Japan – Tin Drum LP

Japan – Tin Drum

The legendary synth-pop band Japan was founded by school friends David Sylvian, Mick Karn, Richard Barbieri, Steve Jansen and Rob Dean in London in 1974 and became one of the most interesting and stylish protagonists of late 1970s synth-pop.

Now the half-speed mastered versions of Japan's fourth and fifth studio albums, Gentlemen Take Polaroids and Tin Drum, are being released. They will be issued as remastered single LPs on 180-gram vinyl and as special 2LP sets, also on 180-gram vinyl, that deliver greater fidelity at 45 rpm. An Obi strip and an Abbey Road certificate are also included.

Gentlemen Take Polaroids is Japan's fourth studio album and was released in 1980, containing the single "Gentlemen Take Polaroids" and the atmospheric "Nightporter", which was finally released as a single in November 1982, shortly after the band announced they were splitting up. The album is widely regarded as the one that consolidated Japan's unique aesthetic approach and sound.

Japan's fifth and final album Tin Drum (1981) is widely regarded as the group's best work, reaching number 12 in the UK. It includes the single "The Art of Parties" and the Top 5 single "Ghosts".

Tracklist
A1 The Art Of Parties 4:09
A2 Talking Drum 3:32
A3 Ghosts 4:33
A4 Canton 5:30

B1 Still Life In Mobile Homes 5:32
B2 Visions Of China 3:38
B3 Sons Of Pioneers 7:07
B4 Cantonese Boy 3:44

Label: Virgin
Released: 1981/2018