Here's a piece on the topic:
: Released on June 12, 2001, specifically for the North American market via Alive Records thee michelle gun elephant 2001 rar top
"Top tracks from The Michelle Gun Elephant's 2001 release: Here's a piece on the topic: : Released
Summary
Furthermore, the band disbanded in 2003 (with frontman Futoshi Abe forming The Birthday, and later passing away in 2023). Since Abe’s death, interest in TMGE has skyrocketed, but so has the removal of their obscure material from legal streaming. Consequently, the 2001 RAR files circulating on private trackers and blogs have become the "archival standard" for new fans. interest in TMGE has skyrocketed