I hope you're going to go further down the Japan rabbit hole. Pretty much any track from their albums "Gentlemen take polaroids" or "Tin drum" are well worth reacting to. I particularly recommend the songs "Visions of China" and "Still life in mobile homes" from the "Tin drum" album. All of the musicians in the band were very talented but Mick Karn's fretless bass is excellent.
Duran Duran definitely took Japan's sound, put it through their pop attitude and became stars. I don't fault them, they have great pop songs, but this is where they came from. When this album came out, I was hooked. No matter how many times shuffle brings this up during a workout, I'm still in love.
This song was an absolute game changer for me. The first Japan song I heard after buying the album on a whim 20 years ago. I've played Bass for 25 years. At the time my Bass heroes were John Taylor, Norman Watt-Roy and Bernard Edwards. After just the intro of Gentlemen Take Polaroids, I knew I had a new Champion in Mick Karn. Still my favorite Bassist. 20 years later I still can't nail this song to my tastes.
I always love Japan. David Sylvian's voice is one of the smoothest things in the world, and Mick Karn's bass playing is the most sublime bass style that ever was played. Thanks for the review. 😎
Quiet Life, Life in Tokyo, Visions of China, European Son, Cantonese Boy, Ghosts. So many great tracks to choose from and all absolutely brilliant just like Gentleman take Polaroids.
DS and Japan are in my top five favorite performers/musicians. This is such a great song, brings back so many happy memories. I’d love to see you do both this album and Tin Drum song by song. They deserve way more attention than they receive on TH-cam.
This album is brilliant, this is one of favourite songs from them. Nice drumming at the start, The live version of this song is KILLER would recommend you do it.
It's hard to believe that you've never heard this before, as a David Sylvian fan. This was the album that brought Japan to my attention. Wait till you hear Nightporter.
Ty! I actually did Nightporter a while back :D I've only listened to Sylvians solo work (most of it), but never explored Japan (until this channel lol)
This song blew my mind when I heard it first. Every single element of it is perfection in itself, lots of different instruments. And LOVE the Oboe and EBOW solo
Just imagine being about 16 and hearing this. Mind altering is the best I can do. Iconic album which changed British music. I am so glad it is being listened to still. Makes the brain tingle.
Anything from Tin Drum would be amazing, totally unique sounding album, Cantonese Boy is my favourite. Unbelievably for me and every fan of this band, cannot believe that 13th November is the 40th anniversary of the release of Tin Drum! Perfect day to try a track or two!
November 15th, 1980, my friend Tom and I take the bus from Santa Rosa to Berkeley, California just to visit Rasputin's records. As usual, I start on the A's in the rock section. As I near the j section, a Rasputin's employee is stocking the shelf with records. In his hand is the new Japan album. I freak out. Dude, you can hand that straight to me. Thank you. I leave the store with the new Japan album and an album called Golden hour of the Kinks that I got for $3 used. 4 hours later I'm finally home and I put side A on the turntable and this song comes on and I figuratively s*** myself. What a fantastic album. So far ahead of its time. Besides me. I knew about three people that were into Japan. The next weekend I took my album to a party and put it on the turntable. About half the people didn't pay it any attention and the other half were like where's the heavy guitar? Yes, it was ahead of its time.
Always loved this track “…they fall in loooove…” - so perfect. For me, found Japan first then ❤️DS, so it’s interesting to see your Japan reactions. Hey what about doing some of Dali’s Car? (or did you already & I missed…?) Gorgeous stuff there too… only 1 album, collab. of Mick Karn & Peter Murphy (…ohhh the track “Cornwall Stone” is so beautiful).
I can so relate to this because I went through a Japan obsession, after my first love of Kate Bush at 14 and then Siouxsie and the Banshees at 18. I was even more taken with David Sylvian's solo work. His collaboration with Ryuichi Sakamoto on the beautiful Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence soundtrack was also a favourite.
Love this ... brings back so many memories... they were by band in my youth .... saw them live and have all their albums .. on vinyl.. lol showing my age .... keep going well worth it 💯👍... just subbed
What do you throw to the drowning guitarist ? His / Her amplifier. Two guys walked on a street. The other was a musician and the other had no money either.
Glad you're enjoying hearing these songs by Japan, with young David Sylvian as one of a group of fine musicians. By no means the same, but hearing this song again today, I can hear a strong influence from Roxy Music's song, "Out of the Blue". And agree with the comment from Smart Cookie, about the echoes and influence on Japan of both David Bowie and Bryan Ferry, two cornerstones of the art rock/glam period who influenced so much of what came later.
Surprised you didn't bring up the Brian Ferry/David Bowie obvious influences like you did with Jim Kerr, which are more evident with Japan than they were with Simple Minds. Still, Japan were an excellent band in their right, just as Simple Minds were with their first four albums.
Enjoy Japan's music, mostly, but can't say I think there's anything particularly special about it. David Sylvian has an interestingly haunted sound to his voice but again I don't hear much more than you get from, for example, Bryan Ferry? Would love to hear your views of Rupert Hine, the 'Immunity' album in particular. From the same general musical sphere but more upbeat and positive. Some interesting contributions from Phil Collins and Marianne Faithfull.
Please more Japan & DS... Got into Japan around late 79 and my love of Sylvians career has never wained... I was very much into the electronic scene at the time but these days most bands and there music have not dated well (at least to my ears), besides Japan my main exception is OMD (Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark), I still find their 'Architecture and Morality) album a must...
@@mariosandri4010 both actually 😄 I know the commercial Midge Ure years of Ultravox get a lot of bashing by serious music fans, but enjoy it both, the arty beginnings and the catchy pop stuff.
@@murdockreviews I understand your point, but Midge Ure's are just another pleasant pop act, while John Foxx's made some of the most clever and enthralling music of the late 70's.
Justin has already done the title track "Vienna". From the John Foxx era he could do the whole Systems of Romance album and from the Midge Ure era the whole Rage in Eden album because I think those two are the most successful Ultravox albums in my opinion.
I have this album, loved Japan and love this song. Some people say Nick Rhodes from Duran Duran copied David Sylvian's Japan look back then. I guess because he admired his work so much.
Oh thank flip! Japan, a top band, and a fine example of that; art, new wave, synth pop, prevalent around this period. Good melody (not overly complex), but throw in Karn's excellent fretless, and Sylvian's rich, and mellifluous vocals and we have a great song here. * I love Sylvian too. So JP, how about adding 'Gone To Earth' to the subscriber target list (pretend you've not heard it), a superb double album. You'd be doing your viewers who've not heard it a big favour :)
Assuming you haven't already heard it (which I find hard to believe) I'd suggest Cantonese Boy from the Tin Drum album. The syncopated punchy keyboard line and Mick Karn's wonderful bass make it a well deserved hit.
This song is a classic example of what Rob Dean spoke about when talking about the song In-Vogue - when they got into a groove, they just kept on going. Whilst GTP is cool perfection, you must must lsten to ealier stuff. Quiet Life (the album) is, in my opinion, the most significant album of the post punk, new wave era and influenced so many bands like Duran Duran and Spandau Ballet. But do go back further - Obscure Alternatives is still a brilliant album, raw and rough round the edges but so Japan...
I've given you a like for the drum intro, this song/music sounds a bit like too many other things I've heard before.... Hope everyone has had a great weekend! 😊
I like this title-track, but I find the length of the song not justified for what it is because there is not much going on in it and the atmosphere is not really hypnotic so the composition could have been shortened A half. My favorite tracks on this album are "My New Career", "Methods Of Dance", "Taking Islands In Africa" as well as the cover "Ain't That Peculiar". As for guitarist Rob Dean, I find that he is better represented on the previous album, Quiet Life, whereas on the Gentleman Take Polaroids album his participation is subdued and his guitar parts less prominent.
A UNIQUE CLASSIC THAT WILL HIT YOU DIFFERENT,, TIMBUK 3 "LIFE IS HARD" (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO A MUST)..Or Watch It On Your Own After,, Just As Long As You Get To Catch The Visuals,, Because It Adds To The Song.
@@mikewest1542 It actually means that they're both magnificent. Japan's Nightporter is one of my all time favourite songs, and since the release I'm bewitched by Secrets of the Beehive.
Again, another classy 80s pop tune. Congratulations on picking the good stuff as there was also a lot of dross from this era. I also note that most of what you choose from the early 80s is UK based. Is that because you're already familiar with the US stuff or do you naturally prefer the UK 'sound'?
I wonder if you are trolling me now. Last night, 11 hours before I watched this, I had mentioned this song. If the second song today is either Bruce Cockburn's "You don't have to play the horses"* or Roxy Music's "True to life" then I will know it is a fact. This is pretty good. It makes me think of a great house party in the 1980s. Great review as per usual. * Bruce discovers the banjo.
I personally rate their live album, 'Oil on Canvas' as their best album. If you want a 'sort of' greatest hits source, have a listen to the album 'Assemblage'. It's a great album and contains most of their hits, although it's not really a greatest hits album. Some of the tracks were only released as singles, after being included on the album. Dave Sylvian's solo work is worth checking out too. I particularly love 'Red Guitar'. Japan were often described as the thinking person's Duran Duran, though they were around before Duran Duran and were an influence on both them and on the whole emerging synth pop/rock genre. They produced some truly great work though, being somewhat arty and experimental, they also produced some self-indulgent tosh. That's the price you pay though, with artists willing to take risks. Be assured that their good stuff easily outweighs their bad, by quite some margin. Btw, yes, they were big in Japan. :)
I think GTP is topnotch and the song introduces the album so well with a sort of Japan noir taking us where there are strange uncertainties. It doesn't feel romantic getaway to me at all, the sound more rainy street detective. Always has. Not sure why.
Mick Karn killing on bass as usual. Oh, and using your smartphone to takes pictures is just not as cool as taking polaroids. Actually, smartphones are not cool at all.
Gentle Take Polaroids, the ladies strike a pose. But drumming up our support? It doesn't hurt I suppose. It's Fall here in New England, I must go and blow my nose. Nice tune, just not one I would have chose. On to the day and I say Peace in close.
A band that never got the credit they deserved, okay there are comparisons to early Roxy Music but by the time Japan came along Roxy had turned too bland and smooth for a lot of their fans and Japan filled a gap for those who preferred the more experimental stuff.
Honestly, sometimes David’s voice is too warm fudgie. Otherwise, the song as a whole was enjoyable. At the moment, 80s stuff is just so so to me… then it’ll hit me, play my 80s playlist three days in a row. Sorry, I have to be in the mood, I’m not a light switch, gosh! Still coming off the glow of Sancious, Hammill, and Eldorado. I’ll even listen to Talk Talk or Karma Chameleon… Peace and glowing Music
I hope you're going to go further down the Japan rabbit hole. Pretty much any track from their albums "Gentlemen take polaroids" or "Tin drum" are well worth reacting to. I particularly recommend the songs "Visions of China" and "Still life in mobile homes" from the "Tin drum" album. All of the musicians in the band were very talented but Mick Karn's fretless bass is excellent.
Don't forget Sons of Pioneers. Probably my favorite of an album where I love every single song.
I have been listening to Japan since I was 16 in 1981 amazing
Same and same age
Duran Duran definitely took Japan's sound, put it through their pop attitude and became stars. I don't fault them, they have great pop songs, but this is where they came from. When this album came out, I was hooked. No matter how many times shuffle brings this up during a workout, I'm still in love.
They, especially Nick Rhodes, basically said as much. He and John Taylor were definitely fans.
This song was an absolute game changer for me. The first Japan song I heard after buying the album on a whim 20 years ago. I've played Bass for 25 years. At the time my Bass heroes were John Taylor, Norman Watt-Roy and Bernard Edwards. After just the intro of Gentlemen Take Polaroids, I knew I had a new Champion in Mick Karn. Still my favorite Bassist.
20 years later I still can't nail this song to my tastes.
Hot damn I would give anything to be able to hear these classic Japan songs for the first time again.
Mick karns bass is so silky and relaxing
It really is, love it!
Television from adolescent sex is well worth a listen, sort of disowned by Sylvian, but interesting to hear them in their early days.
That track is 43 years old - incredible 🙂
I always love Japan. David Sylvian's voice is one of the smoothest things in the world, and Mick Karn's bass playing is the most sublime bass style that ever was played. Thanks for the review. 😎
Quiet Life, Life in Tokyo, Visions of China, European Son, Cantonese Boy, Ghosts. So many great tracks to choose from and all absolutely brilliant just like Gentleman take Polaroids.
The live version of this on TH-cam is fantastic with mick Karn doing his sideways moonwalk. So cool
DS and Japan are in my top five favorite performers/musicians. This is such a great song, brings back so many happy memories. I’d love to see you do both this album and Tin Drum song by song. They deserve way more attention than they receive on TH-cam.
This album is brilliant, this is one of favourite songs from them. Nice drumming at the start, The live version of this song is KILLER would recommend you do it.
It's hard to believe that you've never heard this before, as a David Sylvian fan. This was the album that brought Japan to my attention. Wait till you hear Nightporter.
Ty! I actually did Nightporter a while back :D I've only listened to Sylvians solo work (most of it), but never explored Japan (until this channel lol)
@@JustJP Nightporter is so beautiful. Might be my favorite.
@@falcongal63 That one and Methods of dance ;)
Nightporter. Omg, this album changed my life.
This song blew my mind when I heard it first. Every single element of it is perfection in itself, lots of different instruments. And LOVE the Oboe and EBOW solo
Big Japan fan here, had all of their records. 😁❤️
Japan's music style is unique.
Just imagine being about 16 and hearing this. Mind altering is the best I can do. Iconic album which changed British music. I am so glad it is being listened to still. Makes the brain tingle.
Speaking Of Japan & Classics,, A MUST HEAR CLASSIC,, THE VAPORS "TURNING JAPANESE"
Possibly my favourite Japan track other than Swing.
Relax and swing! You got hooked, i also did like a fly on the flytrap since the start...40 years now i go back and hear it all again Japan and Solo!
My favorite song and album by Japan. That fretless bass is everything.
Anything from Tin Drum would be amazing, totally unique sounding album, Cantonese Boy is my favourite. Unbelievably for me and every fan of this band, cannot believe that 13th November is the 40th anniversary of the release of Tin Drum! Perfect day to try a track or two!
‘He’s crashing out with Sylvian,, the bureau supply for ageing men’
Not David Sylvian though. Refers to Carl Jung and something called the Sylvian fissure! 🤷♂️
I love and grew up with Japan. It was great cause Quiet Life and Gentlemen Take Poloroids cane out within a year of each other. Both great
November 15th, 1980, my friend Tom and I take the bus from Santa Rosa to Berkeley, California just to visit Rasputin's records. As usual, I start on the A's in the rock section. As I near the j section, a Rasputin's employee is stocking the shelf with records. In his hand is the new Japan album. I freak out. Dude, you can hand that straight to me. Thank you. I leave the store with the new Japan album and an album called Golden hour of the Kinks that I got for $3 used. 4 hours later I'm finally home and I put side A on the turntable and this song comes on and I figuratively s*** myself. What a fantastic album. So far ahead of its time. Besides me. I knew about three people that were into Japan. The next weekend I took my album to a party and put it on the turntable. About half the people didn't pay it any attention and the other half were like where's the heavy guitar? Yes, it was ahead of its time.
Thats an awesome story Stephen! Gotta love the feeling of bringing home some new music!
Always loved this track “…they fall in loooove…” - so perfect. For me, found Japan first then ❤️DS, so it’s interesting to see your Japan reactions. Hey what about doing some of Dali’s Car? (or did you already & I missed…?) Gorgeous stuff there too… only 1 album, collab. of Mick Karn & Peter Murphy (…ohhh the track “Cornwall Stone” is so beautiful).
I can so relate to this because I went through a Japan obsession, after my first love of Kate Bush at 14 and then Siouxsie and the Banshees at 18. I was even more taken with David Sylvian's solo work. His collaboration with Ryuichi Sakamoto on the beautiful Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence soundtrack was also a favourite.
JP you just pick some really wonderful left field pieces from my youth - amazing
Last album to feature guitarist Rob Dean.
Love this ... brings back so many memories... they were by band in my youth .... saw them live and have all their albums .. on vinyl.. lol showing my age .... keep going well worth it 💯👍... just subbed
Great review! This is one of my favorite songs.
A collaboration Sylvian did with Tweaker is definitely worth a listen -
'Linoleum'. th-cam.com/video/7K9JTj7oRXQ/w-d-xo.html
The first two Japan albums are stunning and never bettered
The live version of this on TH-cam is a must watch, mick karns sideways moonwalk is superb.
I never knew you played drums! I’ve got a drummer joke:
“What do you call a guy who hangs out with musicians?”
“A drummer”
What do you throw to the drowning guitarist ? His / Her amplifier.
Two guys walked on a street. The other was a musician and the other had no money either.
How do you know that the stage is level? The drummer is drooling out of both sides of his mouth.
@@pentagrammaton6793 LOL 🤣🤣
🤭
How many drummers does it take to screw in a lightbulb? Ten--one to hold the bulb, and nine to drink until the room spins!
Still magical to me :) Calming - one of my go-to places.
Good call Justin. One of their best albums. If you havent already listened to Adolescent Sex, their debut, I hghly recommend it.
Glad you're enjoying hearing these songs by Japan, with young David Sylvian as one of a group of fine musicians. By no means the same, but hearing this song again today, I can hear a strong influence from Roxy Music's song, "Out of the Blue".
And agree with the comment from Smart Cookie, about the echoes and influence on Japan of both David Bowie and Bryan Ferry, two cornerstones of the art rock/glam period who influenced so much of what came later.
The song that brought Japan to my attention in 1980. Loved them from then. Always pleased to se you doing a DS or Japan reaction.
Surprised you didn't bring up the Brian Ferry/David Bowie obvious influences like you did with Jim Kerr, which are more evident with Japan than they were with Simple Minds. Still, Japan were an excellent band in their right, just as Simple Minds were with their first four albums.
Taking Islands in Africa is my favourite track from this album. In my early twenties, I wanted to look like Richard Barbieri, haha.
I bought the album, possibly when it was current, or when the following one ,Tin Drum, came out, but I still think this is one of the best songs ever.
Enjoy Japan's music, mostly, but can't say I think there's anything particularly special about it. David Sylvian has an interestingly haunted sound to his voice but again I don't hear much more than you get from, for example, Bryan Ferry? Would love to hear your views of Rupert Hine, the 'Immunity' album in particular. From the same general musical sphere but more upbeat and positive. Some interesting contributions from Phil Collins and Marianne Faithfull.
the only thing 'special' was at the time, one of the very, very few bands who could actually play
Please more Japan & DS... Got into Japan around late 79 and my love of Sylvians career has never wained... I was very much into the electronic scene at the time but these days most bands and there music have not dated well (at least to my ears), besides Japan my main exception is OMD (Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark), I still find their 'Architecture and Morality) album a must...
Great choice, also try Japan‘s Tin Drum and David Sylvian‘s early solo works.
Oh I've head em :)
You should react to the song 'Methods of Dance' next from that same album, 'Gentlemen Take Polaroids.'
Just love them.
My new career is my favourite Japan song.
I really suggest you should add early Gary Numan and Ultravox to your reactions, given how you enjoy this and Duran Duran.
I guess you mean John Foxx's Ultravox!, not Midge Ure's.
@@mariosandri4010 both actually 😄
I know the commercial Midge Ure years of Ultravox get a lot of bashing by serious music fans, but enjoy it both, the arty beginnings and the catchy pop stuff.
@@murdockreviews I understand your point, but Midge Ure's are just another pleasant pop act, while John Foxx's made some of the most clever and enthralling music of the late 70's.
Justin has already done the title track "Vienna".
From the John Foxx era he could do the whole Systems of Romance album and from the Midge Ure era the whole Rage in Eden album because I think those two are the most successful Ultravox albums in my opinion.
@@a.k.1740 good suggestions 🙂
I have this album, loved Japan and love this song. Some people say Nick Rhodes from Duran Duran copied David Sylvian's Japan look back then. I guess because he admired his work so much.
Oh thank flip! Japan, a top band, and a fine example of that; art, new wave, synth pop, prevalent around this period. Good melody (not overly complex), but throw in Karn's excellent fretless, and Sylvian's rich, and mellifluous vocals and we have a great song here. * I love Sylvian too. So JP, how about adding 'Gone To Earth' to the subscriber target list (pretend you've not heard it), a superb double album. You'd be doing your viewers who've not heard it a big favour :)
They were a great band. :)
@@pentagrammaton6793 They were indeed.
JP the Sylvian SuperFan. He probably wrote the remaster sleeve notes.
a Sylvian Channel ?wouldn’t put it past him!
@@HippoYnYGlaw Haha, you're probably right re the notes. Now a JP, Sylvian channel, i'd happily watch that :)
I've thought about doing some albums reviews for Sylvians solo stuff, probably will in the future :)
It's quite something to see your immersion in Japan, in a matter of fact way 🙂
It's great as is the album and the band, that's my opinion.
Love David Sylvian but way before that I loved Japan.
My first album was Oil on canvas (live).
Assuming you haven't already heard it (which I find hard to believe) I'd suggest Cantonese Boy from the Tin Drum album. The syncopated punchy keyboard line and Mick Karn's wonderful bass make it a well deserved hit.
This song is a classic example of what Rob Dean spoke about when talking about the song In-Vogue - when they got into a groove, they just kept on going. Whilst GTP is cool perfection, you must must lsten to ealier stuff. Quiet Life (the album) is, in my opinion, the most significant album of the post punk, new wave era and influenced so many bands like Duran Duran and Spandau Ballet. But do go back further - Obscure Alternatives is still a brilliant album, raw and rough round the edges but so Japan...
Is that Steve Jansen on the pads?!! Love it m8.
😁
I've given you a like for the drum intro, this song/music sounds a bit like too many other things I've heard before....
Hope everyone has had a great weekend! 😊
Much appreciated! Hope you have a great weekend too!
I like this title-track, but I find the length of the song not justified for what it is because there is not much going on in it and the atmosphere is not really hypnotic so the composition could have been shortened A half.
My favorite tracks on this album are "My New Career", "Methods Of Dance", "Taking Islands In Africa" as well as the cover "Ain't That Peculiar".
As for guitarist Rob Dean, I find that he is better represented on the previous album, Quiet Life, whereas on the Gentleman Take Polaroids album his participation is subdued and his guitar parts less prominent.
There was a “7” single version which was much shortened as I seem to remember!
@@mikewest1542 Yes, for once the edited version released as a single is more than sufficient for what it is !
I love Rob Deans guitar on this track !
An Old Friend Wants To See You Again My Music Lovin Brother (Lol) THE STRANGLERS "WALK ON BY",, "SKIN DEEP" & "STRANGE LITTLE GIRL"
I think you've summed it up quite nicely JP.
Well ty :)
A UNIQUE CLASSIC THAT WILL HIT YOU DIFFERENT,, TIMBUK 3 "LIFE IS HARD"
(OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO A MUST)..Or Watch It On Your Own After,, Just As Long As You Get To Catch The Visuals,, Because It Adds To The Song.
The key to Japan is Mick Karn. Yes Sylvian has the distinctive voice but if you take Karn out it's a completely different vibe.
You can't have one without the other
I wonder if you have reacted to Porcupine Tree? I shall investigate.
Love Sylvian.
Its a brilliant song
Songs like this showcase why Japan are Japan and David Sylvian is David Sylvian. No further explaination required.
Does that mean you prefer to Japan to Sylvian ?
@@mikewest1542 It actually means that they're both magnificent. Japan's Nightporter is one of my all time favourite songs, and since the release I'm bewitched by Secrets of the Beehive.
Again, another classy 80s pop tune. Congratulations on picking the good stuff as there was also a lot of dross from this era. I also note that most of what you choose from the early 80s is UK based. Is that because you're already familiar with the US stuff or do you naturally prefer the UK 'sound'?
Mmm, never quite thought about it. I probably am more familiar with US 80's stuff, so just exploring what I haven't heard/heard of
Check out the Ethan Callender video of this song "LIVE from Hammersmith Odean 1983". Master Class on stage. ✝ RIP Mick Karn✝
I wonder if you are trolling me now. Last night, 11 hours before I watched this, I had mentioned this song. If the second song today is either Bruce Cockburn's "You don't have to play the horses"* or Roxy Music's "True to life" then I will know it is a fact.
This is pretty good. It makes me think of a great house party in the 1980s. Great review as per usual.
* Bruce discovers the banjo.
p.s. if you are taking polaroids, you aren't selling the negatives.
I personally rate their live album, 'Oil on Canvas' as their best album. If you want a 'sort of' greatest hits source, have a listen to the album 'Assemblage'. It's a great album and contains most of their hits, although it's not really a greatest hits album. Some of the tracks were only released as singles, after being included on the album. Dave Sylvian's solo work is worth checking out too. I particularly love 'Red Guitar'. Japan were often described as the thinking person's Duran Duran, though they were around before Duran Duran and were an influence on both them and on the whole emerging synth pop/rock genre. They produced some truly great work though, being somewhat arty and experimental, they also produced some self-indulgent tosh. That's the price you pay though, with artists willing to take risks. Be assured that their good stuff easily outweighs their bad, by quite some margin. Btw, yes, they were big in Japan. :)
I think GTP is topnotch and the song introduces the album so well with a sort of Japan noir taking us where there are strange uncertainties. It doesn't feel romantic getaway to me at all, the sound more rainy street detective. Always has. Not sure why.
Mick Karn killing on bass as usual. Oh, and using your smartphone to takes pictures is just not as cool as taking polaroids. Actually, smartphones are not cool at all.
Nice drumming. Grear track.. Try Elder, Blind
Gentle Take Polaroids, the ladies strike a pose. But drumming up our support? It doesn't hurt I suppose. It's Fall here in New England, I must go and blow my nose. Nice tune, just not one I would have chose. On to the day and I say Peace in close.
Classic Album. Even for the cover art work alone and arty sounding pretentious title.......Few better, ever.
You got to play in my band
A band that never got the credit they deserved, okay there are comparisons to early Roxy Music but by the time Japan came along Roxy had turned too bland and smooth for a lot of their fans and Japan filled a gap for those who preferred the more experimental stuff.
I know Justin is a massive Sylvian fan but I do prefer Japan much more as I much prefer Utopia to Todd Rundgren !
Honestly, sometimes David’s voice is too warm fudgie. Otherwise, the song as a whole was enjoyable. At the moment, 80s stuff is just so so to me… then it’ll hit me, play my 80s playlist three days in a row. Sorry, I have to be in the mood, I’m not a light switch, gosh!
Still coming off the glow of Sancious, Hammill, and Eldorado.
I’ll even listen to Talk Talk or Karma Chameleon…
Peace and glowing Music
Karma karma karma karma karma chameleon...
@@JustJP
See, I didn’t wince once.
@@-davidolivares 😅
Wonderful album, the title track might be the weakest one imo.
I'm not a fan of the vocal melody of the chorus. In time it would grow on me.
Still can't give them their due - they just sound like a poor man's Roxy Music. No discernible originality.
But...but its David Sylvian😥😥😥(😉)
Yeah. Right. And Tin Drum has no originality - it's just a ripoff of The Sweet!