Gentlemen Take Polaroids
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| Gentlemen Take Polaroids | |||||
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| Studio album by Japan | |||||
| Released | November 15, 1980 | ||||
| Recorded | 1980 | ||||
| Genre | Synth pop, New Wave | ||||
| Length | 46:26 | ||||
| Label | Virgin Records | ||||
| Producer | John Punter | ||||
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| Japan chronology | |||||
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Gentlemen Take Polaroids is the fourth studio album by the British band Japan. Released in 1980, it was the band's first album for the Virgin label. It continued in the vein of their previous album, Quiet Life, utilising a combination of electronic elements coupled with more traditional instruments, though culminating in a more sophisticated and atmospheric production than its predecessor. This was the last Japan album to feature guitarist Rob Dean.
Although not a huge chart hit upon its initial release in the band's native UK (where it peaked at #45), the album was later certified "Gold" by the BPI in 1986 for 100,000 copies sold.
Interestingly, the band Duran Duran were at AIR Studios (where the Polaroids album was made) at the same time recording demos.
"Taking Islands in Africa" re-appeared as the B-side of the "Visions of China" single in 1981, then remixed by Tin Drum co-producer Steve Nye.
The track "Nightporter", influenced by the works of French composer Erik Satie and especially his Gymnopedies, was remixed and re-released in early 1982 following the success of album Tin Drum and then became a U.K. Top 30 hit (#29). Both the edited 7" version and the full-length 12" remix remain unreleased on CD.
An unfinished track from the Gentlemen Take Polaroids sessions, "Some Kind of Fool", was completed by David Sylvian in 2000 and included on his compilation Everything and Nothing.
[edit] Track listing
Side A:
- "Gentlemen Take Polaroids" – 7:08
- "Swing" – 6:23
- "Burning Bridges" – 5:23
- "My New Career" – 3:52
Side B:
- "Methods of Dance" – 6:53
- "Ain't That Peculiar" – 4:40
- "Nightporter" – 6:57
- "Taking Islands in Africa" – 5:12
- All songs written by David Sylvian except for "Ain't That Peculiar" written by Smokey Robinson/Warren "Pete" Moore/Marvin Tarplin/Robert Rogers and "Taking Islands in Africa" written by Ryuichi Sakamoto/David Sylvian
- "Methods of Dance" was also used as the title for two Virgin compilation LPs of new talent released shortly after this album. The track itself was used as the B-side to the 12" single of "Nightporter" which became a UK top 30 hit in late 1982.
Bonus tracks on the 2003 CD reissue
- "The Experience of Swimming" - 4:04
- "The Width of a Room" - 3:14
- "Taking Islands in Africa (Steve Nye remix)" - 4:53
- "The Experience of Swimming" and "The Width of a Room" are instrumentals by Richard Barbieri and Rob Dean respectively. They were originally B-sides of the "Gentlemen Take Polaroids" single, and also appeared on a 90's US Caroline CD issue of the album.
[edit] Singles
- "Gentlemen Take Polaroids"
- "Nightporter"
[edit] Personnel
- David Sylvian: vocals, synthesizers (ARP Omni, Oberheim OB-X, Minimoog, Roland System 700), piano, electric guitar
- Mick Karn: fretless bass guitar, oboe, saxophone, recorder
- Steve Jansen: drums, synthesizer (Roland System 700, Sequential Circuits Prophet 5), percussion
- Richard Barbieri: synthesizers (Roland System 700, Micromoog, Polymoog, Prophet 5, Oberheim OB-X, Roland Jupiter 4), sequencer, piano
- Rob Dean: guitar, ebow
Guest musicians:
- Ryuichi Sakamoto: synthesizers
- Barry Guy: double bass
- Andrew Cauthery: oboe
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