Limited Edition 180g Vinyl!
Tin Drum is the fifth and final studio album by the British band Japan, released on Virgin Records on 13 November 1981. Tin Drum continued the band's now developed use of electronic elements coupled with traditional instrumentation, but leans far more towards Far Eastern influences than any of their previous albums. Guitarist Rob Dean had left the band by this point, with vocalist David Sylvian taking on his duties, which had become largely surplus to requirements in terms of their musical direction. On September 6, 2011, Tin Drum was awarded BBC Radio 6 Music's 'Goldie' award posthumously for the best album of 1981.
The painstaking approach to synthesizer programming by Richard Barbieri and David Sylvian and the original rhythmic patterns of Steve Jansen and Mick Karn produced a sound that remains original to this day. Japan were the one of the most successful chart bands in Europe and Asia in 1982 despite the increasingly experimental nature of their music, and four of Tin Drum's eight tracks were issued as singles including the UK Top 10 "Ghosts," "The Art of Parties," "Visions of China" and "Cantonese Boy." Japan split up at the height of their popularity after a world tour in 1983.
"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, on Tin Drum, made its most unique, challenging, and striking album. 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 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." -Ned Raggett, allmusic.com
Features:
Limited Edition
180g Vinyl
Exact reproduction of original LP artwork
Musicians:
David Sylvian, keyboards, keyboard programming, tapes, guitar, vocals
Steve Jansen, drums, percussion, electronic & keyboard percussion
Richard Barbieri, keyboards, keyboard programming, tapes
Mick Karn, fretless bass, African flute, dida
Selections:
Side One:
1. The Art of Parties
2. Talking Drum
3. Ghosts
4. Canton
Side Two:
1. Still Life in Mobile Homes
2. Visions of China
3. Sons of Pioneers
4. Cantonese Boy
Tin Drum is the fifth and final studio album by the British band Japan, released on Virgin Records on 13 November 1981. Tin Drum continued the band's now developed use of electronic elements coupled with traditional instrumentation, but leans far more towards Far Eastern influences than any of their previous albums. Guitarist Rob Dean had left the band by this point, with vocalist David Sylvian taking on his duties, which had become largely surplus to requirements in terms of their musical direction. On September 6, 2011, Tin Drum was awarded BBC Radio 6 Music's 'Goldie' award posthumously for the best album of 1981.
The painstaking approach to synthesizer programming by Richard Barbieri and David Sylvian and the original rhythmic patterns of Steve Jansen and Mick Karn produced a sound that remains original to this day. Japan were the one of the most successful chart bands in Europe and Asia in 1982 despite the increasingly experimental nature of their music, and four of Tin Drum's eight tracks were issued as singles including the UK Top 10 "Ghosts," "The Art of Parties," "Visions of China" and "Cantonese Boy." Japan split up at the height of their popularity after a world tour in 1983.
"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, on Tin Drum, made its most unique, challenging, and striking album. 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 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." -Ned Raggett, allmusic.com
Features:
Limited Edition
180g Vinyl
Exact reproduction of original LP artwork
Musicians:
David Sylvian, keyboards, keyboard programming, tapes, guitar, vocals
Steve Jansen, drums, percussion, electronic & keyboard percussion
Richard Barbieri, keyboards, keyboard programming, tapes
Mick Karn, fretless bass, African flute, dida
Selections:
Side One:
1. The Art of Parties
2. Talking Drum
3. Ghosts
4. Canton
Side Two:
1. Still Life in Mobile Homes
2. Visions of China
3. Sons of Pioneers
4. Cantonese Boy
