Japan's studio swan song follows up and expands on the course charted by Gentlemen Take Polaroids: highly arty dance-funk utilizing Asian and Western sonorities alongside David Sylvian's post-Bryan Ferry vocals. This classic album got a badly needed remastering job in 2003, and the results are... [+] Expand

Japan's studio swan song follows up and expands on the course charted by Gentlemen Take Polaroids: highly arty dance-funk utilizing Asian and Western sonorities alongside David Sylvian's post-Bryan Ferry vocals. This classic album got a badly needed remastering job in 2003, and the results are outstanding. Mick Karn and Steve Jansen were a unique rhythm section, with Jansen's sophisticated yet tribal drum patterns dancing around Karn's rubbery fretless bass. The icy keyboard sounds and layers are far more detailed and discernable, and Sylvian's guitar squalls have never sounded more urgent. Choosing highlights off an album this consistently excellent is an exercise in arbitrariness. On the 2003 release, the original album is augmented by an EP featuring the 12" version of "The Art of Parties" (as well as a live version, different than the Oil on Canvas version), the single version of "Ghosts," and "Life Without Buildings," previously available only on the singles collection Exorcising Ghosts. The EP could have easily fit on the same disc as the album, but the bonus disc and additional photo booklet make for a spiffy package. This is arguably the finest project any of these musicians have been involved with. ~ Sean Westergaard, All Music Guide [-] Collapse

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