Obscure Alternatives [Remastered] [ECD] - Japan

An improvement

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 ...

dave27 09.10.2000 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of Obscure Alternatives [Remastered] [Digipak] [ECD] - Japan

Obscured Nostalgia

Advantages: Dark Graphics / Multiplayer Options
Disadvantages: Linear Gameplay / No Replayability

Despite being playable, the first Obscure game didn't create mega sales or even cause critics to stop and stare. So did we really need a sequel? Does Obscure 2 actually expand on its predecessor to produce a truly horrific, addictive and chill to the bone experience? Well in spite of this, Obscure 2 is actually a hard to find game even though it was released in late 2007. Developed by Hydravision, this sequel to the 2004 original is set 2 years later where the survivors of the Leafmore High tragedy are now attending Fallcreek University. Shannon was able to adapt to the poison that affected her body whilst both Stan and Kenny have to take regular medication to counter the effects. However, life has generally gone back to normal and teenagers will be ? well teenagers. Partying and drug abuse are all part of their extracurricular ...

dan_pentagram 17.06.2008 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Obscure 2 (PS2)

Tin Drum by Japan

Advantages: Play - When you're turning Japanese.
Disadvantages: Don't Play - At the rugby club disco.

This iconic album from the 1980's could be considered cheesey by many. But I adore these smooth electronic sounds from the post-ska-revival days when it was actually desirable for a man to look effeminate, in fact it was the only sure way to pick up a girl. This must be Japan's masterwork and the album delivers sinuous melodies that are dominated throughout by a gloriously expressive fretless bass and consistently inventive percussion. David Sylvian has a china-like vulnerability but his voice has deep and soft harmonics, he spreads his voice over these songs like a chef pours chocolate over the richest of deserts. There are three stand-out tracks on the album, "Ghosts" was the single and is a tortured and lumbering outpouring of a lover's loss. Contracting with this are the signature sounds of "Canton", a completely irrepressible ...

themaninthejar 03.07.2009 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful
Review of Tin Drum [Remastered] - Japan