Advantages: Incredible songwriting and performances Disadvantages: The title track
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.
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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 ... ...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 Japanese-styled instrumental and the heavily bass-grooved "Visions of China".
You will not have anything else like this ...
Advantages: arguably the greatest album in the world Disadvantages: none at all
...you prefer, God. The extremely long fade is a masterful stroke and almost makes the listener wonder if the song was ever there at all. Spirit Of Eden takes the listener on an amazingly emotional journey. It is quite possibly the greatest album I have ever heard. ...
Advantages: Superb follow up album Disadvantages: None
The Anvil is the follow up to Visage's first eponymous album.For a follow up album this is rare that it is even better then the first.It features the singles Night Train and the haunting Damned Don't Cry.Every track on here is excellent.No dodgy album fillers.Other outstanding tracks are Look What They've Done and Again We Love,which should really have been a single.It does feature the single version of The Anvil which was the B-Side to the Non album ... ...better than their first album.
This album tends to be a lot more dancier and is a well crafted synth pop album.It was boding well for future Visage projects which were unfortunately not to be.
The whole package is sublime,The songs,The Production and the packaging.Very stylish.To get this on cd now is proving harder and harder but if you can get hold of a copy then grab it with both hands.You will not be disappointed in the least. ...
Advantages: Duran Duran at their raw best Disadvantages: Only 9 tracks, just not long enough!!!!!
Duran Duran is the first release by the birmingham based band and is by far in my opinion their most exciting work.
With the singles girls on film and planet earth which do not sound at all dated some 24 years later the album starts brilliantly. Other tracks less well known to non "duranies" but great all the same are friends of mine and nightboat . Having listened to this album first as a 13 year old i would say it changed my idea of music and ...
Excellent performance, tonnes of steam, ventilated ironing board (*)
