Japan
Compilation album by
Japan
Released1 March 1982[1]
Recorded1980–1981
Genre
Length43:16
LabelEpic
Producer
  • Japan
  • John Punter
Japan chronology
Tin Drum
(1981)		 Japan
(1982)		 Oil On Canvas
(1983)

Japan is an album by the British band Japan, released in the United States in March 1982 on the Epic Records label. It was the first US release of the band's material recorded for Virgin Records in the UK (Obscure Alternatives, on Ariola Records, had already been released in the US), and was a combination of most of Tin Drum with three tracks from Gentlemen Take Polaroids. It was released at a time when the band was beginning to break up. Despite the group's popularity in Europe and Asia, and a cult following in the US, the album did not break into the Billboard 200 chart. However, it did peak at number 204 on the Bubbling Under the Top LPs chart.[2]

Reception

The album was reviewed in Billboard: "Coming in with its own version of stylish rock years ahead of Soft Cell, Human League, etc. yet behind Bowie and Roxy Music, Japan has gotten lost in the cracks. This album, though derivative, shows what Americans have been missing. This is well-played dance music which is also thought provoking because of its Far Eastern feel."[3]

Reviewing for Musician, J. D. Considine wrote, "Instead of the cool, glassy textures and rigid rhythmic structure of most synth-rock, Japan has achieved a soft, almost organic sound reminiscent of Brian Eno's Another Green World or Before And After Science. At its worst, this is just high-tech atmosphere music with David Sylvian's dark, Bryan Ferry-ish crooning adding just the right touch of melancholy. Mostly, though, Japan's deft mixture of synthetics, ethnic touches (like the African drums on "Talking Islands In Africa" or the dida on "Visions Of China") and unconventional dance rhythms makes for compelling listening."[4]

Track listing

All tracks are written by David Sylvian, except where noted

Side one
No.TitleLength
1."The Art of Parties"4:15
2."Talking Drum"3:30
3."Ghosts" (alternate edit)4:18
4."Gentlemen Take Polaroids"7:02
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
5."Still Life in Mobile Homes" 5:30
6."Visions of China"Steve Jansen, Sylvian3:36
7."Taking Islands in Africa" (Steve Nye remix)Ryuichi Sakamoto, Sylvian4:51
8."Swing" 6:18
9."Cantonese Boy" 3:46
Total length:43:16

Personnel

Musicians

Technical

  • Japan – producers tracks: A1 to A3, B1 to B2, B5, remix track B3
  • John Punter – producer, engineer tracks A4 & B4
  • Steve Nye – engineer tracks: A1 to A3, B1 to B3, B5, remix track B3
  • Renate Blauel – assistant engineer
  • Colin Fairley – engineer tracks A4 & B4
  • Nigel Walker – engineer tracks A4 & B4
  • Steve Prestage – engineer tracks A4 & B4
  • John Berg – artwork, design
  • Fin Costello – photography
  • Mastered at Columbia NY

Charts

Chart (1982) Peak
position
US Bubbling Under the Top LPs (Billboard)[2] 204
US Cash Box Top 200 Albums[5] 157
US Record World 200 Albums[6] 184

References

  1. ↑ "New Releases" (PDF). FMQB. 26 February 1982. p. 27. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
  2. 1 2 "Bubbling Under the Top LPs" (PDF). Billboard. 3 April 1982. p. 72. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
  3. ↑ "Billboard's Recommended LPs" (PDF). Billboard. 13 March 1982. p. 63. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
  4. ↑ "Human League: Dare (A&M); Japan: Japan (Virgin/Epic)". Musician. June 1982. Retrieved 19 February 2021 – via Rock's Backpages.
  5. ↑ "Cash Box Top Albums" (PDF). Cash Box. 3 April 1982. p. 55. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
  6. ↑ "Record World Albums" (PDF). Record World. 10 April 1982. p. 45. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
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