search for something...

search for something you might like...

Say Hello... Wave Goodbye Jay Lewis revisits Japan with the release of the Deluxe Edition of 'Quiet Life'

Say Hello... Wave Goodbye

Jay Lewis revisits Japan with the release of the Deluxe Edition of 'Quiet Life'

by Jay Lewis, Reviews Editor
first published: March, 2021

approximate reading time: minutes

this meticulously assembled reissue...allows for reappraisal of the record

Japan - quite life

 

 Japan 
 Quiet Life (Deluxe Edition)
 BMG

 

For a band that had consistently been out of step with prevailing musical trends, Japan’s arrival in the public consciousness one Thursday night in October 1981 could not have been timelier.

Their performance of 'Quiet Life' on primetime TV show Top of the Pops came at a time when formerly avant-garde artists were remaking and remodelling themselves for mainstream success.  However unintentionally it may have been, Japan were now part of the musical zeitgeist. Japan

Although, that TV appearance did seem like a peculiar move. The band had just finished making their fifth and final album (‘Tin Drum’), yet there they were, miming to a song that was over two years old, one that been recorded for a label that they were no longer signed to and were no longer on the best of terms with. Furthermore, having recently dismissed their guitarist (Rob Dean), there was a peculiar instance during the performance when his solo began and he wasn’t there to mime along with it...

But against all of the odds, they excelled. Visually, it may have been singer David Sylvian’s Ferry-like croon, suave mannerisms, and elegant dress sense (Ferry again) that drew the attention. But Mick Karn’s fluidity with his fretless bass was remarkable (a style which allowed him to guest on a number of other musicians' records before his untimely death in 2011), as was Steve Jansen’s driving drums.  However, it was keyboardist Richard Barbieri whose pulsating Moroderesque synthesizer sound that added the electronic sheen that was integral to their distinct blend of art-pop.

The following year would see an irrational parade of re-releases from their old label (Hansa) alongside newfound critical acclaim for their sophisticated swansong ‘Tin Drum' (Virgin).  It's intriguing that their biggest hits were a rather pallid take on Smokey Robinson's 'I Second That Emotion' (from the 'Quiet Life' era) and 'Ghosts' a quiet and angsty moment of lonely dread from 'Tin Drum'. To the casual observer, it may have appeared to be just a tad confusing.

Japan

Forty years on from Hansa’s fevered attempts to recoup what they may have lost, this meticulously assembled reissue (a half-speed remastering of the original album as well as all singles, b-sides, remixes, and an entire 'lost' live album), allows for a reappraisal of the record.

After the two ill-judged long players that preceded it, the bands one-off single with producer Giorgio Moroder (‘Life In Tokyo’), seemed to change everything. Barbieri’s keyboards moved to the fore and Sylvian loses the unconvincing sneer of earlier recordings in favour of a sombre and more reflective tone. It’s as if all the New York Dolls albums had been removed from the communal stereo in favour of some Eno and Bowie’s Berlin trilogy.  

By the time it came to record the album Japan have been reborn, Mick Karn added saxophone to his repertoire on the lonely and lovely ‘Despair’ (Sylvian even gets away with singing in French), and they’re confident enough to compose the cinematic ‘The Other Side of Life,’ with a sublime orchestral arrangement playing alongside Barbieri's melancholy piano.  They even turned in a genuinely brilliant cover with the VU’s ‘All Tomorrow’s Parties’. 

In a little over a year from that first appearance on Top of the Pops, Japan disbanded. They didn’t stay around long enough to be out of step again and, despite the personal fall out (another article, some other time), there is something rare and dignified about that. Furthermore, they never succumbed to exhuming their hits on the nostalgia circuit.  What remained though was a handful of exquisite and experimental albums that have maintained their allure over time, ‘Quiet Life’ is the pioneering moment that it started to make brilliant sense. 

Jay Lewis
Reviews Editor

Jay Lewis is a Birmingham based poet. He's also a music, movie and arts obsessive. Jay's encyclopedic knowledge of 80s/90s Arts films is a debt to his embedded status in the Triangle Arts Centre trenches back then.


about Jay Lewis »»

Pete Williams web banner

RECENT STORIES

RANDOM READS

All About and Contributors

HELP OUTSIDELEFT

Outsideleft exists on a precarious no budget budget. We are interested in hearing from deep and deeper pocket types willing to underwrite our cultural vulture activity. We're not so interested in plastering your product all over our stories, but something more subtle and dignified for all parties concerned. Contact us and let's talk. [HELP OUTSIDELEFT]

WRITE FOR OUTSIDELEFT

If Outsideleft had arms they would always be wide open and welcoming to new writers and new ideas. If you've got something to say, something a small dank corner of the world needs to know about, a poem to publish, a book review, a short story, if you love music or the arts or anything else, write something about it and send it along. Of course we don't have anything as conformist as a budget here. But we'd love to see what you can do. Write for Outsideleft, do. [SUBMISSIONS FORM HERE]

WRITERS thru' the Years

Agata Makiela, Alan Devey, Alan Rider, Alex V. Cook, Ancient Champion, Andy Allison, Annemiek, Becca Kelly, Belle Plankton, Bruce Bailey, Caiomhin Millar, Cassie Thomas, Chantal, Cheiron Coelho, Chris Connolly, Christian Present, Damon Hayhurst, Dan Breen, Danny Rose, David Hackney, David O'Byrne, Denni Boyd, Dirty Lillie, DJ Fuzzyfelt, Dr. Rich, Dr. Richard Bennett, Duncan Jones, Erin, Erin Pipes, Erin Scott, Gracey Babs, Graham Baker, Guilaine Arts, H.xx, Hamilton High, Henderson Downing, Holly Martins, J. Charreaux, J.Lee, Jay Lewis, Jaycentee, Jennifer Lynn, Jenny McCann, Jeremy Gluck, Jez Collins, Joe Ambrose, John Robinson, Jonathan Thornton, Julie O, Karl Morgan, Katherine Pargeter, Kelsey Osgood, Kevin McHugh, Kiah Cranston, Kleo Kay, Lake, Lee Paul, Luke Skinner, Malcolm, Marek Pytel, Mark Piggott, Martin Devenney, Meave Haughey, Michelle Williams, Mike Fox, mindy strouse, Neil Campbell, Neil Scott, Ogglypoogly, OL House Writer, Pam, Paul Burns, Paul Hawkins, Paul Mortimer, Paul Quigley, Peter Williams, Pixie McMowat, Pixievic, Rene Williams, Richard John Walker, Rick Casson, Rikki Stein, Ronan Crinion, Rowena Murphy, Ruby Lake, Ryan 'RJO' Stewart, Samantha Charles, Seth Sherwood, Shane O'Reilly, Sheridan Coyle, Sofia Ribeiro Willcox, Sophia Satchell-Baeza, Spanish Pantalones, Speedie John, Spencer Kansa, Steve McCarthy, The Conversation, Tim London, Tim Sparks, Tony Fletcher, Toon Traveller, Trevi, Urs Lerch, Wayne Dean-Richards, and founders, Alarcon & Lamontpaul

OUTSIDELEFT UNIVERSE

Last NIght of the LTB Showrooms
OUTSIDELEFT Night Out
weekend

outsideleft content is not for everyone