Tin Drum [Limited Edition, Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered]

Japan | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 7, 2003)
• Original Release Date: 1981
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Limited Edition, Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
• Label: Caroline
• ASIN: B0000AQOQT
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #406,433 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Art of Parties

2. Talking Drum

3. Ghosts

4. Canton

5. Still Life in Mobile Homes

6. Visions of China

7. Sons of Pioneers

8. Cantonese Boy

Editorial Reviews

2003 remastered reissue of 1981 album features 12 tracks including a bonus disc with four tracks, 'The Art Of Parties' (Single Version), 'Life Without Buildings' (B-side), 'The Art Of Parties' (Live - B-side), & 'Ghosts' (Single Version), packaged in a cl

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Stylish Reissues Lacking In Substance, November 12, 2003

By 

Christopher Derer (Blue Bell, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Tin Drum (Audio CD)

EMI was unable to really cash in on Japan until David Sylvian's 20-year contract with Virgin Records ran out in 2001. After that impressive milestone came to pass, the label began the process of remastering and repackaging their three Japan albums, the Rain Tree Crow reunion one-off, and Sylvian's solo recordings. For better or for worse, the obsessively controlling Sylvian provided extensive input into the proceedings, the results of which look very impressive upon initial examination. However, as is often the case, the surface belies the substance.

First off, studio engineer Tony Cousins has managed the impossible in producing a warm, organic sound from these discs, a remarkable achievement considering the longterm complaint by audiophiles that compact discs lack such an aesthetic quality. These CDs come as close to replicating the output of virgin vinyl (no pun intended) as I've ever heard, without the usual associated aural anomalies. However, my argument is not with the music - these albums are all truly brilliant in their own right and the remastered sound quality is superb. And Japan is certainly worthy of having their material revisited and properly reissued. However I must question many of the decisions made regarding content, organization, and design. A common gripe that I have with all the releases is the digipack packaging. While more visually appealing than the standard jewelcase, digipacks are more delicate in nature and of greater susceptibility to damage during both distribution and handling. If a jewelcase is broken, it's easily replaced - the same cannot be said of digipack components. Here are other, album-specific complaints:

GENTLEMEN TAKE POLAROIDS: The alternate cover photo is a splendid variation, but the original should have been incorporated as well. The inclusion of the lyrics to "Nightporter" appears random and arbitrary - why not reproduce all the song lyrics?

TIN DRUM: The special packaging is superfluous - a cardboard slipcase would have achieved the same effect. The second disc is wasteful, as this material could have easily been included on the main album. The pictorial booklet is certainly well compiled, but I think most fans are beyond the 'image worship' phase by now.

OIL ON CANVAS: There was no need to divide the content between two discs, as it obviously fits comfortably on one CD. However, EMI can charge more for a 2-disc set, thus explaining that decision. Washing the color out of the cover painting is an odd alteration that reduces its appeal.

In summation, far too much effort was channeled into the overly precious packaging when greater emphasis should have been given to the musical content. There are several tracks currently unavailable on CD that could have easily been included on these releases, including "Gentlemen Take Polaroids" (single edit), "Burning Bridges" (original mix), "Some Kind Of Fool" (original recording), "Visions Of China" (extended mix), "Nightporter" (single edit), "Ain't That Peculiar" (alternate mix), and "Canton" (live single version). Accompanying booklets with complete discographies, single cover art, song lyrics, interviews, biographies, etc. would have been greatly appreciated by fans. Sadly, it is a rare occasion when an artist's followers are consulted for projects of this nature, which shows extremely poor foresight given that the fans are the direct product consumers.

EMI has executed other back catalog reissue campaigns with exceptional results, including those for Ultravox, Human League, O.M.D., and Culture Club. In comparison, I find the new Japan and David Sylvian re-releases to be disappointing. Perhaps I might have been more forgiving had I not purchased all of these albums several times previously in various formats, a factor with which many collectors can empathize. EMI could have acknowledged this by offering these releases with mid-line prices similar to the above mentioned artists' CD reissues. Alas, corporate greed wins again.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ghostdancing, May 6, 2000

By 

Michael Nurse (Sydney, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tin Drum (Audio CD)

On hearing Mr Sylvians latest album, that wonderful but flawed master piece Dead Bees on a Cake, I had to trawl back thru my Japan catalogue. I needed to gorge myself on some luscious music for dessert. So, he has moved on, but oh what wonderful music he was making way back then. Tin Drum was a commercial success and richly deserved although one can argue that Gentlemen Take Polaroids had stronger songs. It is such an exotic album containing a melange of soul/techno/electric/asian influences. Ever present is the moody sensual voice of Sylvian but perhaps just as importantly, the wonderful bass and drumming of the highly underated Mick Karn and Steve Jensen. Standout on the album is the heavy use of pre-recorded sounds, samples and specially programmed synthesisers. From the glorious Visions of China, the eerie Ghosts to the rythmic tableau of Talking Drum this is an album to be savoured. Way ahead of its time like everything Sylvian was doing in the 70's and 80's, its a testament of the creative genuis and bravery that pushed them to test the limits of their unique genre by producing a record that is at the same time style setting, while retaining its artistic integrity. These boys were more serious about their music than adulation although they were among the best looking bands on the planet at the time. Sylvian would go on to great things in his solo career with Brilliant Trees and Secrets of the Beehive but unfortunetly this wonderful piece was the full stop for Japan. The album was a clear progression from their earlier work, containing a unique style of song construction and arrangement. Sylvian abandoned this musical style when he broke up Japan, did not resume it with his solo career and never attempted to re-create it with the dismal reformation album Rain Tree Crow. The absence of Jensen and Karn obviously the missing link on his solo records. If you like this you must also get Oil on Canvas as it is a worthy companion piece from that era. Still, years later, Japan remain one of those wonderful unique groups that remain unclassifiable. Pity they were mistaken for all the other 80's new romantic hairstyle bands. This bunch were sitting for their masters while the rest were still playing in the sand pit at kindergarten.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Japan's finest moment, July 18, 2001

By 

k-e-v (England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tin Drum (Audio CD)

Japan should have been massive - they had all the right ingredients but reached their peak just as Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet et al were hogging the limelight. Tin Drum was their magnum opus - a veritable cornucopia of hook-laden oriental electro-pop. Tin Drum isn't a particularly long album but in this instance quality reigns supreme over quantity. It's one of those rare albums where the mix is so deep and intricate, woven like a fine tapestry, that the more you listen to it the more subtleties you detect. It's also a timeless album - sounding more original and exciting than a lot of today's contemporary music.

David Sylvian's distinctive voice blends beautifully with the rich layers of finely-crafted synth, underscored by the wonderfully complex percussion. Add to that Mick Karn's unique fretless bass playing, and the result is sheer ear candy. Karn has an unparalleled ability to play bass like a lead instrument - bending notes in all directions and skipping octaves with ease. This talent is used to excellent effect on Tin Drum enriching the overall sound.

There are no weak tracks on the album although Sons of Pioneers is a little slow getting started. For me the highlight is Visions of China - this one stands out as it competently showcases the creative skills of the band members, the end result being an absolutely fantastic track.

I used to think it's a shame that there was no successor to Tin Drum - but maybe it's just as well as Japan would have been hard pressed to better it. Tin Drum is a gorgeous album - born of a time when creativity was still more important than the sales sheet.