Tokyo Police Club's Greatest Hits
We celebrate the legacy of Tokyo Police Club as they announce their farewell.
Thanks for visiting The Wax Museum! Receive our posts in your inbox every week by subscribing below.
Tokyo Police Club, a band that became a cornerstone of the late aughts indie rock scene, are calling it quits at the end of 2024. The Canadian quartet have announced their final two shows as a band, a hometown performance in Toronto on November 28th and 29th. In their own words:
“It’s time for us to say goodbye! This band has meant so much to us for so many years, but all magical things must come to an end. Tokyo Police Club will always stand for the connection we have shared ever since we were teenagers, and it’s brought so many amazing people and moments into our lives. […] Thank you from the bottom of our collective heart for the unbelievable support and inspiration over the years – you will always be a part of the TPC family. See you in the funny pages!” - David Monks, Graham Wright, Josh Hook, and Greg Alsop
During the vibrant era spanning the late 2000s to the early 2010s, I steered the helm of MP3 blog Too Good For Radio, and Tokyo Police Club captured my admiration. Their youthful exuberance, wistful songwriting, and talent for crafting catchy melodies allowed them to stand tall amongst their peers. The band's music was a staple of my college years, providing a soundtrack for many cherished moments.
In tribute to their 18-year career, I have curated a playlist featuring what I believe to be their 15 greatest tracks, presented in chronological order. The playlist includes three songs from their debut EP A Lesson in Crime, five from their first album Elephant Shell, four from Champ, and the opening tracks “Argentina (Parts I, II, III)” and “New Blues” from their late era albums Forcefield and TPC respectively.
🎧 Stream: Tokyo Police Club’s Greatest Hits on Spotify | Apple
For the vinyl collectors, the EP and first two albums are essentials. The EP is long out of print and only available on Discogs for a pretty penny; Elephant Shell just got a colored reissue and is still available on Amazon, while Champ is no longer in print but can be found affordably on Discogs thanks to a bunch of 10th anniversary variants.
Join me in bidding adieu by revisiting these indie rock classics! While it's always bittersweet to see a band part ways, their ability to create lasting bangers cement their status as legends.
Thanks for reading. We have plenty more coming this week, including the best new vinyl releases, and an exciting new feature, so stay tuned and rock on!