|
|
|
| Japan
: Discography |
Sound Files | Links
|
Japan formed in the mid 1970s, releasing two unremarkable pop albums in the vein of Roxy Music. Heavy on the glam, the group built their popularity in the U.K., Europe and Japan. Japan's creative period, however, began with Quiet Life, which exhibits an innovative mix of art-rock with strong eastern influences. Propelled by Mick Karn's incredible fretless bass playing and Steve Jansen's staccato drumming, Japan developed one of the most interesting sounds this writer has ever heard. Due perhaps to their innovativeness but also to the Japanese fascination with the group's unique look and sound, Japan were very popular in the Asian country as well as the U.K.
Japan briefly reformed in 1991 (minus Rob Dean) for Rain Tree Crow. The music generated has little in common with Japan's original albums. The band has always experienced some tension between its members, especially between Sylvian and Karn. The complete group has not reformed since. See links for more info on band members' solo projects.
ashley
macissac | deus ex machina | die
in cries | fobia
|
            
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Broken
up by 1983, Japan released Oil on Canvas, a live disc including
some rarer tracks. To the best of my knowledge, all members of the group
are still making music with the exception of guitarist Rob Dean.
Vocalist and multi-instrumentalist David Sylvian has enjoyed a
long and acclaimed career as a solo artist. Phenomenal bassist and multi-instrumentalist/composer
Mick Karn has released several solo albums and collaborated with
David Torn, Terry Bozzio, Peter Murphy (ex-Bauhaus) and other notable
musicians. Richard Barbieri, Japan's keyboard player and Steve Jansen,
drummer, have collaborated with Karn and others on a variety of
projects.
