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Japan|Tin Drum

Tin Drum

Japan

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Partially growing out of their success in the country they were named after, as well as growing friendship and affiliation with such bands as Yellow Magic Orchestra, Japan made their most unique, challenging, and striking album in Tin Drum. It was also the final full studio effort from the group, and what a way to bow out -- there was practically no resemblance to the trash-glam flailers on Adolescent Sex anymore. Rather than repeat the sheer restraint on Gentlemen Take Polaroids, Tin Drum is an album of energy, Sylvian's singing still the decadently joyful thing it is, but the arrangements and performances are tight, full, and active. The fusion of exquisite funk (courtesy of Karn and Jansen's joined-at-the-hip rhythm section) and a range of Asian music influences, from instrumentation to subject matter, combined with an even wider use of technological approaches to create the dramatic, sly songs on offer. Only the Talking Heads showed the same attempt at reach and variety at the time, at least in the Western rock world, but Japan arguably outstripped the New York band with their sheer sense of theatrical style. To top it all off, the group was more popular than ever, with "Ghosts" (an appropriately haunting ballad notable for its utterly minimal arrangement, almost entirely eschewing beats for Barbieri's textures and Jansen's work on marimba) becoming a Top Ten hit in the U.K. The wound-up dancefloor art grooves of "The Art of Parties" and especially "Visions of China" were also notable efforts, with the latter featuring what has to be Karn and Jansen's eternal highlight performance (check out Jansen's jaw-dropping drum break). Meanwhile, the evocation of Chinese culture in general continued with such songs as "Canton," a slightly martial, stately march with clear inspiration from the country's classical music tradition, and the concluding "Cantonese Boy."

© Ned Raggett /TiVo

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Tin Drum

Japan

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1
The Art of Parties (2003 - Remaster)
00:04:12

Steve Jansen, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Nye, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - JOHN PORTER, Producer - David Sylvian, Performer, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Mick Karn, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Richard Barbieri, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Japan, Producer, MainArtist

(C) 2003 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2003 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2003 Virgin Records Limited

2
Talking Drum (2003 Digital Remaster)
00:03:35

Nigel Walker, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Steve Jansen, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Prestage, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Steve Nye, Producer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - David Sylvian, Performer, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Mick Karn, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - COLIN FAIRLEY, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Richard Barbieri, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - John Punter, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Japan, MainArtist

(C) 2003 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2003 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2003 Virgin Records Limited

3
Ghosts (2003 Digital Remaster)
00:04:36

Nigel Walker, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Steve Jansen, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Prestage, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Steve Nye, Producer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - David Sylvian, Performer, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Mick Karn, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - COLIN FAIRLEY, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Richard Barbieri, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - John Punter, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Japan, MainArtist

(C) 2003 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2003 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2003 Virgin Records Limited

4
Canton (2003 Digital Remaster)
00:05:35

Steve Jansen, Composer, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Nye, Producer - David Sylvian, Composer, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Mick Karn, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Richard Barbieri, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Japan, MainArtist

(C) 2003 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2003 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2003 Virgin Records Limited

5
Still Life In Mobile Homes (2003 Digital Remaster)
00:05:35

Steve Jansen, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Nye, Producer - David Sylvian, Performer, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Mick Karn, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Richard Barbieri, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Japan, MainArtist

(C) 2003 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2003 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2003 Virgin Records Limited

6
Visions Of China (2003 Digital Remaster)
00:03:39

Nigel Walker, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Steve Jansen, Performer, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Steve Prestage, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Steve Nye, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - David Sylvian, Performer, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Mick Karn, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - COLIN FAIRLEY, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Richard Barbieri, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - John Punter, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Japan, Producer, MainArtist

(C) 2003 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2003 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2003 Virgin Records Limited

7
Sons Of Pioneers (2003 Digital Remaster)
00:07:09

Steve Jansen, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Nye, Producer - David Sylvian, Performer, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Mick Karn, Performer, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Richard Barbieri, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Japan, MainArtist

(C) 2003 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2003 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2003 Virgin Records Limited

8
Cantonese Boy (Remastered)
00:03:51

Steve Jansen, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Nye, Producer - David Sylvian, Performer, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Mick Karn, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Richard Barbieri, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Japan, MainArtist

(C) 2003 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2003 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2003 Virgin Records Limited

DISC 2

1
The Art Of Parties (Remastered)
00:06:47

Nigel Walker, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Steve Jansen, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Prestage, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Steve Nye, Producer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - David Sylvian, Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Mick Karn, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - COLIN FAIRLEY, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Richard Barbieri, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - John Punter, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Japan, Producer, MainArtist

(C) 2003 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2003 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2003 Virgin Records Limited

2
Life Without Buildings (Remaster 2003)
00:06:48

David Sylvian, ComposerLyricist - Japan, MainArtist

(C) 2003 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2003 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2003 Virgin Records Limited

3
The Art Of Parties (Live / Remaster 2003)
00:05:36

David Sylvian, ComposerLyricist - John Punter, Producer - Japan, Producer, MainArtist

(C) 2003 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2003 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2003 Virgin Records Limited

4
Ghosts (2003 Mix)
00:04:02

Nigel Walker, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Steve Jansen, Drums, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Prestage, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Steve Nye, Producer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - David Sylvian, Performer, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Mick Karn, Bass Guitar, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - COLIN FAIRLEY, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Richard Barbieri, Keyboards, Performer, AssociatedPerformer - John Punter, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Japan, MainArtist

(C) 2003 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2003 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2003 Virgin Records Limited

Album review

Partially growing out of their success in the country they were named after, as well as growing friendship and affiliation with such bands as Yellow Magic Orchestra, Japan made their most unique, challenging, and striking album in Tin Drum. It was also the final full studio effort from the group, and what a way to bow out -- there was practically no resemblance to the trash-glam flailers on Adolescent Sex anymore. Rather than repeat the sheer restraint on Gentlemen Take Polaroids, Tin Drum is an album of energy, Sylvian's singing still the decadently joyful thing it is, but the arrangements and performances are tight, full, and active. The fusion of exquisite funk (courtesy of Karn and Jansen's joined-at-the-hip rhythm section) and a range of Asian music influences, from instrumentation to subject matter, combined with an even wider use of technological approaches to create the dramatic, sly songs on offer. Only the Talking Heads showed the same attempt at reach and variety at the time, at least in the Western rock world, but Japan arguably outstripped the New York band with their sheer sense of theatrical style. To top it all off, the group was more popular than ever, with "Ghosts" (an appropriately haunting ballad notable for its utterly minimal arrangement, almost entirely eschewing beats for Barbieri's textures and Jansen's work on marimba) becoming a Top Ten hit in the U.K. The wound-up dancefloor art grooves of "The Art of Parties" and especially "Visions of China" were also notable efforts, with the latter featuring what has to be Karn and Jansen's eternal highlight performance (check out Jansen's jaw-dropping drum break). Meanwhile, the evocation of Chinese culture in general continued with such songs as "Canton," a slightly martial, stately march with clear inspiration from the country's classical music tradition, and the concluding "Cantonese Boy."

© Ned Raggett /TiVo

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