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: Duran duran at their best Disadvantages: None
...Nick Rhodes - keyboards Seven and the Ragged Tiger was released in 1983, the third album form the band, and the last one to feature the original line up with Andy Taylor on lead guitar. Duran Duran carried on over the years that followed , with drummer Roger Taylor also leaving the band. A few years ago the original five members got back together and released an album, followed by a successful tour. However, Andy Taylor has since left the band again. ... ...to represent the band. "The Seven is for us - the five band members and two managers - and 'The Ragged Tiger' is success. Seven people running after success. It's ambition. It's what it's about." The album contains nine tracks, three of which were released as singles. By this time the band were also MTV superstars thanks to their previous videos shot in Antigua and Sri Lanka for singles from the 'Rio' album. Their first two albums were both completely ...
Advantages: Classic electro album, remastering adds a real boost Disadvantages: None
Metamatic was the first solo outing from John Foxx after he split with Ultravox! Ultravox! went on to rather greater fame with the replacement lead singer, some Midge Ure guy but for Ultravox! fans, John Foxx was the real deal.
Metamatic deals with many themes and obsessions such as car crashes, Europe, relationships and too much J G Ballard and Philip K Dick which were bouncing around Foxx's head at the time as well as having elements of a story ... ...often full of grey cold imagery but all laced with an almost minimalist electro sound that was years ahead of it's time. It has to be said, he does also write some plain out and out baffling lyrics too - perhaps he uses the old Bowie 'cut up words' technique sometimes?
Unlike the previous CD release which was fine but sounded like it was a bit of a rush job sound wise, this one has been remastered and benefits from a far tighter sound, particularly ...
Excellent performance, tonnes of steam, ventilated ironing board (*)
