Reviews (page 2 of 7)
10/10 perfect album in my eyes even when it gets super cheesy, I’ll still eat this shit up
Never heard of them before but absolutely loved this.
Har gleda meg til detta. Jævlig bra, sjøl om Tin Drum e hakket bedre
From Quiet Life onwards, Japan hit upon an apex that they wouldn't get down from until their breakup in the early 80s. One of the more underrated synthpop groups of their era, Japan always seemed to be more than the sum of its parts and it shows here, with adaptable ease into slinky yet speedy disco, a French language dirge and a Velvet Underground cover to boot all the while crafting their own inimitable path. Great album.
A big surprise, loved it a lot.
Wow this surprised me
Quiet Life, Gentlemen Take Polaroids, Tin Drum definitely belong to the list of best pop albums ever made. Sure, Roxy Music is everywhere, especially on Quiet Life, but they are much more than a slowed-down RM synth-pop clone - the songs and production are incredibly strong, and the whole concept is just perfectly executed.
Loved it, would listen again
Great synth pop / new wave sound. Amazing album, will check out more by this group.
Really good, loved the spooky vibes.
What a beautiful album
охуенно, вторая пятёра подряд. Даже, вероятно, вторая десятка (с этим сомнения, ибо сложно с пары прослушиваний прямо зафанатеть, но вообще очень зашло). Вот тот годный нью-вейв, который не совсем ударен в синтпоп и имеет значимое присутствие других инструментов. Баса в песне In Vogue, например, или гитарных ликов в Alien. По композиторству вообще никаких вопросов, каждая тема пиздец приятно и интересно звучит (и это от глемеров-то!), никаких кринжовых и дурацких моментов, я бы сказал всё очень умно сделано. Единственное, кавер на Вельвет Андеграунд не сильно заинтересовал, ещё и в расширенную версию его в трёх вариантах запихнули, что немного подкашивает. Посему ну 9, наверное, будет, в список прослушиваемого отправляется точно.
Love this album
Pretty relaxing
This album is a fun example of what I like about new wave. It's got really good synths and interesting lyrics. I feel like this would be a perfect album for driving through a city at night.
Great album, shame they broke up before the genre really kicked in. You can hear their influence on bands like Duran Duran who basically ripped off the baseline.
i liked the majority of the songs! i didnt pay a lot of attention to it tbf but i did enjoy the music
Pretty cool and interesting and I’d probably listen again
I like this album a lot, but it's not really a casual listen. "Quiet Life" is the most likely song to be remembered, but the rendition of "All Tomorrows Parties" is also fantastic. The album is of its era and the sounds show that. Still the music is original and manages to innovate despite using some familiar hooks. I'm struggling to give it a five though, so four it is.
Very good. The sound was well-polished for its time. 4 stars.
Japan's roots can easily traced back to Roxy Music's cool demeanor, Kraftwerk's synthetic textures and Bowie's experimental edge, but in spite of such obvious influences, they still managed to craft a unique and sophisticated sound which first reached full flower on their third studio album *Quiet Life*. While never a true part of the New Romantic scene, Japan's shadow looms large over it - you can hear echoes of David Sylvian's croon and Richard Barbieri's inventive keyboard work in bands that followed in the early 80s. The uptempo tracks on this record have the most snap, with Mick Karn's fretless bass lines snaking their way through Steve Jansen's drumming. The slower numbers have character and personality also, but at times they go on a bit too long, though. Still, this is an accomplished record that began a terrific three-album streak for the band.
A bit sparser than your typical new wave record, but it gives it its own unique charm, I suppose. 4.5 bumped down to 4.
feels like i'm being transported. :) it's really nice. easy listening. glittery. gender neural, ambiguous, flowy, expressive vocals. smooth art pop. favorite songs: quiet life, alien (such a cool, distinct bass sound & groove)
7/10… new wave / synthpop / *1979
Really sounds like early Duran Duran. Correction. A better version of Duran Duran. Not familiar with Japan but this is a good album! Four stars.
I went into this one having no idea what to expect, and left enjoying the heck out of the album. It's got a different feel to it than a lot of other new wave albums or bands. I could see the influence on the bands of my childhood.
Strong 8 to a light 9. Absolutely do not get how under the radar this album is. Great discovery for me.
Pleasantly surprised. I don't think any individual track particularly stands out as massively strong other than the titular opener, but the whole album carries a pervasive moody vibe. It's Duran Duran but darker (and earlier). You'll know pretty quickly if you like it or loathe it. I'm distinctly in the former camp.
This one was kind of cool. It feels like the kind of album I'll like more the more I listen. Will have to give it a few more tries and see if that's true.
I enjoy new wave so I thought this was nice
Pretty cool proto-Depeche Mode. Didn’t need the VU cover though.
От этой обложке я ожидала чего угодно, но не хорошей музыки
I haven’t heard this one before. I have heard a number of songs by Japan and get them confused with Duran Duran since the singer sounds a lot like Simon Le Bon and the music, while very different, is stylistically similar. This is some fun early synth pop and I like their take on the Velvet Underground cover. According to the wiki article the band had a different track listing in mind that the label shot down, I tried listening to it that way and it’s a slight improvement. Solid 80s fun.
Yh enak sih
This was a great listen - overall pretty mellow but with driving rhythms, very enjoyable
I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised by this. I had low expectations, but I think I am giving it a 4. Go new wave! Boolean: yeah, glad I heard before I die.
This one sounds fresh! Never heard to this bend before, so I supposed it should be somehow simialar to Aplhaville (maybe becasue of the Japan name don't know ahah). Still, I liked it and now want to listed to Gentlemen Take Polaroids, as I've heard about this album before
This was a surprise. I enjoyed it way more than expected
Where have you been all my life, David Sylvian? Seriously, I can't believe I've been listening to Duran Duran for decades without being aware of this very obvious precursor to one of my favorite bands' early work. Slyvian's smooth vocals prefigure Simon Le Bon's (albeit with a little less range), while his lyrics cover much of the same ground also - the jetset life, adventurous and simultaneously rootless, full of beauty made all the more precious by its fleetingness. I don't know how much the name of his band played into Sylvian's compositional instincts but I feel like I hear something like the idea of Japan, the place - sleek, futuristic, mysterious in a vaguely Orientalist way. Edward Said would've had a field day with the synth-driven cover of the Velvets' "All Tomorrow's Parties."
Aujourd’hui, on s’arrête sur un disque qui marque une frontière invisible entre deux mondes. On parle de Quiet Life de Japan, sorti en 1979, un album qui figure en bonne place dans l'ouvrage "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die". Pour bien comprendre cet album, il faut se replacer dans le contexte de cette fin d'année 1979. Le punk est en train de s'étouffer dans ses propres crachats et la musique cherche désespérément une nouvelle élégance, une sorte de raffinement glacial pour affronter la décennie qui s'annonce. C'est exactement là que Japan opère sa mue la plus spectaculaire car avant cela, ils jouaient les rockers androgynes un peu brouillons, mais avec cet opus, tout change radicalement. Je lui donne une note de 4 sur 5 car ce n’est pas encore la perfection absolue de l'album suivant, mais il reste un disque essentiel. C'est l'instant précis où le groupe décide de troquer le cuir pour la soie, et la sueur pour une froideur sophistiquée. C'est un album qui sent bon le glam rock noble, celui qui va de la période berlinoise de David Bowie à la sophistication hautaine de Roxy Music. On est dans le chic absolu, le genre de musique qui se déguste avec une distance polie mais fascinée. L'un des points les plus frappants de ce disque est sans aucun doute l'évolution vocale de David Sylvian. Il abandonne ses tics de chanteur de rock classique pour adopter un timbre de crooner baryton, profond et hanté. On sent l'ombre de Bryan Ferry planer sur chaque syllabe, mais avec une touche de modernité européenne qui n'appartient qu'à lui. Il ne chante plus pour la foule, il chante pour lui-même dans une pièce vide et immense. Et puis, il y a la basse de Mick Karn et il faut en parler car c'est le cœur battant, ou plutôt le serpent qui ondule sous la surface de ce disque. Son jeu sur basse fretless est unique au monde : liquide, imprévisible, presque caoutchouteux. Il transforme chaque morceau en une expérience sensorielle, ce n'est plus une section rythmique, c'est de la sculpture sonore. C’est cette basse qui donne à l'album sa profondeur et son mystère. Sur le plan de la production, le travail de John Punter est phénoménal. Il a su capter cette atmosphère de club de nuit désert, où les synthétiseurs de Richard Barbieri commencent à prendre une place prépondérante. On n'est plus dans le futurisme naïf, mais dans une électronique texturée, organique et on comprend immédiatement en écoutant le morceau titre où des groupes comme Duran Duran ont trouvé toute leur influence. Japan a inventé le son des années 80 avant tout le monde. L'album ose même s'attaquer à un monument sacré : "All Tomorrow's Parties" du Velvet Underground. Reprendre Lou Reed et Nico en version synth-pop en 1979 était un pari risqué, voire arrogant. Pourtant, Japan en livre une version robotique, glacée, qui colle parfaitement à l'esthétique globale de l'album. C'est une réappropriation totale qui prouve que le groupe avait déjà une vision artistique très claire et sans concession. Pourquoi 4 sur 5 et pas 5 ? Simplement parce qu'on sent encore par moments que le groupe est en pleine transition et certaines influences sont encore très visibles. Mais c’est aussi ce qui fait le charme de l'objet : voir une chrysalide se transformer en papillon de nuit sous nos yeux. C’est un disque court, dense, sans aucune fioriture inutile, où chaque arrangement semble avoir été pesé au milligramme près. Visuellement, la pochette, avec le visage de Sylvian parfaitement sculpté par la lumière, annonce la couleur : ici, l'apparence est aussi importante que le contenu. C'est l'acte de naissance des "Nouveaux Romantiques", même si Japan refusera toujours cette étiquette trop réductrice pour leur talent. Ce disque est un bloc de glace qui fond lentement sous des néons bleus, c'est l'élégance du désespoir, le spleen de la fin des seventies traduit en fréquences électroniques. Si vous voulez comprendre comment la pop est devenue intelligente et "arty" à la veille de l'ère MTV, c'est par ici que ça se passe. C'est un indispensable, un point c'est tout. En résumé, cet album est le chaînon manquant. Il relie le rock décadent des années 70 à la synth-pop chirurgicale qui allait dominer les ondes quelques années plus tard. Japan n'était pas juste un groupe de plus, c'était un laboratoire esthétique et "Quiet Life" reste leur manifeste le plus accessible et le plus immédiatement séduisant. On ne peut pas passer à côté de l'importance historique de cette œuvre. Dans le grand bordel de la fin du punk, Japan a apporté une réponse qui n'était pas la colère, mais la beauté. Une beauté froide, un peu snob certes, mais d'une efficacité redoutable. C'est un disque qui ne vieillit pas, car la classe, la vraie, est intemporelle. C'est un disque qui demande de l'attention, qui ne se laisse pas apprivoiser à la première écoute distraite. Il faut se laisser couler dans les arrangements, suivre les lignes de basse tortueuses et se laisser bercer par la voix d'outre-tombe de Sylvian. Pour conclure sur cette chronique, je dirais que 1979 était l'année idéale pour ce disque. Une année de bascule, une année de doute où Japan a eu le courage de proposer une musique qui regardait vers l'avant tout en gardant un pied dans le glamour. C'est brillant, c'est courageux, et c'est surtout foutrement bon. Si vous avez ce disque dans votre collection, gardez-le précieusement. Si vous ne l'avez pas, votre culture musicale a un trou béant qu'il convient de combler d'urgence. On ne meurt pas sans avoir écouté "Quiet Life" au moins une fois dans le noir total. C'est la règle.
Not sure what I was expecting but this was way better than I thought it was gonna. 80s AF and I’m here for it. Eat your heart out Duran Duran.
Great late 1970s New Wave/Art Pop from a talented band that very much has their own sound (at times eerie) with a singer (David Sylvian) that sounds a bit like Bryan Ferry of Roxy Music. An absolute must hear for New Wave fans and really just fans of good music.
Solid synth pop and way more groovy and fun then I thought it would be. I love 80s Brit synth pop, what can I say?
I've always meant to have a proper Japan/David Sylvian phase. Maybe the time has come. They were definitely the connective tissue between Roxy/Bowie and lots of 80s groups that took notes, especially the New Romantics.
It’s a shame that the progenitor of a style of music feels derivative if you come across it late. When this came out it was groundbreaking. Now it sounds like every other euro synth pop band. Good cover of the Velvet Underground though.
Duran Duran ripped these guys off.
Classic New Wave vocal performances on a more art rock production palette. The bassist often sounds like he's playing a fretless bass, which is super cool. I really liked this.
Early New Wave, and it sounds so much like Duran Duran that I kept double-checking that I was still listening to the correct album.
Peak 80s synthy altrock. Reminded me that I actually knew a Japan song before this and also loved it.
Its like Duran Duran, before there was Duran Duran ... bonus star for being Richard Barbieri's first band. Probably the closest I will get to Porcupine Tree and Steven Wilson on this list.
Generally, I don’t mess with this genre. But really enjoyed this playing in the background of my morning routine. 3.5
Surprisingly good.
Quite interesting
Set aside the Roxy Music comparisons and enjoy this album in its own right. Great to hear again after such a long time.
Japan sounded like nobody else. And nobody sounds like them. Not sure I'd have picked out this album as their best. But nevertheless it's 4*
Roligt att upptäcka!
Interesting early UK new wave. Faves were "Quiet Life" "Fall In Love With Me" "Alien" and "A Foreign Place" If I had one critique it'd be that it felt very samey after a while.
A not as good Bowie, but still good.
That was a fun experience. I took a four mile hike through New Zealand (on an elliptical at a hotel in Jersey City) while listening to Japan. Not familiar with Japan or any of their music. If memory serves, Quiet Life seems well ahead of the curve musically for a 1979 release. Enjoyed the synth-pop energy! (4.2*s) Kinda wish I had heard of these guys back in the eighties, and kudos once again to the 1001 Must Hear List for the exposure.
Unexpectedly such a vibe. Really enjoyed the instrumentals as much as the soothing vocals.
I'd heard some Japan before and didn't love it, so I was surprised how much I enjoyed this album. It hits a sweet spot between pop, post punk, new wave, glam, and goth that I'm a sucker for (also like Gary Numan and early Human League). It's a vibe and I will definitely be giving it a re-listen.
Not a perfect album but lots of cool stuff, particularly for 1979 - shades of Roxy Music and pre-empting Duran Duran
One of the things that always set Japan apart was their musicianship and there’s evidence of that here. I’ve not listened to this album all the way through for a long time and I found it pleasantly rewarding.
Pros: - Beautiful vocals - Great production - Really good for a movie soundtrack Cons: - The vocals sometimes don't match the production as well as it's supposed to Rating (out of 10): 8.5/10
Hermoso!
cool. I like a fucked up bass line.
Imagine every positive review of this one says the same thing, which is that it’s bonkers that this came out in 1979. I think it’s close the upper tier of new wave and new wave adjacent albums on the list! Good stuff, I liked the majority of the songs quite a lot.
Surprising good album
A little apprehensive from the first track but this album won me over by the end. Sounds like they really nailed the whole "big in Japan" cliche, so much so they named their album after it. No shade though, I enjoyed this, it was subtle but complex enough to capture my attention. I'll probably check this out again in the future.
I wasn’t expecting to like this at all, but was pleasantly surprised. Synth pop and new wave seems to be very hit or miss for me, but this one is definitely a hit.
This was pretty good, pretty chill. I’d never heard of this band, nor had I heard any of these songs before. What a good experience. If I ever made an album, I’d hope it’d turn out something like this.
80s music in the late 70s. Visionary and influential, you can definitely hear where Duran Duran got their inspiration. Great album.
When I saw this my album for the day I resigned myself to hating it. How wrong I was. This is brilliant. Hugely ahead of its time for an album released in 1979. Quite camp, very dramatic, but wearing its ambition and sincerity proudly on its chest. The bass is particularly great across this album. I guess I shouldn’t judge an album by its massively cringey cover, as I’d have skipped over this seeing that, but yeah this is great.
I thought this album was very reminiscent of an intellectual Duran Duran. I had heard of the band because I like the material David Sylvian did with Robert Fripp. Honestly given my personal taste, I'm a little surprised that I haven't heard this record before now.
What a fantastic surprise. I knew some of their stuff but have never listened to an album all the way through as it’s not my genre. Really entertaining though. Will be giving it another play or 2.
Blimey, this is Japan? I didn't think I knew anything about this lot, but I knew the title track. After listening I thought to myself, the vocals sounded like Duran Duran's Le Bon circa 1981 onwards and the instrumentals sounded like, among others, Simple Minds circa 1981. And then you look at the year this came out - 1979. Then there are references to being a Roxy Music clone? Naa, this was great!
This was a great surprise.
feeling a 3.75 but we're rounding up today I love new wave
i liked this one! especially enjoyed the interlude-y instrumental nature of "despair." i think we should bring back albums that are 45+ minutes long despite only having like eight tracks
8/10 early influence for new wave and i’m a big 80s pop person so :)
Kind of a slow burn for me. Definitely just felt very 80s pop at first, then realized it was very much the original of that sound gave me some appreciation. All in all just sorta grew on me. Super solid.
The sleek synths and gliding basslines feel like a moodier, more art-school cousin to early Duran Duran — less flirt, more stare.
Some of the best new wave music I've heard (besides Duran Duran).
Sort of feels like the lost album where joy division transforms into New Order For such a synth lead album the base does a lot of heavy lifting. Quite life is such a banger and a great way to open any album . After that the pace drops and becomes introspective bordering on somber A moody post punk album that sounds like 80s pop in places
Very groovy. Starts stronger than it finishes
80/100. It’s a record that balances style and substance nicely, catchy on the surface but with enough depth to keep you interested. It's a really strong new wave and art pop record.
I can practically see the neon...
Great album. In the vein of Roxy Music, but slicker and with some east Asian influences.
Quite good 3.9
357/1089 - Depeche Duran. Cool instrument and synth combinations throughout. The song-forms were a bit repetitive sometimes and the voice lethargic but overall still a solid listen.
No idea who this is. Never heard of it. Right away I’m intrigued. It’s almost like early industrial mixed with the best parts of Disco. Track 3 “Despair” is great. I love that this album is from 1979 and does not sound dated at all. I seriously feel like could have seen this band in the 90s. They feel like the synth industrial scene. I need to look up the bass player. Love these lines. “Halloween”. Captured me from the first note. I really like this album. Ok, “Alien” is such a great bass line. It sounds like something Les Claypool would have written and played. Love this song. Mick Karns is the bassist. Passed away in 2011. I need to look up his solo stuff. He’s amazing.
Great album. Maybe the first of the great New Wave albums, cool songs, super moody and fantastic vocals.
Cool album with an 80’s vibe even though it came out in 79. Seemed to foretell where pop music was going from there.
Ahead of its time, stylish blend of dance and new wave. Really strong record.
This album is why I'm going through this list. A surprise and quite enjoyable.
Japan is one of those bands I’ve always been aware of but never took the time to explore their music. While it features a few upbeat tracks, the overall vibe is more laid-back and atmospheric. The standout element for me was the bass guitar, particularly in the second track, “Fall In Love With Me.” The bass in this track had a playful and quirky feel, adding a unique texture to the music.
Surprisingly good album. It's essentially an above-average '80s new wave album released before the decade even started. Can hear a lot of the '80s sound on this album. Nothing like groundbreaking or breathtaking, but still a strong album.
I was pleasantly surprised by this one. Going in without knowing what it was or about Japan, I didn't expect it to presage so much of the sound of the 1980s. And even then, I didn't expect it to have such a good representation of what new wave sounds like since I generally assume that the early versions of a genre haven't had time to perfect it. But here's this thing. It's by no means a perfect 5-star album, but it's good enough to justify four stars.
good listen, felt like a background noise more than an eye catching album, still great vibes: best one other side of life
I'm honestly really surprised at how much i liked Quiet Life. It is part of the earlier wave (no pun intended) of the genre of new wave and i can really see how this album influenced a lot of 80s, especially Duran Duran. I still was going into this expecting this album to be just alright but then the title track hit me with all those synths and let me know that i was gonna be in for a good time. I also really think the bass and vocals are great here too as they are in a lot of new wave albums. There are a few songs here that do suffer from same face syndrome but since there is only 8, it never got to me too much. This was quite a nice surprise. Best Song: Quiet Life Worst Song: Alien
Pretty futuristic sound for 1979. Good compositions
New-to-me artist that I really liked. Sonic bridge between Velvet Underground and Duran Duran that I didn't know I was looking for.
Oh, we love an album that flows well, so much to the point that it is very satisfying. A new wave album like Quiet Life being released in 1979 makes a lot of sense, and I can hear how Japan must have influenced later new wave acts like Duran Duran. Their instrumental parts are powerful--and could even pass for a movie score. The vibe was hitting today, is all I can say.
Quiet life, is a brilliant combination of glam rock, new romanticism, and, electro pop, and still sounds excellent today.
Overall: 7/10 At first this seemed like it was gonna be a mediocre slog, but the closer I listened the more I realized how cool and influential this album really is. This is basically 80s synth pop in a nutshell, but it came out in 79! Good stuff. Love the fretless bass, it's such a unique and cool sound. Fav Song: Alien
It was really interesting and varied
It was alright pretty ground breaking for the time. I love new wave and disco so it was nice to see it intertwine like this. They walked so Duran Duran could run.(...ran?)
Japan has been on my radar for a while now (the country too, what are they up to over there in the ocean) and now finally listening I was surprised to learn this was not the 80s. And it’s good!!!
01) Quiet Life - 10,0 02) Fall in Love with Me - 8,0 03) Despair - 8,0 04) In Vogue - 8,0 05) Halloween - 7,5 06) All Tomorrow's Parties - 7,5 07) Alien - 7,0 08) The Other Side of Life - 7,0 TOTAL: 7,88 (79/100) Current ranking: 245/734
# **In-Depth Review of *Quiet Life* by Japan** Released in 1979, *Quiet Life* is the third studio album by British art-rock band **Japan**. Often regarded as a transitional masterpiece, the album marks the band’s shift from glam-punk roots to a more sophisticated, atmospheric sound that prefigured the new romantic movement. Below is a detailed exploration of its **lyrics, music, production, themes, influence**, along with a balanced list of **pros and cons**. --- ## 🎵 **Music & Sound** Musically, *Quiet Life* is a **lush, synth-driven** album that blends **art rock, new wave, and ambient pop**. It’s a significant departure from their earlier guitar-heavy sound. The album leans heavily on **synthesizers, fretless bass, and atmospheric textures**, creating a moody, cinematic soundscape. - The title track, *Quiet Life*, is a standout with its **melancholic synth lines** and **driving rhythm**, capturing a sense of urban alienation. - *Fall in Love with Me* and *In Vogue* showcase the band’s growing **sophistication in arrangement**, with layered keyboards and smooth vocal delivery . --- ## ✍️ **Lyrics & Themes** Lyrically, *Quiet Life* explores **themes of alienation, identity, transformation, and emotional detachment**. David Sylvian’s vocal delivery is **detached yet emotionally resonant**, adding depth to the often abstract lyrics. - The title track reflects on **escaping societal expectations**, with lines that evoke a **quiet rebellion against conformity**. - Songs like *Despair* and *The Other Side of Life* delve into **existential angst**, while *In Vogue* critiques **superficiality and fashion culture** . --- ## 🎛️ **Production** Produced primarily by **John Punter**, the album is **sleek and polished**, with a **European sensibility** that sets it apart from many UK releases of the time. The production emphasizes **space and texture**, allowing the **synths and basslines to breathe**. - The use of **reverb and delay** gives the album a **dreamlike quality**, enhancing its emotional impact. - The **fretless bass**, played by Mick Karn, is a defining feature, giving the album a **jazzy, fluid low end** that became a signature of Japan’s later work . --- ## 🌐 **Influence & Legacy** *Quiet Life* is often cited as a **key influence** on the **new romantic and synthpop scenes** of the 1980s. Bands like **Duran Duran, Visage**, and even **Roxy Music** drew inspiration from its **androgynous aesthetic and sonic sophistication**. - The album’s **visual and musical style** helped define the **European art-rock** aesthetic. - It’s considered a **cult classic**, and while not a major commercial success upon release, it has grown in stature over the decades . --- ## ✅ **Pros** - **Innovative sound**: A seamless blend of synthpop, art rock, and ambient textures. - **Strong thematic cohesion**: The album feels like a **conceptual journey**. - **Production quality**: Ahead of its time, with a **clean, atmospheric mix**. - **Influence**: Helped shape the direction of **80s alternative pop**. --- ## ❌ **Cons** - **Lack of immediacy**: Some listeners may find the album **too subdued or emotionally distant**. - **Inconsistent pacing**: A few tracks, like *A Foreign Place*, feel **underdeveloped** compared to the standout cuts. - **Limited commercial appeal at the time**: Its **arty, non-mainstream approach** may have alienated casual listeners. --- ## 📝 Final Verdict *Quiet Life* is a **seminal album** that bridges the gap between **70s glam and 80s synthpop**, offering a **mature, introspective** take on modern life. It’s not an easy listen, but it’s a **rewarding** one for those willing to immerse themselves in its **atmospheric world**. > “A quietly revolutionary album that speaks volumes without raising its voice.”
This is basically the blueprint for Duran Duran, and new-wave in general. Surprisingly really good.
Loved the '80s synthness. Would def listen again.
Knew of Japan but always steered well clear. Pleasantly surprised. Was not expecting much but enjoyed. Definite fore runner for synth heavy new wave of the early 80s, annd well Duran Duran sure owe them an hell of a lot for their success, and linking and bringing the Roxy Eno 70s sounds through. I used to be unable to listen to such synth heavy music but it has grown on me now that it’s “dated” maybe I am always seeking pointless nostalgia. Whatever I like this. 4 Star
Some cool synthy stuff with decent vocals unlike a lot of albums in this genre so I think it gets a 4 stars
The Good: Land of the Rising Sun!!! The Bad: There isn’t a single reference to Ramen on the album... The Ugly: This was sooo quiet that most people didn’t even know the album existed… Holy crap… like listening Duran Duran and the Psychedelic Furs before they became themselves. Or any other New Wave band from the year 1982 onwards. Guess Japan has been a trendsetter not only regarding martial arts, or food, but also music! Kobuki theater anyone? It would get a 5* if the damn thing wasn’t so depressing at times… and not depressing in a nice way… more depressing with the blade slicing skin from elbow to wrist, like you’re supposed to do… 4* well deserved though!
Technically an 80s album, well in the UK anyway, which is all that counts. I had maybe heard a couple of later hits by Japan back in the day, but I never realised how similar to Duran to Duran they used to sound. The first track is almost a blueprint for Rio, same synth effects, same drums in parts, it's like Duran Duran sampled it it's so close. The rest of the album is similar, slightly edgy new-wave/ synth-pop. I liked it, enough for four stars anyway.
I’ve never heard of this band or album before, but that album cover is really interesting. I tend to enjoy a lot of new wave music from this era, so I think there’s a good chance that I’m going to enjoy this album. This was a really tough album for me to rate. On the one hand, I really enjoyed the musical arrangements on this album. The fretless bass, the keyboard playing, and the synthesizers were all fantastic, and there were some truly beautiful melodies across this album’s eight tracks. I also loved being able to listen to something that influenced Duran Duran so heavily. But on the other hand, some of these songs felt like they went on for twice as long as their listen run times. For an album that had some great pop sensibilities, I felt that these songs lacked the hooks and punchiness of pop music. One of the things that makes Duran Duran so fun to me is that their songs are incredibly fun to sing along to, and I just didn’t care much about the lyrics on this album. The moodiness of Quiet Life was executed really well, but I think the longer songs just wore me down a bit. I still think this is a really good album, but I just had a hard time putting all of my thoughts about it into words. Some notes on individual songs: I loved the guitar and synthesizer playing on the title track. Those melodies together sounded so distinctly eighties, and it blew my mind that this album came out in 1979. The influence that this album had on Duran Duran can be felt immediately. I really loved the bridge of this song as well. I loved that whistling tone on “In Vogue.” The keyboard playing was really great too, and I thought the synthesized strings sounded awesome. Japan did a great job of using a variety of elements and methods to craft their moody sound, and “In Vogue” is a prime example of that particular skill. I loved those tones on “All Tomorrow’s Parties.” The futuristic beeps and boops at the beginning were really excellent, and I liked how the song shifted away from that into something more guitar driven. The keyboard and guitar work were great on this song. Quiet Life is a really good album, and while I enjoy music that’s more focused on catchy hooks and riffs, I thought this album was really beautiful musically. It’s not catchiness that would bring me back to this album, but a sense of intrigue to let the moodiness and weird sounds wash over me.
This is more enjoyable than I remember it being on my first listen. It's synth-pop for sure, but without the cliché 80's things being associated with it. Songs are pretty strong and a bonus point for having a Velvet Underground cover on there. Doesn't compare to their debut album though.
Synthy pop with some funky rhythms would listen again
Good
It's pleasing to see Japan on this list, as they were undeniably an influential band. They left a lasting mark on both music and fashion, shaping the new romantic and synth-pop scenes. Their sound and image influenced a host of bands, including Duran Duran, who were clearly paying attention to tracks like the title song of of 1979's "Quiet Life". That said, the choice of "Quiet Life" as their sole representation on this list is an interesting one. While a very good album, I would have expected to see "Tin Drum," included instead. As a casual listener, I've always found Japan's music to be fascinating and musically excellent, but I've sometimes struggled to connect with David Sylvian's distinct baritone vocals. For me, his voice occasionally disrupts the listening experience, particularly, on this album, on tracks like "Despair," "In Vogue," and their cover of The Velvet Underground's "All Tomorrow's Parties." However, when it all comes together, it's very good, such as on the title track and "Other Side of Life." Overall, I find "Quiet Life" to be a strong, enjoyable album that's a worthy listen. I'd give it four stars. Side one 1 "Quiet Life" (5/5) 2 "Fall in Love with Me" (4/5) 3 "Despair" (3/5) 4 "In Vogue" (3/5) Side two 5 "Halloween" (4/5) 6 "All Tomorrow's Parties" (3/5) 7 "Alien" (4/5) 8 "The Other Side of Life" (4/5) Total - 31.00 Average - 3.88 112/1001 59/112 albums reviewed were new to me.
Nice to experience a new band with this style. This list made me rediscover Duran Duran before and this is another joy although it cannot meet that standard.
I liked it, it was right up my alley! Would listen again :)
Is pretty good ig
This is #day409 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and… on the one hand, I understand why this Japan album was chosen as the one to be heard before you die. It's probably their first signature record, where David Sylvian sounds like, well, David Sylvian. On the other hand, I'd probably swap it for Gentlemen Take Polaroids (my personal favorite) or Tin Drum, which is often considered their magnum opus. I might even include Sylvian's early solo work, or one of his collaborations with Ryuichi Sakamoto. Still, "Despair" alone is enough to remind me why I like this band, and Sylvian in particular. This is a 4 out of 5. Looking forward to #day410.
United States been real quiet since Japan dropped this
ohhh thats where this sound comes from
Heureuse surprise
Très cool instruments, catchy, mais fin d'album un peu moins forte. 3.5 arrondi à 4.
Like a streamlined Bryan Ferry, not a dis I like how it sounds of its time and still beautiful.
Great moody synth cool to the touch, aloof, could very much get into this
I know they're considered "new wave" but you can hear what was obviously the future influence of "synth pop" bands like Duran Duran. This was a good album.
I prefer the bands that they inspired and influenced, but you have to give props to the band that began it.
Interesting Prog rock vibes. I like it.
Actually good new wave. Definitely a jam.
I wasn't taken immediately. By the end of the cover of All Tomorrow's Parties something clicked and I thoroughly enjoyed it from that point forward.
Late 70s English New Wave. Lead singer has very cool voice. Glam-rock influence. Synths. Very atmospheric and cool, inspired a lot of the 80s.
Wait... This is from BEFORE Duran Duran and Adam Ant? I gotta re-think some things. I had heard of this band in passing before, but never realized just how influential they were. This album exposes the roots of Synth-Pop, New Romantic, and the vaguely-named "Big Music" (think Simple Minds and Big Country) trends that erupted in the U.K. and jumped the ocean to the U.S. in the early-to-mid-80's. There's a bit of Proto-Goth here as well. A strong first impression worthy of deeper exploration.
Better than I thought it would be
I found myself relistening to some of the songs. It's upbeat and funky enough to be a lot of fun.
Nice! Lots of poppy fun, but this isn’t interesting or fun enough to be a favorite or anything
One of my favourite things about 10001 Albums is hearing all the generational influences. I'd heard of Japan for so many years and now after listening to their music, it's like, oh this is exactly what came before Duran Duran. An enjoyable piece of new romantic rock
Nije gentleman take polaroids ili ti drum ali je početak uspona. Jedan od najboljih art rock bendova na prijelazu sedamdesetih /osamdesetih
An album I'm already quite familiar with, and a listen which brought out all the emotions in me as Japan were one of my Dad's favourite bands. He essentially modelled himself on David Sylvian as a teenager, beyond just the looks. As far as the music goes, this was a notable stylistic shift for Japan in that the album pivots almost entirely away from the glam-post-punk type of sound which defined their earlier era, in favour of a more experimental art-synth pop direction. Japan were often associated with the new wave scene in terms of their aesthetics, broader appeal and links with other acts of the time, although that label doesn't do them anywhere near enough justice, particularly as you approach their last couple of albums. This is a surreal experience with a kind of nocturnal vibe hanging over it, although I'm somewhat surprised to see it in the 1001 over Gentlemen Take Polaroids or Tin Drum, if I'm honest.
It’s like hearing the 80’s being born.
So at first I thought WTF is this on the list. So this band ripped off Duran Duran and David Bowie, why are we adding this to the list. Then I thought did David Bowie and Duran Duran team up to make a supergroup named Japan??? So I did a little searching....its not a supergroup. But he does admit to being heavily influenced by David Bowie. And Duran Duran was actually heavily influenced by this band, ala Duran Duran ripped off Japan. With that said its still just 80's synth rock...little dramatic, little new age spacey but not awful. I will say since they had such an influence in creating the sound I will give them a solid 4. not necessarily an amazing album but they did seem to create something that took the 80's by storm. For me it is a little too dramatic and not something I can get into now, but this was a vibe in the 80's pre-grunge pre-emo era.
Let's just forget about that handshake with Carbon Monoxide... and forget about the season 1 final of Dark. (aka other associations that some people tend to think of when they heard the phrase "a quiet life".) first. then we can listen to this. something i wanna say: new wave is fun. Brits are awesome. Japan is an more than decent country. And I love this album because its new wave before new wave was actually born and it sounds like what happens after new wave is born. 4/5
First listen to this, nice album.
Way more important than I expected. Some Depeche mode in Duran Duran but also prog Rock
I also would give this an album a 3.5/5 if this site let me. Very solid.
Quite peculiar album, specially for a New Wave one. And what makes this album interesting? It is the atmosphere and the instrumentation. The vocals where a bit forgettable in my opinion. This record has a very distinct sound. It feels very sophisticated in comparison to other albums of the same genre, which they tend to be louder. I was surprised to like this album as much as I did as I'm not a fan of the New Wave sound, but the melancholy and refined production made this a great experience.
Well recorded, enough it could be a contemporary revival band. Sounds like unreleased tracks from 80s bands that could have been big hits
Pas mal du tout, je ne connaissais pas !
Pleasantly surprising. Love the overall sound. Best tracks: Quiet Life, Despair, Alien.
Interessanter New Wave, durchaus paar geile Sachen dabei
Some really great melodies and overall pretty radical for the late 70s. Feels ahead of its time in spots. Fall In Love With Me is a pretty epic track.
I dig the vibe! There was a slight lull, but cool stuff.
I really seem to have an affinity for pre MTV generation new wave. (you'll see more of that from me when we get to Gary Newman, I don't think any Tubeway Army is on here). This really gave me a Duran Duran vibe and to some extent, I dug this more than the double D's. I was actually turned onto Japan four yeas ago when I did a daily 81 dive and *Tin Drum* came up. I really didn't write the album's rating or take notes I was just listening for fun. I do remember really enjoying that album when I got to it. I really ought to do. A quick dive on them, the only have five proper albums and a reunion album under a assumed name. As for this light but solid 4 8.4/10 ★★★★
Really cool album with awesome bass playing.
Pretty good. Velvet undergound cover!
I liked this. I’m always looking for more new wave-y mellow morning sounds
Crazy to think that this is from the 70s when it sounds like the 80s. A fun album, but it is tad too long.
I enjoyed this one a lot, interesting how it has a very mid 80s pop sound despite being released in ‘79
3/4
primordial 80s synth pop with some cool genre-bending timbers (Irish folk? classic rock?). really wish this weren't so long though...
New wave mezclado con rock de sintetizadores y dark. Las guitarras, si bien están presentes, no tienen mucho énfasis en la mezcla. Las canciones son buenas, algunas tienes melodías interesantes y exploran con los ambientes de diferentes maneras.
A new band to me. It’s cool hearing the influence of so many 80’d bands had. They were pioneers in a newly forming sound.
Pretty good.
Opens with the title track "Quiet Life" - a hit single and New Wave / Art Pop classic. The influence of Roxy Music producer John Punter is most obvious on "Despair". I wasn't a big fan of Japan at the time beacuse I thought that David Sylvian was a pretentious twat, (and he still is as far as I'm concerned), but the music grows on you.
Dark 80s pop that mixes a bunch of other bands into a pretty great album. 7/10
Better than expected. Anyone who likes Durand Durand needs to be made aware of this. This kind of seems like a good chunk of this was stolen by DD. It's quite good, would listen to again and/or put into rotation.
Life changing? Perhaps not. Enjoyable and influential? Perhaps yes.
I really enjoyed this album. It's well produced, funky, and just very clean sounding synth pop without the ugly distortion and bloat that the next decade would push further. Despair, In Vogue, and All Tomorrow's Party are great vibes.
great synth album loved the atmospheric soud
Meget bedre end jeg forventede. Lyder som Roxy Music
High 4
1979, worth to listen to again.
Very surprised. Like it
Goddamn this is so cool. Dark minor key synth-based post-punk with an edge in the vocals and the guitars touch of punk to the vocals. The somber and introspective mood constrats with the glossy artifice of the synths for a nightmarish party feel - this is a great document of the imaginary of what the inside of a computer, and so the impending computer-based future, must've sounded like in the late 70s. Kind of a Blade Runner of an album, but projecting that dystopian aesthetic onto an imagined alien other: 'Tokyo'. Favorites: Fall in Love with Me, Alien, All Tomorrow's Parties, Quiet Life
I would’ve never expected a cover of all tomorrow’s parties, and a pretty good one at that, it’s not one of my favourite velvet underground songs but it’s still really good Fall in love with me felt almost smithsy in its vocals. Alien was kinda cool in its chorus. The other side of life is basically a Roxy music song, I can imagine this on for your pleasure. The rest was pretty cool too tbh 4/5
- Sick vibe
Basically an artsy version of Duran Duran. Imagine if the Duran Duran boys had just binged the David Bowie discography. It would sound something like this. There’s also more horns than I expected, which is a good thing. 3.7/5
Nice! Tämä on hyllyssä mutsinperintönä. Hyvä kasarilevy, joka kaipaisi nimikkoraidan lisäksi muutaman muun hieman nopeamman raidan. 4/5
Avausraita mainio, muuten vähän hidas levy. Kyllä tälle silti voi nelosen antaa.
8/10 Another pleasant surprise. Arty poppy new wave. Extremely well produced, really nice moods. Drumming excellent. Some of it sounds like a film soundtrack with the strings. Duran Duran were clearly heavily inspired by this, it is basically their sound Best: The Other Side of Life
You can hear how they acted as bridge and an inspiration for bands like Depeche Mode, The Cure, New Order, Duran Duran, and Gary Numan. Their track "Despair" has delicious undercurrents of David Bowie's Berlin Trilogy, particularly "Subterraneans". The rest of the album lays the ground work for the emerging 80s New Romantic, New Wave, and Goth Rock movements that will come. My favorites are "Despair", "Alien", "The Other Side of Life", and "A Foreign Place".
Off to a nice start with the title track. Has a Duran Duran-ish glammy vibe about it, but I really enjoy the synth elements and glittery guitar. Fall in Love With Me is another fun upbeat song. While it is full, it never feels cluttered or claustrophobic. Despair opens like a Beach House song (but less atmospheric) with the simple, regular downtempo electronic tambourine + drum. Really enjoy the atmosphere if this song. Not a very close listen by any means, but I really loved having this album in the background. I can get behind the burbly bass tone and synthy vibes. Will certainly have to go through another tour soon. High 4 / 5 for me.
This was like a mixture of Bowie and Depeche Mode. So naturally I'm into it. Just a fun ride through
A harbinger of the coming decade. Sleek, stylish and fun.
Thought this was quite fun
7/10 - it felt like depeche mode the whole time. But I like depeche mode so it was a positive.
Although sounding very Roxy Music, this holds its own in various ways. "Despair" interestingly makes me think of the them for the TV series, Westworld.
So fun and synthy! Very good to vibe with, feels alot like duran duran but more curated
Liked it a lot more than most other new wave. Melodramatic, reminded me a bit of dogmanstar. Pleasant surprise. 3.7
There some really good tunes here! Other where just ok, but overall I enjoyed listening to it a lot.
Can't go wrong with some solid new wave. It's interesting that they started out as a glam rock band. They sound very self-assured here even though they were trying out an entirely new genre.
A band and album completely new to me, and the sound is intriguing. Dare I say neoclassical? Some tracks really drew me in, and I enjoyed the sound overall, though I doubt it will be the most memorable listen of my albumfest. Biggest criticism from me is that Tomorrow's Parties had no need of being made even longer.
Love it.. Japan evolving from wannabe glam-rockers, to defining their own unique art-rock indie sound..
Good new wave
I'm weirdly into this album?
I quite liked this album. Reminded me at times of Duran Duran mixes with Joy Division and other times more of Roxy Music. The lead-off track, Quiet Life is the most memorable and poppiest song on here but all of them are pretty good. I now need to check out the rest of their catalog!
Quite enjoyable
Ok, this shit slaps! Vooral de Life in Tokyo extended versie vind ik fucking vet! De muziek klinkt gewoon best wel funky, er zitten dikke synths in. Ik ken niet echt New Wave muziek, maar ben hier best wel enthousiast over geworden. Eerlijk, als band was dit gewoon een stuk leuker en ik denk dat dit weer een leuke ontdekking is. Ook het feit dat dit uit 1979 is, maar genoeg nummers nog fris klinken! Is het dan een perfect album? Nee zeker niet, het kakt heel hard in voor me van Despair tot en met Alien. Het is niet slecht, maar gewoon een beetje nietsig. Dan pakt het aan het einde weer echt op en eigenlijk, als ik heel eerlijk bent, haalt het de relatief hoge score door de fantastische opener en sluiter van deze plaat. Die vind ik beiden namelijk echt fantastisch en halen het album van een prima naar een echt goed album. FAVO: Quiet Life, Other Sife of Life, A Foreign Place, Life in Tokyo
It was a pretty good album. Everyone is right on the money, very artsy Duran Duran. It honestly also reminded me a bit of Type O Negative
New Wave, Synthesizer Pop Ist ein wirklich gelungenes Album. Japan kannte ich vorher nicht. Werde ich mir mehr anhören
I took an early morning walk then drove to work in the fog while listening to this, which may have influenced my rating, but it fit the atmosphere just right and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
You give me a Velvet Underground cover and you win me over. Also, if you worked with Giorgio Moroder and shifted your style into a synth-pop style, you win me over too. And then if it's foggy and drizzly and you sing about Quiet Life and Despair, yeah, you did it.
Surprisingly, I liked it. Something positively mystical and light, yet energetic and upbeat at the same time
The sound of 1983. In 1979. This is actually quite good. Atmospheric and easy to listen to. That’s a good thing. 3.5
I unexpectedly like this. It promises, and delivers, synthesisers fake drums and moody stylish avante-garde artists from 1979. And I read of glam to synth pop shifts. First track passes muster, unexpectedly. They have that stylish 80s feel. Then I find they develop and become even more interesting, with experimental things (and their later albums keep getting better) Conclusion: stylish and interesting and more accomplished than I expected. a taste fo some of the better 80s elements, at time have quite a grand sound. ( I like from other albums alkso the tracks Burning Bridges, On Gentlemen take Polaroids). They benefit from an extra point for surpising me. And experimentation with eastern /arabic instruments - so unexpectedly cool overall. I will be curious to find out if they are as completely unknown in Australia as I suspect
I first heard David Sylvian in a year 8 music class, when Mr Glassop played 'Red Guitar ' for us. I think he was a bit obsessed with the song, and I was heavily influenced by that and became similarly obsessed with the 'Brilliant Trees' album it came from, when I eventually tracked down a copy a few years later. It was so much harder to find things in the 80s, especially if you were a teenager without much money to spend. I also totally got into his 'The First Day ' album with Robert Fripp a few years later. But I never really got into Japan, but I can hear the foundations of those albums in 'Quiet Life '. This record really is a missing link between glam and New Romantics. Clearly heavily influenced by Lou Reed, VU, Roxy Music (using their producer) and Berlin-era Bowie, but leaning into a softer, more spacious sound that they became known for in the early 80s. Funny to hear how much Sylvian changed his vocal style from the first two albums - this softer baritone is what he settled into for his subsequent career. Love Mick Karn's bass playing; it is weird and distinctive and strangely funky, and always adds a fresh surprise. While there is a lot of Roxy Music and Bowie influences all over this record, you can also hear how much it influenced music that came (shortly) after. Songs like 'Quiet Life's or 'Halloween' could easily be Duran Duran songs (if you turned up the colour saturation a bit), and 'Vogue' could totally be a Cure track. A bit of a forgotten band, but this was clearly a bit ahead of its time.
Not a name that I had heard of when it comes to big New Wave type bands, but I really enjoyed this record!
dang. so calm and upbeat at the same time. want to listen to all their stuff now.
The Moroder-sequencer-bolstered title track is a standout, as is Halloween, but I have never been quite convinced by the VU cover (or their covers in general). The rest of the album is still tied somewhat to their earlier glam output, certainly more so than Gentlemen or Tin Drum. In parts an amazing album for its time, and the start on the road to creating some extraordinary and unique work.
ooh I quite dig this one. Certainly a nice discovery, some of the tracks remind me of INXS and some obviously feel like new wave. Faves: Alien, All Tomorrow's Parties or Quiet Life if we're not counting cover songs :)
This was decent enough on first listen, and then I spotted it came out in 1979 on my second listen! 😳 Sounds great for coming that early in the synth pop trend! Very polished. Fave tracks - "Fall In Love With Me" is a mood. Their cover of "All Tomorrow's Parties" didn't land for me on first listen, but really grew on me second time around!
I really enjoyed this album. I am unfamiliar with the band and it is always nice to be directed to new old stock new wave.
I'm not very familiar with Japan, but as a fan of a lot of New Wave and post-punk music, I quite like them. This may have been a pivotal album in their catalog, but I think the subsequent album, Gentlemen Take Polaroids (1980) is a measure better. What I like about this late 70s-early 80s era of Japan is that they are bringing the compositional experimentation of prog forward with the cutting edge of synths and electronic drums. As another review said, some of this is utterly forgettable, but the parts that really click /really/ click. This is an excellent example of the moment--synth pop before the cocaine frenzy that folded into the genre in just a few short years.
Liked it!
Good. Catchy and eerie
Japan is one of those bands I’ve always been aware of but never took the time to explore their music. While it features a few upbeat tracks, the overall vibe is more laid-back and atmospheric. The standout element for me was the bass guitar, particularly in the second track, “Fall In Love With Me.” The bass in this track had a playful and quirky feel, adding a unique texture to the music.
Pleasantly surprised by this one. Don't know much about them but I am guessing this was an early trendsetter for the new wave movement. This album has some really great instrumentation and production, especially the synths and bass. The singing could be a little better, but it is fine. This album isn't straight synth pop either, it has some really good dark moments, which are a great mood setter and adds a lot diversity
4.0
Really enjoying the spooky new wave vibe of this album. It's keeping my interested, and the lyrics are good and haunting. Some interesting instrumentation on Halloween. Really good album overall. I liked multiple songs. The final instrumental song with interesting, with some Asian influence possibly. And some queer coded songs like Quiet Life, and Alien. Liked it very much overall!
Very late 70s techno-ish
I had never heard of them before, some good synth pop
Nascent New Romantic art-pop that feels oddly essential as a forbearer of synth-based popular music's meteoric rise in the years following its release.
Oh I love love this. Ethereal and so groovy. The brits really are goated at party and fun music. Quiet life is anything but that it shakes it breathes. The guitars are crying on all tomorrows partys. The mellow of knowing you have to party and yet being sad anyway. The music is so mellow one second and then the next we are grooving and the lyrics. Alien is amazing. The final song drones on at the end you have made it to the other side of life I want this album so bad now. The cover is so cool ahhhhhhh
This band helped pave the way for others that followed, specifically Duran Duran. Nick Rhodes & DD has been accused over the years for stealing David Sylvian's look (I can see that), but Japan still has a following of their own. They were never a big 80s band, but that's probably because they were the bridge from 70s glam rock to 80s New Romantic/New Wave. Japan is like a mellow Roxy Music, and there's definitely room on the musical spectrum for them. I know Japan isn't for everyone, but I enjoy them.
Despair reminded me of Western World theme song.. maybe there was some influence there. I’m very unfamiliar this album and band, and I enjoyed listening and am now a “fan”.
avant gardiste, succulent
Some songs overstay their welcome now but still a great album
This is an album that I wish I would have found sooner, when it was new. But I wasn'teven old enough for kindergarten when it was released. Over all, enjoyed this; can really see their lasting influence especially on Duran Duran & that era.
A lovely romp through the 80s vibes
Skön platta.
Listened to this in the Artists preferred order. Should go back and listen to it as released. In any case, pretty enjoyable.
The best New Wave/Synth-Pop band you’ve never heard of! 4.5/5
great synth album loved the atmospheric soud
Day120 - you can hear their influence on the new wave that was coming
Pretty cool to hear this kind of synth pop from 1979. Ahead of its time.
More interesting than most so-called "synth pop". And more than just "synth pop".
I like this. I already knew I enjoyed bold 80s sounds, but this has a surprising amount of musical interest beyond that. Don't remember which song it was but there were some really cool bass riffs in the mix.
Amazing "80s" sound in 1979.
Very much of its time
Great synth-pop/post-punk with some hints of Sylvian’s later eccentricity while still being danceable
Helt nicd
Stick a fretless on something and I’m gonna like it
Interesting precursor to the Post-punk & synth bands that are prevalent now such as Drab Majesty that is far ahead of its time with driving pop sections that are supported by synth sections that carry both groove and a sense of eeriness or dread that hook the listener almost immediately.
OK so this album was a bit weird - but in a good way and probably ahead of its time by a couple of years. While I can't call the vocals good by any stretch of the imagination, I enjoyed the album.
I know folks love these guys. I love certain moments by these guys. This album more brought me back to where I was when it was released than reminded me of the strength of the music. Certainly some real strengths, of course, and I remember the big deal when the album came out. But the unremarkable songs seem to cast a giant shadow. Probably just me.
Love the bass playing here. Reminds me a little of Duran Duran, but a little more dramatic and/or melancholic. If you like 80s synth pop, I can easily recommend this. Had barely heard of this band tbh, but it's definitely pretty damn solid, I'll likely be coming back to this one.
Loved this, so far ahead of its time
Elska melankólíuna hjá Japan. Vildi óska að þetta band hefði fengið meiri spilun hér á landi á sínum tíma. Það var varla að man vissi af þeim, nema vegna þýskra popp-blaða.
a really late 1970s new wave album that definitely inspired other bands in terms of sound, many people seem to say that japan's whole energy served as a heavy inspiration for duran duran's work especially. moody, mysterious, and sometimes synthy... most songs are pretty nice, really lets you relax your head on a pillow and be one with it all. those basslines are killer.
Interesting. It's proto-Duran Duran. (I mean, the synth in the first song is basically "Hold Back the Rain.") I imagine everyone who's sequences beats has this album tucked away somewhere. Some pretty interesting tracks on here. Unexpected bangers: In Vogue, Quiet Life, All Tomorrow's Parties
Wow. Me tomó por sorpresa. Ni sabía que existían, pero se oyen varias bandas aquí, como ya han dicho algunos.
New wave vibes
Lot of good ones on here. Will listen to it again
Ahead of it’s time, a new wave UK standard.
Fucking fire what the hell
Good, atmospheric album, great opening songs, gets a bit monotonous later on, but still a positive impact. New record to listen to from time to time.
Great stuff, although I wasn’t familiar with most of it
Actually kind of enjoyed this.
A cool early new wave/synth album, on the cusp of the era of the 80s new wave and synth explosion. There is something about Japan's Quiet Life that feels ethereal and whimsical with what will become a defining sound for the genre in the years to come. With clear influence from David Bowie, Duran Duran & Spandau Ballet all coming up in the scene creating that English art pop sound. Best: Quiet Life; Life In Tokyo Worst: Other Side of Life
Wow! Such a clear influence on Duran Duran. Cool album.
Liked it, would listen again
A slow burner, accidentally left on repeat and it was better on the second listen
3.5
Egentlig ganske bra. Trur da kan bli bedre om eg spele da nåken gonga til
Buen disco en general. Buenas bass lines, buenas progresiones armónicas (armonía compleja) y buena ambientación musical. La voz complementa muy bien con la música. Me gusta este tipo de música por sus matices; son un excelente recurso que crea un ambiente musical muy completo y no muchos generos lo usan. No soy fan del genero pero me gusto el album.
Need to revisit.
Solid
The extremely rare "New Romantics" album that gets me excited. My distaste for Boy George and everything he represents keeps me perpetually cool to this genre. This, however, is really genuinely cool and unique. Doesn't really fit in any box. Just a bit of darkness, but also very danceable, kind of alluring, irresistible, hard to get out of your head. For a specific type of mood, but I kind of like how I feel listening to this record. It just is very well done. 4/5
A silky smooth, smoky, neon-glowing good time. It's amazing how mood affects your enjoyment of something. I tried listening to this during a long car ride yesterday and thought it was incredibly dull and bad. Today it hit perfectly
Cool new wave album. Hadn’t heard of it buts it’s pretty good
Maneirinho, consegue passar uma atmosfera bem específica
I love Japan and David Sylvain or at least the idea of them. Everything is so stylized in a way that resonates with me. This record I always bring is going to be some revelatory and one of my favorite things ever and while the high points are certainly VERY high in my eyes, there is enough here that is JUST ok. It’s probably like a 3.5 on my own scale, but I’m gonna bump it up for “The Other Side of Life” alone
Japan is one of the more underrated synth pop bands from the late 70’s and early 80’s, and they should’ve been bigger than they were. ‘Quiet Life’ is full of jazzy arrangements, funky basslines, moody atmospherics, and a lead singer doing his best Bryan Ferry impersonation…what’s not to love?
Great in parts
A bit like The Clash or maybe Talking Heads? Little bit poppy, very 80s feeling (despite being 79).
This is quite an accomplishment for 1979. Leading the way towards a transition to the electronic sound that would come to dominate pop music in the 80s. I'm sure the Velvet Underground cover is done with reverence, but I think it takes the album down a notch.
Solid synth-pop/new wave album. Easy listening and over all a fun album. 4/5
I first brushed this off as sounding like a bit of a Duran Duran clone. But then I listened to this again, and I got more into it. Sylvain's voice is a lot different than in his solo stuff. It's a lot deeper there. The instrumentation with Barbieri was really good. "Despair," however, is one of the most morose songs I have heard. I got into in more and more, and my initial thoughts changed a bit. There was so much more here. It reminded me more of Missing Persons than anything else. I enjoyed it quite a bit.
I am a HUGE David Sylvian fan...I've seen him live twice (he rarely tours): 1st with Robert Fripp touring for their album "The First Day" and then 2nd on his Everything and Nothing tour (which to this day I still consider the best vibe I've ever felt at a concert, both the performers and the audience). His solo work is much more atmospheric and mature compared to his work with Japan, but there's a lot of good stuff with Japan. The knock against them on this album is there's still a lot of similarity to some other acts like Roxy Music and Bowie. Plus, Sylvian still had shades of the more "punky/glam" singing style he used on their two earlier albums before embracing his deeper voice. But there's lots to like here - Mick Karn's amazing fretless bass (particularly on In Vogue), Richard Barbieri's atmospheric keys (it's easy to recognize his sound if you're a fan of Porcupine Tree, a band that should be so much better known), Steve Jansen's subtle drumming, and of course Sylvian's voice. The band just gets better and better from here and then David Sylvian went off on his own and created some amazing, varied music. If you want to hear the best of David Sylvian, listen to songs like "Wave", "Orpheus", "God's Monkey" (with Fripp), and "Forbidden Colours" (w/ Ryuichi Sakamoto).
Cool, kinda nondescript
As moody as the cover suggests
Listen to the songs Rio and Quiet Life back to back. The copying is insane.
Glorious start of 1980s in music. “In vogue” is a pure brilliant. Do they know this music is in vogue again?
With the exception of the Velvet Underground cover, which sucked, this was an awesome surprise. I was expecting some Talking Heads bullshit, Blondie bullshit, but this was spooky evil and great.
Duran Duran BEFORE there was a Duran Duran. Wild. This is not what I was expecting. What a good album! It starts with Quiet Again (the single from the album). It is probably the least interesting song on the album. The album gets better from there. Fall in love with Me is pretty good. It has that Duran Duran sound but also some other 80s bands. The song Despair. Is slow and unbelievably amazing. The first think I thought of was how it sounded like Linkin Park (or how Linkin Park sounds like this). It is my absolute favorite song on the album. The haunting melody sucks me right in. It's nearly six minutes long and I didn't want it to end.... In Vogue isn't nearly as exciting or haunting, but it is a solid song. Halloween starts the second side. More Duran Duran sound. Of course, Japan was several years ahead of Duran Duran - so don't get me wrong... I'm not saying THEY sound like Duran Duran....vice versa... All Tomorrow's Parties was the second single from the album. It is a song originally done by the Velvet Underground and Nico. So, it may be familiar to some. Next is Alien and concludes with The Other Side of Life. Alien is kind of forgettable, but the Other Side of Life has a soft and melancholy melody. I am a sucker for the slow stuff and this one just captured me. Will I listen to this again and again? Yes. Did it belong on this list. Yes, I am so glad it was. 4/5
it drags a bit but it creates its own world convincingly and bridges the gap between roxy & bauhaus
I really enjoyed this! I'd never heard of Japan before and now I'm glad to have. I found the vocals a little samey, and quite stiff in that deep new wave way, but otherwise the instrumentation was really great. Stand out tracks: All Tomorrow's Parties, The Other Side of Life
som nask, meio sombriozao rico em sonoridade, alguns sopros e coisarada (diz q é new wave)
I hear the same influences in this music as I do in Duran Duran’s. Definitely Bowie. And The Velvet Underground…as evidenced in the cover ‘All Tomorrow’s Parties’. I love it.
Very cool. Never heard this before. It's like the missing link between Roxy Music and Duran Duran that I never knew I wanted in my life. And although David Sylvian doesn't have the melodic chops of either band, I dug the sounds, atmosphere, and bass playing. I liked it enough that I listened to a few other tracks from other albums. I did like Quiet Life the best of the few other tracks that I heard, but I'll keep digging. Anyway, glad this showed up.
I've always thought Japan an underrated band and although this album isn't even my favourite of theirs (Tin Drum is) it has All Tomorrow's Parties and Quiet Life (plus a real slow burner 'Despair') so it hits the spot with me. It has real Roxy Music and Bowie vibes which is a positive and of course David Sylvian's voice is like silk. It's soooo smooth. Love it.
Interesting album. This band developed a fascinating formula for their third record based on new wavy songs with complex bass lines, edgy synth patterns, and peculiar voice mannerisms that, conveniently enough, sounds like Japanese singers singing in English (I.e. L’arc en ciel, X Japan, etc.) Quiet Life, Depair, and Alien are memorable tracks in the album. My only opinion is that shorter songs would’ve worked best.
Japan is an exemplary representation of the New Romantic movement in England, before the movement took off. They never intended to be associated with the movement, and argued to have different ideals, but their glam fashion sense and artsy synth-pop style is exactly what New Romanticism tends to be characterized. The vocals and atmospheric synths surely served as a major influence to other New Romantic bands such as Duran Duran, ABC, and Flock of Eagles. You can really hear the fusion of electronic and glam rock that Bowie and Eno expanded upon in their Berlin trilogy with the contemporary New Wave movement, but I can also hear a lot of Roxy Music too in the vocals and horror-esque mood. It's danceable with many great pop tunes, but has a foreboding presence over many tracks, with the eery lyrics and busy atmospheric synths full of strange sound effects and a sax that take you places while still maintaining the same themes. It's weird to describe, but you never leave the "world" these songs create. These long instrumentals keep my attention and certainly justify how long each track is. I never felt bored by any of them. It only has 8 tracks, so each one stood out to me. It's actually really to pick a favorite cause I loved them all for different reasons.
Surprisingly good, although the opener was a little Rocky. Probably a little too long on each track to be a strong 4, but it still makes the cut.
Late 70s synth-pop… yes. Sonically I really liked it. Quiet Life especially was a great vibe.