Obscure Alternatives [Enhanced, Import, Limited Edition, Original recording remastered]

Japan | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 2, 2006)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced, Import, Limited Edition, Original recording remastered
• Label: Bmg Japan
• ASIN: B00005KAO9
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,635,806 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Automatic Gun

2. ....Rhodesia

3. Love Is Infectious

4. Sometimes I Feel So Low

5. Obscure Alternatives

6. Deviation

7. Suburban Berlin

8. The Tenant

Editorial Reviews

Japanese 24-bit K2 remastered reissue of 1978 album. Packaged in a miniature LP sleeve reproduction of the original artwork.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A step in the right direction., August 19, 2005

By 

Michael Stack (North Chelmsford, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Obscure Alternatives (Audio CD)

Japan's debut album was an earnest but fairly weak glam record, showing some personality but lacking in originality and songwriting. One would fear that they'd fall into a sophomore slump from an already low point, particularly considering that their followup was released in the same year as the debut, but what a difference a few months can make. It could be that they had more confidence in what they were doing, it could be that their relative success had given them a bit of levity with the label, or it could be that songwriter/vocalist/guitarist David Sylvian had developed quite a bit. Regardless of what the reason, "Obscure Alternatives" is a much more satisfying listen than their debut album.

SO what makes this better? Certainly, the songwriting is improved, with Sylvian tackling everything from the sort of straightahead glam he did on the debut ("Automatic Gun", "Sometimes I Feel So Low") to reggae-inspired new wave ("... Rhodesia") to minimalist, moody instrumentals ("The Tenant"). Certainly the title track, uncategorizable musically, while still a far cry from what was to come, is odd, original, and unique. Or it could be the beginnings of development of the later Japan sound-- drummer Steve Jansen is still a lot busier than he would be in the future, but his work is starting to show a sense of subtlety and taste. Or it could be the emergence of Mick Karn, with his bass mixed way up front and his playing beginning to develop the watery feel he would become renowned for. Honestly, I suspect it's a little of all of these, and while some of the tracks have that sort of lifelessness to them ("Suburban Berlin"), by and large, its a good effort.


Fans are encouraged to check out the UK reissue of this album-- it features much improved sound and as a bonus the long out of print "Live in Japan" EP, making it an exceptional value.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A step in the right direction., August 19, 2005

By 

Michael Stack (North Chelmsford, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Obscure Alternatives (Audio CD)

Japan's debut album was an earnest but fairly weak glam record, showing some personality but lacking in originality and songwriting. One would fear that they'd fall into a sophomore slump from an already low point, particularly considering that their followup was released in the same year as the debut, but what a difference a few months can make. It could be that they had more confidence in what they were doing, it could be that their relative success had given them a bit of levity with the label, or it could be that songwriter/vocalist/guitarist David Sylvian had developed quite a bit. Regardless of what the reason, "Obscure Alternatives" is a much more satisfying listen than their debut album.

SO what makes this better? Certainly, the songwriting is improved, with Sylvian tackling everything from the sort of straightahead glam he did on the debut ("Automatic Gun", "Sometimes I Feel So Low") to reggae-inspired new wave ("... Rhodesia") to minimalist, moody instrumentals ("The Tenant"). Certainly the title track, uncategorizable musically, while still a far cry from what was to come, is odd, original, and unique. Or it could be the beginnings of development of the later Japan sound-- drummer Steve Jansen is still a lot busier than he would be in the future, but his work is starting to show a sense of subtlety and taste. Or it could be the emergence of Mick Karn, with his bass mixed way up front and his playing beginning to develop the watery feel he would become renowned for. Honestly, I suspect it's a little of all of these, and while some of the tracks have that sort of lifelessness to them ("Suburban Berlin"), by and large, its a good effort.

This reissue includes expanded artwork and finds the CD housed in a digipack with a new liner notes essay by longtime fan Paul Rymer. Additionally, it is augmented by the long out of print "Live in Tokyo" EP. Originally released in 1980, its inclusion here is somewhat curious given that it was released after "Quiet Life", although three of the four tracks are from this record. It's interesting to hear just how far the material has come, in particular "Obscure Alternatives". Additionally, the video for "Sometimes I Feel So Low" is included on the data portion of this release. The material is all remastered and the record sounds superb-- I found the old Japan reissues to be a bit muddy and flat, this is drastically improved-- crisp, clear, and neither overly hot nor overly bright. "The Tenant" in particular benefits, it sounds superb.

All in all, a decent package and a reasonable album. Still not nearly the heights the band would scale to in the future, but well worth the investement for fans.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Their Formative Years, April 2, 2001

By 

JOHN SPOKUS (BALTIMORE, MARYLAND United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Obscure Alternatives (Audio CD)

On Obscure Alternatives, Japan had not yet matured into the great band that recorded Tin Drum, by far their best record, but the seeds are in place. Even at this stage , Mick Karn's bass playing, though not yet fully evolved into his famous fretless style, is still creative and captivating. David Sylvian's vocals owe more to Ziggy era Bowie than Bryan Ferry on this album. The guitar is more in the mix and funky than it would be in the later band, which completely did away with it by Tin Drum. Somehow this group's albums never sound dated, aging much better than similar bands from this era. Obscure Alternatives is not a bad artifact from an emerging band.