Reviews (page 4 of 8)
Goth new wave with saxophones! Actually pretty interesting considering it came out in 1979. I like the synths and the production overall.
No standouts
Being released in 1979, I assume this is a precursor to what became the 80s synth pop and you can see the foundations of that genre in this album. It just starts to drag after while and I kinda lost interest. It’s fine
I'd rather listen to Rio. middle and end of the album is a chore
Fun 80s sounding vibe. Enjoyed the saxophone in Despair.
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.
Solid New Wave, with obligatory VU cover to establish credibility. So, not really my thing.
One good song then it’s meh
Main song is good, rest is decent. Not a bad listen.
This started really well, but then the sound got pretty tiring pretty quickly. It is easy to hear where artists like Duran Duran & Spandau Ballet took their inspiration from. It's good and it's inspirational in terms of the direction music would take but it's not for me
Pleasantly surprised, not usually my thing.
Not my thing but I did enjoy it.
Meh this was too slow and brooding for me 2/5
It’s really interesting when you hear a band for the first time and think they sound like a more popular band only to find out they came first and were an inspiration for the more popular band. At the outset, I thought Japan sounded like Duran Duran. Come to find out, they inspired Duran Duran. This was a decent 80s feel album. I really liked the lead singer’s voice. It was soothing yet interesting. The album got a bit tedious about halfway through. I don’t know if I wanted to hear different sounds or maybe a touch of something different vocally, but something was needed to shake it up a bit to enliven the remainder. Overall, it was enjoyable, but likely forgettable.
This is kind of interesting considering when it came out. It must've been fairly early for this synth pop style and it does sound decent. I don't know if this invented anything.
This has a discordant sound for me. There is always something going on that I find distracting. I find the vocal choices grating. There are instrumental moments that are interesting. 2.5
Some good 80's pop
Maybe I'm getting worn down by all of these new wave albums, but this one as at least interesting. Still not great.
Wtf is that
This is a perfect example of why this challenge/app is so great. I know my 80s New Wave/Goth/Post Punk, etc... And yet, this album has completely eluded me. So many formative sounds! This could be DD or some late night Mtv throw away in December 1983! Absolutely stunning New Wave album that hits every note beautifully. LOVED discovering this record.
Not quite sure why this is on the list.
6,5/10
Synthy pop with some funky rhythms would listen again
I like the album cover. The music, on the other hand, I could barely make it through...
As I continue to catch up on all the 1001 albums to hear before I die recommendations I have piled up, I stumbled across Quiet Life by Japan. While I do very much appreciate the very 80s sounding New Wave this project embodies, a whole month before that decade would take off, I do also feel it holds this project back as a product of its' time. This project tries to be challenging but just comes off as subpar after all these years of aging. The songwriting is pretty unremarkable outside of Quiet Life, which also happens to be the only song from here I enjoyed. It is pretty fine and doesn't do a whole lot for me other than fill in 44 minutes of my time. I can see why others would enjoy this but I just couldn't care a single bit about this album after the first 5 minutes. Glad I checked it out but I won't be back anytime soon.
HORRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRIBLE!
I did like some "glam rock." The New York Dolls and Roxy Music are two examples, but Japan was hard for me to get excited about. I'm guessing the charisma/sex appeal of the lead singer would attract some fans to their shows. There's nothing compelling (or offensive) about this record. It's Not rock 'n roll.
Different
Good
I owned and loved 'Ghosts', and the b side 'The art of parties'. My uncle used to wax lyrical about the genius of David Sylvian and I never listened. After one listen of this I'm regretting not giving it my attention earlier. Some very strong stand out tracks 'In vogue' being one. I'm going to assume this is going to be an album I love.
Moody, atmospheric, arty - w a touch of 70s TV show theme music thrown in
Great album and tunes, thx !
Not my style, but a handful of interesting elements.
Playful but dated.
🥱
tbh I expected more
Solid psychedelic funk.
Duran Duran, Roxy, Depeche... They all wish they had a bassist like Mick Karn!
Feels like a distilled version of 70s and 80s synthpop but without the bombasity of similar bands that hit bigger.
I thought this was oddly great to be honest, a real insight into early art music and what went on to be a fantastic genre including some of the greats IE Roxy Music, I think this album was obviously pivotal for art rock but I also think greater stuff came later on and this was the catalyst, still an important album clearly
I think this was an interesting listen. Won’t go into too much detail as I can’t say I have too much to say about it, but I think it probably deserves its spot within the creation of new wave, and you can see the inspiration it had on others to come
New to me, but very familiar with the bands that apparently followed in their footsteps. Starts strong and loses steam in the last few songs, but the best tracks here are synth pop at its finest
Not my favorite.
I don't see the value of this record at all and have no idea why it's on the 1001 albums you must hear before you die.
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.
I really wanted to give this two stars due to the songs not being all that compelling. After my third listen I will acknowledge this album’s place - influencing other 80’s bands and albums that I do really like. OK, one extra star for being influential.
Woozy fun.
Very Duran Duran, which could be okay, but I found this to be monotonous.
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.
Nothing unpleasant here but nothing to remember either.
A nice album overall, cool fretless bass and some catchy tunes.
I liked it, it was right up my alley! Would listen again :)
It seemed to alternate between new wave and pop, but a good album I was unfamiliar with. Would listen again.
Early new wave. Great use of synths with post-punk basslines and hooks. Even some avant-garde sounds in there. It's pretty good! XTC vibes from 2nd track (Fall In Love With Me) Hooks do seem to get losf halfway... in favour of vibey tracks Did not listen beyond track 8 (original album tracklist) Fall In Love With Me also has a Nirvana feel in the bridge? Best track (other than Quiet Life) - Fall In Love With Me, Alien 3 stars - wanted to like it more (almost 4)
Sounds ahead of their time for 1980
Is pretty good ig
Not at all surprised to see the Roxy Music producer worked on this - the similarities are clear in those lush, textured soundscapes. While I don’t think any of the songs are particularly great the music *is* easy on the ear, if that makes sense. Those repeated instrumental patterns become quite hypnotic. Still, I’m hopeful my first experience of Japan (the country) next month will be a little more memorable than my first experience of Japan (the band).
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.
I liked Despair, 4/10
Quiet Life All Tomorrow's Parties
Perfectly fine but unremarkable new wave album. Cover of All Tomorrow's Parties was interesting.
United States been real quiet since Japan dropped this
ohhh thats where this sound comes from
I love Japan. There are a couple of bangers on this but other tracks not as good.
• 3/5 • Not great, but a fun throwback to the early new wave, syth-pop sound • I don't think I'd heard Japan before, but clearly Duran Duran had . . .
Muy repetitivo
-surely Japan is the last new wave band I hadn’t heard before this. because there are So Many -i thought this was decent… started off quite strong with the first two tracks but frankly lost my interest after that. it’s a little corny but the aesthetic has a certain charm to it, and it’s definitely better than some of the other synth pop i’ve heard from here -Favorites are Quiet Life and Fall in Love With Me
It was fine. 3/5
Heureuse surprise
Très cool instruments, catchy, mais fin d'album un peu moins forte. 3.5 arrondi à 4.
I have the sneaking suspicion that this guy isn’t actually Japanese
Like a streamlined Bryan Ferry, not a dis I like how it sounds of its time and still beautiful.
Kind of atmospheric rock
Like this. They obviously love Bowie. Icey.
This must have been ahead of the curve. Sounds like bands that were popular closer to the mid eighties.
Very New Wave, before New Wave was a thing. The front half of the album felt very poppy and proto-Duran Duran, and the back half felt more like The Cure. I wouldn't go looking to play this again, but it's not bad. My Rating: 3/5
Good drums and interesting bassline in some parts.
So moody. Sooooo 80s. Liked the cover of All Tomorrow’s Parties. Can’t deny the impact but I think I’m more about the later bands that took inspiration!
Another album that's from my youth, although I don't really recall it. It wasn't terrible, I made it all the way through, but it never grabbed my attention. It's another 3 star effort for me.
I was delighted to see this album--and band--on the list because it seemed like a great chance to comtinue to test my oft-hailed theory that there has never been a good band named after an official place name. Europe.... Boston... Kansas... Chilliwack... Asia... Chicago... all these bands suck. Flo Rida.... ya. When I read their description and found it was yet another new wave band on this list, I was all but sure it would suck. Anyway, for new wave, it kind of starts of dark, and continues to have dark tinges to many of the songs. Maybe not so much as Depeche Mode or someone, but at least not totally goofy like much of new wave. There's still plenty of goof though. I don't know what's going on with Halloween, for example. Overall, it's not always unpleasant. Some songs have a weird kind of groove to them, and I can see why people into this kind of music would like it. But all of that doesn't do anything to stop my overarching theory about bands named after official place names sucking.
I was expecting some regular schmegular 80s and was not that sad about it because those were fun and goofy times. This kicked way more ass than I expected!
Great moody synth cool to the touch, aloof, could very much get into this
The album that maybe spawned another shitty sub-genre.
Super interesting start to the album, with two great and fun songs, but it starts to fall off from there for me into some things that aren't really my cup of tea.
It’s like taking good music and making it imperceptible
Not bad
Newest of new wave. I’d never heard of this band but it’s obvious some of my fave 80’s groups did, so much so that it feels familiar. Duran Duran may have copied their format. Cool listen.
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.
Way better than I gave it credit for based on the album artwork alone. Moody and atmospheric. Solid 3. Not even close to a 4
I thought it had moments. The song Alien was pretty great. That said, I'll probably never listen to this one again.
80er - new wave vorläufer - nie gehört...? c
Quite an interesting album, I am not so sure of my feeling about this one I like tho the song Quiet Life 3/5
This must have been groundbreaking stuff because this is one of the earlier examples of Brit New Wave we have all heard 100s of times on this list. One song in and I am done. Just boring.
Nice baritone vocals (reminiscent of some visual kei singers), with Duran Duran/Tobias Forge instrumentation. Top track: Quite Life / Fall In Love With Me
nah
80's music in the 70s? Pretty wild. I was really into the first song then it really didn't go anywhere and the rest were about the same. I'm sure this was super influential on so many 80s bands, it just wasn't very influential to me.
Kind of the same over and over again. Synth-pop/Rock
You can tell the music industry was on the cusp of creating that 80s sound. However, in 1979 it just wasn’t perfected yet and this album is a perfect example of that.
Not my fav, rather depressing
started off really liking it, but the slowing pace and increasingly emo tone of the album kinda lost me! the terrible french was an absolute distraction as well, found that really difficult to listen to. i’ve saved the first song, but the rest i’d rather not listen to again. it started to feel disjointed. also listened to their other album which also started out strong but lost me
1/5. Yup, that's British synth. I don't think I enjoyed this one fully as I came down with a cold or something and this kind of just pushed along. It just didn't really stand out to me and I was left kind of wanting more. I actually enjoyed the instrumental track Despair, as it kept the aesthetic while sacrificing the vocals. It's not that they were bad, just very uninteresting. Best Song: Despair, Quiet Life
Stanby
Great synths and bass. Vocals are fine, but don't stand out especially. First couple tracks are decent but it kind of loses steam after that. The VU cover is great though.
Japan - I really love their style and sound, they have a unique dark vision and great songs but I didn't feel this album had any standout tracks. Not sure why Tin Drum isn't in the book but this one is. Far prefer that album.
Definitely forward thinking, electronic+rock is def a first time for me. Glam rock to a sleeker synth-pop and new wave
I actually liked this a lot more than I thought I would. Very Atomic Blonde soundtrack. Super sick 80s vibes. Really like the title song. Despair is so freaking melancholy. Feels like walking through a cyberpunk cityscape through the rain after a breakup or a funeral. Feels like yearning. In Vogue is almost giving me 007/Spy vibes.
It's clearly an influential album, way ahead of it's time. I had a very hard time getting into it though.
Has some good moments
☀︎Quiet Life: 3/5 ☀︎Fall In Love With Me: 3/5 ☀︎Despair: I do feel the despair. 2/5 ☀︎In Vogue: 3/5 ☀︎Halloween: 3/5 mais kinda nice. genre maybe je pourrais la mettre dans ma playlist d’halloween. mais ça vaut pas un 4/5 ☀︎All Tomorrow’s Parties: 3/5 ☀︎Alien: 3/5 ☀︎Other Side Of Life: 2/5 trop lent ☀︎A Foreign Place: 4/5 solide ☀︎Life In Tokyo: 3/5 3/5
Interesting
Interesting Prog rock vibes. I like it.
Kinda of OK for that genre of electro dance pop but not my personal fav.
cba listening looks like a pissy poo poo album, it’s just Duran Duran with more guy liner not fussed/5 FTW Japan have one good tune. It is not present on this record. 2/5
I'm a new wave fan, but this one just doesn't have a song that jumps out at me. It's all about 3.5 material for my taste.
Hadn’t heard much from Japan but solid also
In vogue kind of sounds like a dispicable me song, pretty groovy tho and i like the song Quiet life, very david bowie. Overall cute but not my sound 😛
First song is a banger. Everything else kind of drops off. Difficult to understand the lyrics
It was fine. Atmospheric but not as substantial as I would like. A little disappointed in the All Tomorrow's Parties cover.
It did sound more modern. I didn’t realize it was from the 70s until another user mentioned that in their review.
Duran Duran straight ripped these guys off. As far as New Wave music goes, I guess these guys are better than most? Seriously, if you told me this was a Duran Duran album, with Bondesque song included (In Vogue), I would have no questions. Holy shit, Giorgio Moroder produced a song on the album! Nailed it!
Actually good new wave. Definitely a jam.
The third best Japan album. Tin Drum or gtfo
Interesting at the very least, but unconvinced that this will be memorable.
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.
...
Pretty mid. Some songs were okay but none i’d come back to.
With a name as interesting as Japan, I’m honestly a little surprised I’ve never heard of this band before. One of the reviews mentioned “Quiet Life” being in one of my favorite games (Metal Gear Solid V), but I don’t even remember it. That also about sums up my take on this album. None of it was bad, but none of it was particularly memorable either. I suppose my favorite song is “Halloween” here, as it’s the catchiest. Nothing terrible, and there is a lot to like here when you listen to it, I just won’t really remember it after a while. Little too samey and generic at parts, even though as a whole the background elements to a lot of these songs are incredibly catchy. The singers voice bugged me at first, but it grew on me very quickly, which has happened a lot for this challenge. Ultimately, I’d come back to this band again. It’s piqued my interest. This is another instant lock for a 3.
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.
Wow, Duran Duran must have been fans!
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.
Not quite mi taste
a little hard to get through but enjoyable
A bit of a moaning Michael
duran duran's fathers
A rare pick where I've never even heard of the artist, but I'm sensing a British-centric trend here. Interesting. Of its time and place I suppose. I like the mix of disco and alternative rock but not particularly return-worthy.
Brittiläistä new wavea. Pitkiä ja maalailevia kappaleita, osittain vähän puuduttavaa mutta loppujen lopuks ihan ok. Tykkään basson soundista ja soittotyylistä, tosi jazzimainen. Parhaat: Alien, Halloween, The Other Side of Life
Duran Duran but a little darker
Better than I thought it would be
This album was alright - nothing mind-blowing. Pleasant to have in the background playing.
Wow. I remember when I got this. The vinyl wasn’t off the turntable for weeks. Still getting played regularly though Gentlemen is my go to Japan album.
This one caught me off guard, I can see how so many bands would have drawn influence from their sound in the 80's.
cool vibe
just a bit long highlights: Quiet Life, In Vogue
I liked the vibe, a little long but overall pretty good. A little repetitive and boring at parts though and not super unique
The reviewer who called this *Duran Duran on valium" Nailed it. Unrelentingly dull. Zero sauce. Bloody hell, how was this worse than The Doves..? And it's still going. How is it still going? Make it stoppppppp!
A couple of these are covers I think but was still blown away. This is another great discovery!
Ugh. Poorly done. I generally like this style of music but this just isn’t it.
Good title, my life felt quite while I listened to this album. No feelings, no interest, no anything. At least it didn't annoy me.
Okay but not as good as Duran Duran
Japan no es la típica banda de la escena de los New Romantics. Tienen un toque más “artístico” y glam que el resto de grupos adyacentes, y eso se nota mucho aquí. Posiblemente este es su disco más famoso, antesala de otros aún más experimentales como Tin Drum. 3'5/5
I found myself relistening to some of the songs. It's upbeat and funky enough to be a lot of fun.
a few good songs with some unnecessary stuff
Nice! Lots of poppy fun, but this isn’t interesting or fun enough to be a favorite or anything
Good band from the 80’s. 80’s sound.
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
This was a big bizarre but ultimately forgettable. Not quite my style but it was an enjoyable enough listen that I finished it
The sound of the songs and the singing feels very early 80s. I feel like I have heard the singer before but I know its not the same person. Nothing bad to say about the album but it doesn't interest me at all.
Pretty rompiche
DNF
Nije gentleman take polaroids ili ti drum ali je početak uspona. Jedan od najboljih art rock bendova na prijelazu sedamdesetih /osamdesetih
people in the early 80s were really obsessed with Japan (and Asia in general.) however this was actually released in 1979, so this is basically one of those albums that doesn't sound interesting or special because it originated a style that a bunch of people copied. while I recognize that, it still doesn't impress me and all these songs sound the same. favorite song: "in vogue" overall: 6/10
We're back in the Shit Factory, boys
Songs: All Tomorrow's Parties
- entspannt aber wenig spannend
There's nothing here that interested me and I have no interest in hearing it again let alone at all.
The opening track is nu-wave distilled into 4:49 isn't it? Mysterious vocals, echoing synths, relentless beat from the drum machine............... Of course, if you can't stand nu-wave then this isn't going to do anything for you, but certainly one of the gateway albums to the explosion that happened a few years later.
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.
Need another listen
Never heard of this band before. First impression? Sounds like the background track to every early 80's B action/buddy cop movie. Not a bad album, just... inoffensive. I did really enjoy In Vogue. Great tune! Also enjoyed "a foreign place."
Favorite Track: Quiet Life
Not doing much for me. There's some cool atmospheric moments on this album, but I don't vibe with the way the lead singer sings and the general sound isn't working for me.
Perfectly fine
I like a decent amount of new wave, but this was just a bit boring to me.
Sounds A LOT like Duran Duran to me. Not really my type of "new wave". Is it just name or was Despair totally ripped off for the Westworld TV theme?
It’s like hearing the 80’s being born.
A couple of great tracks but the album itself drags a bit.
Good. Very Duran Duran like. 3.5
Ballad dance dance revolution type of level
Never really checked these guys out before and wow, had no idea how much Duran Duran was inspired by them! As a bass player, I love this guy's sound. The songs don't do a lot for me, but their version of All Tomorrow's Parties is among the better Velvets covers I have heard. Was amused to learn that British frontman David Sylvian lived for a decade or so in the woods quasi-reclusively not too far from me in southern New Hampshire at a dormant ashram he purchased! I had a good time going down the rabbit hole of figuring out his life. Discovering this band, their body of work, and the members' unusual lives has been a treat. Prior to today, my only exposure was seeing their albums in a friends' collection in the late 1980s (I recall making fun of my friend for their look and specifically Sylvian's hairdo make it easy for me to be dismissive). I am looking forward to digging in. Having heard more of their catalog in the last 24 hours, I might have selected their final album as Japan, Tin Drum, for this list. The songs aren't catchier but that doesn't seem to be their objective anyway and the band sounds more confident in what they are doing and the album is better for it. Definitely a band and musicians worth getting to know better and a perfect example of why I like this 1001 project.
I feel like I've heard of Japan before, but since I imagined that they were in the spectrum of other one-word bands like Journey, Europe, Boston, Asia, etc., I suspect my memory of them is a bit suspect. Either way, they somehow met my already low expectations and yet *still* disappointed me. I think part of my disappointment was due to the video for their opening/title track, which seemed to be a studio "concert" performance of their song, with what appeared to be a whole cast of female zombies as the crowd (they weren't dressed or looked like zombies, mind you, they just literally didn't move at all, not even a little sway back and forth to the song), and the band seemed to have glam-rock-style clothing and hairdos, but everything just moved as if it were a (bad) dream underwater, with almost no affectation from anyone. And that low-low-low energy seemed to permeate the entire album, like they were dialing it in. (Although the opening part of "Despair", up until the French lyrics, sounds like a dead ringer for the opening music of the modern (Lisa Joy) "Westworld" TV series, which was kind of interesting; sadly, no Bjork-style videos for that song of milky bulls or robots or anything.) I didn't really have any favorites from this album, sadly, but the best of the lot seemed to be "In vogue" and maybe "Halloween" (just for its relative energy), with a nod to their cover of "All tomorrow's parties", which didn't do a lot for me but definitely wasn't as derivative as I'd feared it would be (but a bummer that they didn't replicate Nico's "potties" in the refrain). I'm not at all surprised that Japan had a hard time finding a particularly receptive audience in either North America or UK/Europe; it *does* surprise me that Japan (the country) embraced Japan (the band), perhaps simply for the name? I can also see why some compared this album's version of Japan to Roxy Music, but that didn't really occur to me until I read it in the Wikipedia and "1001 Albums" entries.
I bought a Japan album back in the day and wish it had been this one; I'd have liked it more. Their cover of All Tomorrow's Parties and the title track are the superstars here.
A really cool album that was a fun listen. I like the sleepy, dreamy vibe that they presented, but didn't love that it got so mumbled that I couldn't understand anything as the album went on. Favorite songs: Quiet Life Halloween
Why. No thanks.
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.
So I ALSO had the same thought. "This sounds a lot like Duran Duran". Interesting that they came first and influenced both of the Durans. Actually, his vocals sound like a cross between Duran Duran and Roxy Music.... Only not as good as either of them. He mumbles and moans too much and the songwriting doesn't grab me at all. The instrumentation features less than impressive playing (with exception to a few great bass lines). I especially did NOT enjoy the Velvet Underground cover of All Tomorrow's Parties. They butchered it. I hope they have better albums than this. Not my thing.
This sounded so much like Duran Duran, and turns out Japan was a big influence on them! Who knew? Not me. That's a pretty impressive mark on their resume. I thought the album was pretty good. They really experimented with a lot of cool sounds. I like how "synthy" it is, and then some of it feels very noir too, especially songs like Despair and Other Side of Life. I liked the first half better than the second. It might've been a 4 if it didn't start to bore me towards the end. Cool find though!
Quiet Life showcases a forward-thinking and remarkably polished sound—Japan were pioneering what would soon be known as New Wave, even before the term had entered the musical lexicon. Released in the late '70s, the album serves as a stylistic bridge between glam rock, the emerging New Romantic movement, and the sleek, synth-driven textures that would define much of '80s pop. It’s easy to see why this record is considered so influential. The lush synthesizer arrangements and punchy, melodic basslines feel ahead of their time, laying the groundwork for artists like Duran Duran, who clearly drew inspiration from Japan’s sonic blueprint. Favourite tracks: “Quiet Life” stands out as a synth-pop anthem bursting with style and sophistication, while “Fall in Love with Me” delivers a romantic, moody elegance that adds emotional depth to the album. Least favourite track: While the core of the album is strong, it does begin to feel repetitive at times. The cover of “All Tomorrow’s Parties,” in particular, feels like an unnecessary detour. Additionally, the bonus remixes included on the version I listened to didn’t add much and slightly diluted the overall impact. Album artwork: The cover is striking—stylish, enigmatic, and perfectly matched to the cool, modern aesthetic of the music. It captures the band’s distinctive visual identity and the forward-looking spirit of the album.
Nothing special. A couple of songs had me leaning towards 3 but overall I'm keeping it at 2.
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
Ganz schön modern für 79 aber nicht so meins
a pretty cool, but likely forgettable, kinda electronic pop album
First listen to this, nice album.
Not for me.
почему так много японского?)) но вообще слишком тоскливо, не
Quality tunes on this! A new wave album released in the 70s must've been insane when it first came out
A few interesting bits but mostly pretty boring.
This sounded like a prototype Duran Duran album. All of the stylings and sounds, but none of the catchiness of their material. I didn't dislike this album, it just felt very bland.
Pretty decent pop synth album. Would listen to it again if bored.
Honestly not a fan
Way more important than I expected. Some Depeche mode in Duran Duran but also prog Rock
Aburridisimo, aunque modernoso. No me acuerdo de nada. Nota: 2.4
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.
🎧Kind of sounds like Roxy Music
Cool album. Quiet life the song, is awesome.
Best Song: Quiet Life Holy New Wave Batman! This has pretty much everything I don't like about new wave including some saxophone. I would NEVER listen to this again.
just boring and uninspired, in my opinion. also, why is the band called Japan if they have nothing to do with Japan?
Well recorded, enough it could be a contemporary revival band. Sounds like unreleased tracks from 80s bands that could have been big hits
Yes
Still don't like British rock, and I'm a little offended that a group called Japan sounds nothing like japanese music. At least have some songs sound like city pop 💀 1
not my cup of tea
Just found it a little, dare I say, boring! But I can see how much it would have influenced the bands of the early 80s like Duran Duran and Spandu Ballet etc
M'eh, very 80s (even though it's 1979) but a but lame really
the musical equivalent of the silence from doctor who
album that is like "yeah i can see why this album inspired people to make the stuff i enjoy lots but since it's in that groundworks stage it's a bit less good" but i loved the synths and the tracks without Nye were baller
I didn’t expect such a Duran Duran sounding album from the 80s from this but still it sounds exactly like them. For a defining moment in the progression of the New Wave genre it is awesome and set the era well following this, however in retrospect it doesn’t have the quality that later new wave albums pick up from this. Still, appreciate it significantly!
Very '80s. It's fine -- not annoying in the way some early '80s music can be, but not particularly interesting, either.
Pas mal du tout, je ne connaissais pas !
Pleasantly surprising. Love the overall sound. Best tracks: Quiet Life, Despair, Alien.
Buhh! Kedeligt og grim lyd. Men ikke dårlig nok til at gøre sig fortjent til en 1er.
Voldsom meget synth
This one is for the heads, I think. It’s weird and wonky. I would say it splits the difference between Gary Numan and ABC. I find it oddly enjoyable here and there, but it’s not a great album, or a must-listen.
Interessanter New Wave, durchaus paar geile Sachen dabei
Bit dull, if I'm honest. Each song felt interminable, even though the average length was about five minutes.
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.
Maybe the reason I needed to listen to this album before I die, is to be able to inform others they don't need to listen to this before they die.
eh
Definitely Duran Duran before Duran Duran was a thing.
If I had heard this when it first came out in ‘79 I may have been impressed with the innovation or talent or some such thing. But without that context I did not hear anything all that impressive. And their cover of the Velvet Underground actually made me hate them a little.
Definitely the 80s synth sound. Not hard to listen to, but not likely to be remembered. I prefer Nico’s “All Tomorrow’s Promises.”
Proto-Duran Duran. Not bad, but doesn't catch me, either.
Слишком мрачный и томный нью вейв, растянутый и тягучий. Минус
Meh. Uninspired and uninspiring. Doing very little for me.
Not great
3.5/5
I dig the vibe! There was a slight lull, but cool stuff.
3.5
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 ★★★★
I like David Sylvian as a vocalist. Not the biggest fan of the style of music, but it is well-executed and grows on you. 3.5 stars
I thought this album was pretty cool. It's sort of a missing link between the 70s Art Rock of Roxy Music and David Bowie and the 80s New Romantic bands like Duran Duran. I didn't love the VU cover, but I think everything else is pretty good. I especially liked the first half of the album. High 3.5 stars that would probably grow on relisten.
Am a huge japanophile. Akira, Eva, Cowboy Bebop, Nintendo, Kagemusha, Geishas, Tentacle porn etc. Love it. Not a huge fan of this though. Store brand Roxy and Bowie.
Really cool album with awesome bass playing.
it's actually quite amazing how many British new wave bands made albums that you have to hear before you die
Fun synth and great bass tone. This was pretty fun, though it could stand to be shorter. 3.5/5
New wave, but a little less exciting than its contemporaries or successors.
Pretty good. Velvet undergound cover!
I liked this. I’m always looking for more new wave-y mellow morning sounds
how did they manage to make SYNTH-POP so boooooring. The vocals were really not my style. 3,5/10 (+1 for french lyrics)
Halfway between Roxy Music and Duran Duran, and not as good as either.
I hate to say that it was a bit boring, but it's true. I was never a fan of Japan and this album just reassured me of that view.
You can hear how they influenced 80's New Wave. You can also hear how those later bands are more engaging. 2.5 rounded up.
Good voice, early entry in the genre, but ... a little bland. Doesn't quite have the magic of Depeche Mode or OMD.
Nothing special.
starts strong but loses steam
#575. It sounded promising at first, but honestly I found my interest waning as the album progressed. 3/5: not too bad.
Dramatycznie mdły i niczym się nie wyróżniający. Nie dałem rady do końca.
very 80’s at ‘79, some hits, some misses, not too memorable tho
I did not expect how much I would enjoy this record. When it started off I was not feeling this at all, but from Despair (which sounded like it could be on Bowie's Low or Heroes) onward it really changed and it turned into a very chill and interesting album. While I am normally not really into synth pop, I like what they’ve done with this album and it also sounds pretty great. And seeing that this is from 1979, it appears very much ahead of its time. So props to that I guess.
For being a 79 album this seems ahead of it's time. I can see how this paved the way for all the 80s music that followed. 3 stars
It sounds well mixed but the music is very boring and dragged out
cringe ahh pop synth gahhh
Did not enjoy at all
I was pleasantly surprised by this one. Ot reminded me a bit of Roxy Music but with a darker vibe. It loses steam on the last 3 tracks but overall this was a good album
Not the greatest New Wave band of the lot, not even their best album, but it's still quite a good catch of early 80s pop music.
This music left me completely indifferent. I can't find anything to say about it. It wasn't bad, but...
Very fun, some absolutely ridiculous basslines in here.
It's quite nice, this. I like the production and general mood on it. There's some really atmospheric synths and soundscapes going on. This is a typical, 'not really my bag, but I quite enjoyed it' album.
Fairly ahead of its time given it's from 1979 but sound like Duran Duran in the mid-80s. Still not my cuppa.
Fun album but don’t see myself re-listening to this.
Decent record
Most of the songs have pretty good music in them, but the singing is not so great. Very repetitive, and the songs are too long. Biggest dud was Fall In Love With Me which had an annoying background track. Despair had some good piano music. In Vogue was pretty fun. Best song: In Vogue
It's 80s pop. Most of it is actually OK, considering I hate 80s pop. It's simultaneously Paint By Numbers 80s pop, yet for some reason it's way more catchy than irritating. I can't explain it, but I'm giving it 3 stars.
its oke
Pitää myöntää etten tykkää ”japanilaisesta äänimaailmasta” eli noista ei länkkäri-asteikkoa seuraavista kilutteluista, tai kannen typografiasta… Mut laulajasta toisaalta tulee mieleen Gazetten Ruki. A-puoli on ihan kelpoa! B-puoli tylsää. Miksi tarvittiin All tomorrow’s parties, ja vielä kahdesti? Jää kakkoseksi.
Nämä kumeat kasarilaiset haahuilevat tekemättä varsinaisesti mitään kokeellista (mikä tuskin sekään olisi ollut hyvä ratkaisu). Homma junnaa paikallaan, paitsi ehkä ekassa ja vikassa biisissä, joissa on jotain ytyä (mutta joita en usko kuuntelevani jatkossa). 1,5
Gave a few songs a chance but.... pass
Just very dull new wave no idea why this is on the list no redeeming qualities as far as I can see
Nope
I liked this better than some actual new wave. Cool. 3/5
Crazy to think that this is from the 70s when it sounds like the 80s. A fun album, but it is tad too long.
Unimpressed
Not real inspiring music, boring. The sound seems muted, flat sounding.
Meh, a little too whiney for me
Fall In Love With Me //
My brother, 18 months younger, had this album along with Rio and Let's Dance - I was more a post-punker than a New Romantic. I did see Japan live on the Oil on Canvas tour, and gradually over the last twenty years have found my way back to their genius. Tin Drum, Gentlemen Take Polaroids and now Quiet Life. It joins Iggy's The Idiot as the only album I have had to immediately go out and buy. Come for the immaculate Moroder disco groove of the title track, stay for the finest coda Roxy never wrote on The Other Side of Life. Five stars, even without actual Moroder non-album track Life In Tokyo. Best apocryphal story about the album: that Sylvian blew the entire clothes budget for the shoot on the red jacket on the cover. Good choice.
Some of this album is outstanding while some is just plain boring
i vacillated between liking this a lot and having it grate on me. still an interesting album.
I started out really enjoying this (kind of a Kajagoogoo / Duran Duran joint) but the tempo drags and gets really monotonous toward the end.
Seems like a pretty good example of new wave music, but I just don't like this kind of thing.
I know the country but never heard of the band or album. Hints of Bowie & Roxy and that helps.
More 80s, but kinda lifeless
Duran Duran on Valium. Very boring.
Not a fan.
I enjoyed this one a lot, interesting how it has a very mid 80s pop sound despite being released in ‘79
I liked this when it came out and I still like it now. Saw them live and they sounded awesome if a bit boring to watch.
Overall a pretty dull album. Have a hard time listening to lyrics delivered so drably. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Somewhat pleasant, totally forgettable
I was mainly familiar with David Sylvian through his work with Ryuichi Sakamoto and Fennesz, so this was a delightful surprise. Definitely feels like a step towards an 80s synth pop sound, but not quite fully formed
3/4