Japan was an English new wave band that released five albums between 1978 and 1981. They formed in 1974 when brothers David Sylvian and Steve Jansen teamed with their school friend Mick Karn, whose fretless basslines dominate the band’s later releases. Musically, Japan’s output falls into three distinct phases: the subterranean buzz of their guitar-based […]
Titles is the debut solo album by English composer/multi-instrumentalist Mick Karn, released in 1982 on Virgin. Enlisting the help of Japan cohorts Steve Jansen and Richard Barbieri on several cuts, the album was recorded in the final weeks of that band’s existence. Tracklist: A1. “Tribal Dawn” (4:05) A2. “Lost Affections in a Room” (4:10) A3. “Passion […]
Tin Drum is the fifth album by English art-rock/New Wave band Japan, released in 1981 on Virgin. Tracklist: A1. “The Art of Parties” (4:09)* A2. “Talking Drum” (3:34) A3. “Ghosts” (4:33) A4. “Canton” (5:30) B1. “Still Life in Mobile Homes” (5:32) B2. “Visions of China” (3:37) B3. “Sons of Pioneers” (7:07) B4. “Cantonese Boy” (3:44) […]
Quiet Life is the third album by English art-rock/New Wave band Japan, released in December 1979 on Hansa. Tracklist: A1. “Quiet Life” (4:53) A2. “Fall in Love with Me” (4:31) A3. “Despair” (5:56) A4. “In Vogue” (6:30) B1. “Halloween” (4:24) B2. “All Tomorrow’s Parties” (5:43) B3. “Alien” (5:01) B4. “The Other Side of Life” (7:26) […]
Gentlemen Take Polaroids is the fourth album by English art-rock/New Wave band Japan, released in 1980 on Virgin. Tracklist: A1. “Gentlemen Take Polaroids” (7:08) A2. “Swing” (6:23) A3. “Burning Bridges” (5:23) A4. “My New Career” (3:52) B1. “Methods of Dance” (6:53) B2. “Ain’t That Peculiar” (4:40) B3. “Nightporter” (6:57) B4. “Taking Islands in Africa” (5:12) […]
