Gentlemen Take Polaroids [Remastered] - Japan

Japan left behind their post punk aggression completely after the slightly schizophrenic "Quiet Life" and became one of the most original groups in English pop with their fourth release, "Gentlemen take polaroids". Gone are the screaming guitars and raucous vocals and in is a more sophisticated sound and musical style. Things that were hinted at on "Quiet life" now took centre stage as the still young band began to craft intelligent and evocative ...
...like no-one else and whilst they were dumped in with the new romantic fad, they were nothing like it. The five piece (David Sylvian - vocals. Steve Jansen - drums. Mick karn - Bass. Richard Barbieri - synths. Rob dean - guitar) recorded in Air and Townhouse Studios in London in 1980 under the production eye of John Punter. The results divide fans as to whether this or "Tin drum" is their best offering. It is certainly better than it's predecessors. ...

graememt 20.12.2006 · Read full review
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Review of Gentlemen Take Polaroids [Remastered] - Japan

...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 ...
...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 Of A Room and the Steve Nye remix of Taking Islands In Africa.The Experience of Swimming was on the B-side of Cantonese Boy originally and I was so pleased to see it on this remastered version and to be able to get it on CD.No singing,just an instrumental track but just stunning.The ...

squeakyboy 14.12.2006 · Read full review
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Review of Gentlemen Take Polaroids [Remastered] - Japan

...careers before the release of Gentlemen Take Polaroids in late 1980. Early on they had combined a curious style, verging on heavy metal, with a stage presence something after the fashion of the New York Dolls. Their albums has seen them gradually change that style and become more individual. The 1980 album finally managed to turn the critical tide; it proved a strong seller although, ironically, it was a rather patchy affair. It was also becoming ...
...out of step with Japan’s new synthesiser laden sounds - he featured on only four tracks on the album and was soon to split to work with Gary Numan. The album was probably their best so far, but the group had still not really assumed the massive proportions they were soon to achieve. ...

dave27 09.10.2000 · Read full review
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Review of Gentlemen Take Polaroids [Remastered] - Japan