Assemblage [Remastered] [ECD] - Japan

Advantages: Still more to come
Disadvantages: Not there yet

...In the first part of their career, Japan had struggled to find a fitting style and sound. Their first album, Adolescent Sex, was a mistake and rushed out by an impatient record company before the band were ready. However, after a short, stadium filling tour of Japan, Ariola herded them back into the studio, the result being the 1979 album Obscure Alternatives. The group had seen Talking Heads while they were away on tour and had been impressed with the intelligence of both the group’s music and their audience. It was an example they wanted to follow, and at the same time Japan were becoming attracted to traditional Eastern music. Obscure Alternatives exposed those interests for the first time, and to good effect. An air of Germanic austerity in some of Sylvian’s songs, such as Suburban Berlin and Deviations, provided a further... Read review

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Advantages: Perfectly formed
Disadvantages: NOne

...Tin Drum, the second album Japan released on Virgin, in 1981, went gold, confirming the band’s best selling status, and in 1982 they enjoyed two top ten singles, Ghosts (from the album) and a re-release by their former record company Ariola of their version of the old Motown classic I Second That Emotion. Tin Drum was also Japan’s most successful album musically and, with its Maoist inspired cover, emphasised their oriental influences. It includes Ghosts, Cantonese Boy, The Art of Parties, Talking Drum, Still Life In mobile Homes and Sons of Pioneers. It is the best work that Japan ever recorded and is the one you should buy if you only want to own one album by Japan. Unfortunately it marked the beginning of the end for the badn and shortly afterwards they were to be no more as the individual members started to fall out and go... Read review

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Advantages: An Excellent re-issue of a fantastic album
Disadvantages: None

...This is the first album that really got me into Japan.It's atmospheric,haunting and timeless.The remastered version is just the icing on the cake.It starts of with the title track Gentlemen Take Polaroids.Which is a stand out track on the album showcasing Dave Sylvians voice perfectly.Slightly moody but just perfect and at 7.09 long a great introduction to the album. Other superb tracks include a bizarre cover of Marvin Gaye's Ain't That Peculiar.It shouldn't work but it does. Nightporter is a beautiful,haunting and incredible ballad.The piano is truly mesmerizing.Then onto to Taking Islands in Africa.To me this is Japan at their best.A truly outstanding track.This is everything you expect Japan to be.Listen to this track in the dark,completely relaxed and just float away. The bonus tracks are The Experience Of Swimming,The Width... Read review

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