ebuzzmiller
ebuzzmiller
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Essential 80's Tracks, Part 26

Posted over 5 years ago
If you're interested in seeing the band that Duran Duran got their look, sound, and pretty much all their early ideas from, check this live video out. Japan probably isn't as good looking as Duran Duran, but otherwise, they're a far superior band artistically. Their 1980 album "Gentlemen Take Polaroids" is probably their best work, and a good place to start if you want to check Japan out.
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Comments (6)

  1. RevUp64
    RevUp64 says Japan were the best! This probably is their best album, but the ones before and after ("Quiet Life" and "Tin Drum") are also excellent. I don't think Duran Duran has ever admitted to being influenced by Japan but it's impossible not to hear it. One listen to "Gentlemen..." and Duran's first album should convince anyone. Superb choice!
    Permalink posted 09/11/2006
  2. dragonhead
    dragonhead says Japan, Japan , Japan. Never tire of Sylvian's stuff, ever. Absolute genius from start to finish. He just keeps getting better and better. The Nine Horses album from last year is a "must-have" for everybody's collection.
    Permalink posted 09/11/2006
  3. ebuzzmiller
    ebuzzmiller says I didn't dig "Nine Horses" as much as I thought I would, maybe I should go back and listen again...
    Permalink posted 09/11/2006
  4. slackline radio
    slackline radio says Sylvian is still creating great music even today many years after Japan. Ever hear his duo album with Fripp? What about his side project Rain Tree Crow? Good stuff. Is it true he lives in the New England area?
    Permalink posted 09/11/2006
  5. ebuzzmiller
    ebuzzmiller says yeah i even have bootlegs of that fripp-sylvian tour. and yeah, got rain tree crow. last i heard he lived in northern cali???
    Permalink posted 09/11/2006
  6. dragonhead
    dragonhead says I believe that since he split up with his Mrs he's dividing his time between New York and London. "The First Day" with Fripp is an excellent album, even if they fell out with each other bigtime towards the end of the process (Sylvian has a habit of falling out with the people he works with!). Saw them do their thing live together too, I remember sitting slack-jawed through the whole thing. Not only were Fripp and Sylvian on stage, but Trey Gunn with his Chapman Stick and Michael Brook (who in some ways is an even better guitarist than Fripp) too. Absolutely stunning. I love the Rain Tree Crow album, mostly because it's Japan under another name. The other lads wanted to release it under the name Japan, so did the record company, But Sylvian wouldn't have any of it. Did hear a few vague rumours that the Japan boys are tentatively thinking of working together again. It seems possible, especially since David and Steve are back on speaking terms (hence the Nine Horses album), but also because Steve, Mick and Richard have never really stopped working together. I also know that Fripp has worked with David and Steve recently, but those recordings didn't appear on the Nine Horses album. Expect something else exciting VERY soon.
    Permalink posted 09/11/2006

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