Japan - Tin Drum
|
Our Price: $11.98 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Buy Used: from $5.60 (click here) Category: Music CD See more new music releases 
|
|---|
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store
Canadian Music Store
Free Music Notes for Tin Drum
Free Music Review: The best of Japan's material.
Hit: 5 Stars
Tin Drum" was the album where Japan finally hit their stride-- the two strongest forces in the band had found their own voices-- David Sylvian's compositions combined drastically separated influences like Roxy Music, Erik Satie, and Eastern Asian traditional musics to form something wholly other, supported in large part by the unique, rubbery fretless bass playing of Mick Karn. Even at this early point in his career, no one sounded like Karn. And with the departure of Rob Dean, there was little concession for guitar playing-- when its present, its more atmospheric and tasteful-- a radical departure from the N.Y. Dolls glam of their first album, which came out just three years prior.
But taste and atmosphere and arrangements are really the key here-- consider the album's standout-- "Ghosts". Steve Jansen (a master of understatement at the percussion chair) plays a simple marimba line, under which Sylvian and synth man Richard Barbieri play simple hazes. While Sylvian's voice had not yet finished developing, his passionate croon is emotional and effecting. Contrast this piece withe the traditional Chinese sounds of "Canton"-- which could have been written (and for that matter performed) centuries before were it not for the squeaky presence of Karn's bass.
Much of the rest of the album is dancey rhythmically, with Jansen maintaining understated pumped up beats and Karn digging way deep into a groove and producing several stunning bass lines ("Talking Drum", "Still Life in Mobile Homes", "Visions of China"). But to my ears, the other standout on the record is "Sons of Pioneers"-- similar in mood and feel to "Ghosts", cowritten by Karn and Sylvian, this one is driven by a haunting bass line and tribal percussion and again shows the band has mastered this dark mood. Its really quite a shame they split up after this one-- both Sylvian's "Brilliant Trees" and Karn's "Titles" and Dali's Car project would have benefited greatly from the other contributing.
This reissue was done fully under the control of David Sylvian. Sonically, its flawless-- the Virgin reissues of the Japan/Sylvian catalog could have been recorded yesterday in an all-digital studio. The only other comment I'd make is to say it might be worth digging up the limited edition release which contained a bonus disc-- if you're new to Japan, this one's fine, if you're an old hand with them, you'll probably want the limited edition (but then again, you probably have it).
Overall, "Tin Drum" is really a superb album-- definitely the best the band did in my assessment. This reissue only makes it sound better.
Free Music Review: Attention ALL music lovers!
Hit: 5 Stars
As a teenager working in the world of radio in the 80's, I recognized the brilliance of Japan. This was definitely a band that stood out as genius in a sea of uniqueness at the time. If I had been able, I would have loved to expose the mainstream airwaves to the pleasures of Japan. Limited by a top 10 mainstream format on air, I was unable to share...Alas, the internet! This is a must have. I don't care WHAT type of music you listen to. Genius is genius!Free Music Review: Great, Inventive Album That Changed Music History
Hit: 4 Stars
Although Japan was a "run of the mill" British pop group in the early 80s, their music was NOT! I really like this album...especially "Still Life in Mobile Homes," which was curiously left off of their "Best of" collection. The only reason I wouldn't give this album 5 starts is because it's fairly repetative, as far as the songs. Most of them sound quite similar and it does get a bit tiresome (except, of course, for "Ghosts," which was the defining moment of their career).Free Music Review: Remastered NOT Expanded
Hit: 4 Stars
Amazon's product description listed this cd as having the 4 bonus tracks on it. Well, I just received my copy and it does not. That sucks because the single version of "the art of parties" is superior to the album version. Oh well. At least it is remastered. I also bought "Gentlemen take polaroids" and "Quiet Life" and they did match the descriptions.