Superb Japan as normal. Love that sax. Another highlight from the Gentlemen Take Polaroids album. What is staggering about Japan to me, is how they manage to pack in so much 'atmosphere' in their songs. Beautiful vocals. Sublime tune.
One of my fave songs from one of my fave albums. I'm kinda glad not even Izzy [as a local from the UK, long time Japan enthusiast and native speaker unlike me] is sure what it's about. I do enjoy the sounds, the different instruments (and the atmosphere they create) and all the words anyway. "I could never hurt anyone Least of all you" Isn't that beautiful?
I never knew the meaning of any of their songs, I just enjoyed their sonics, even when I was older I didn't even necessarily want or need to know, I just love the tracks regardless
Gentlemen take polaroids, the only vinyl I had to buy again as I wore it out. Wonderful song, I've sang this many times! I'll have to see if you've reviewed methods of dance and alien - cheers for posting.
Never knew what the song was about, wasn't sure if it was an imaginary tale of someone relocating to a new town with a new job but the lyrics "playing our song outside where no one can here" makes me think it is a continuation of the theme for the "Quiet Life" song, where they , as a band, were ignored by their homeland, the UK , but successful in places like Japan. Not sure if it is about that, but a theory
An entirely logical interpretation! And beyond the possible lyrical themes, the composition and layered sonics in their songs is just crazy. Unique music.
John Foxx, Japan, Cocteau Twins, Kate Bush …. my 80s … really cool that you‘re revisiting. Japan were superb, the bass/drum rhythmn section was unique and then they quit just as they hit the big time. You should explore Sylvian‘s work.
Can I make a suggestion? Two tracks away is "Ain't That Peculiar?" Which is a cover of a Marvin Gaye track, written by Smokey Robinson. I suggest u listen to that (on or off camera) first before listening to the Japan version. On that note, there was a Smokey Robinson cover by Japan, (I Second That Emotion) you have already reacted to in the Japan reaction folder for reference to how different their treatments are.
Okay, cool. At the very least, I'll listen to the Robinson original via RUclips before reacting to the Japan cover. Also I've been meaning to do another track from the last batch you sent. There's not one in today's bunch, but I'll make sure to get one in sometime this weekend. Cheers, brother.
Hahaha, the posh London/BBC accent version of that word does sound like that! Also I'm now thinking of the "northern monkeys/southern fairies" banter in the film version of Lock Stock, so obviously that cultural "rivalry" is keenly and comedically felt in several venues.
@@mattsnider2667 I am sure that you, like me cringe a little when Northerners like Timothy Dalton and Sean Bean use that fake London accent in movies, but delight when they use their real accents.
Superb Japan as normal. Love that sax. Another highlight from the Gentlemen Take Polaroids album. What is staggering about Japan to me, is how they manage to pack in so much 'atmosphere' in their songs. Beautiful vocals. Sublime tune.
"I'm all about that bass, bout that bass.." Gorgeous track, so sonically elegant but that bass is the spine it all hangs off.
You are exploring my childhood and teenage obsessions: Abba, Japan and Cocteau Twins. The synths and bass on this are so, so good.
One of my fave songs from one of my fave albums. I'm kinda glad not even Izzy [as a local from the UK, long time Japan enthusiast and native speaker unlike me] is sure what it's about. I do enjoy the sounds, the different instruments (and the atmosphere they create) and all the words anyway.
"I could never hurt anyone
Least of all you"
Isn't that beautiful?
I never knew the meaning of any of their songs, I just enjoyed their sonics, even when I was older I didn't even necessarily want or need to know, I just love the tracks regardless
Gentlemen take polaroids, the only vinyl I had to buy again as I wore it out. Wonderful song, I've sang this many times!
I'll have to see if you've reviewed methods of dance and alien - cheers for posting.
It’s “they’re playing our song at the start of my new career”.
Sonically, it's beautiful as ever. I was never sure if it was a real violin but thanks to the comments here that has been confirmed
Never knew what the song was about, wasn't sure if it was an imaginary tale of someone relocating to a new town with a new job but the lyrics "playing our song outside where no one can here" makes me think it is a continuation of the theme for the "Quiet Life" song, where they , as a band, were ignored by their homeland, the UK , but successful in places like Japan.
Not sure if it is about that, but a theory
An entirely logical interpretation! And beyond the possible lyrical themes, the composition and layered sonics in their songs is just crazy. Unique music.
John Foxx, Japan, Cocteau Twins, Kate Bush …. my 80s … really cool that you‘re revisiting. Japan were superb, the bass/drum rhythmn section was unique and then they quit just as they hit the big time. You should explore Sylvian‘s work.
It was a real violin played by someone called Simon House
I cannot wait for you to react to Methods of Dance, Nightporter and my all time favourite Taking Islands In Africa
The song is like Max's fever dream about ghosts and ladies of the night.
Or maybe what John Peter listens to with his harem?
@@mattsnider2667 He dreams about covering Clint Eastwood and Kurt Russell in Mayo.
They're from south London.
Catford, South East London.
🔥👍
Can I make a suggestion? Two tracks away is "Ain't That Peculiar?" Which is a cover of a Marvin Gaye track, written by Smokey Robinson. I suggest u listen to that (on or off camera) first before listening to the Japan version.
On that note, there was a Smokey Robinson cover by Japan, (I Second That Emotion) you have already reacted to in the Japan reaction folder for reference to how different their treatments are.
Okay, cool. At the very least, I'll listen to the Robinson original via RUclips before reacting to the Japan cover.
Also I've been meaning to do another track from the last batch you sent. There's not one in today's bunch, but I'll make sure to get one in sometime this weekend. Cheers, brother.
@@mattsnider2667 all good ! Thanks!
@@mattsnider2667 oh it's Marvin Gaye singing it btw
Matt, keep away from the south of England. They say "fast" as "farst". Weirdos!
Hahaha, the posh London/BBC accent version of that word does sound like that! Also I'm now thinking of the "northern monkeys/southern fairies" banter in the film version of Lock Stock, so obviously that cultural "rivalry" is keenly and comedically felt in several venues.
@@mattsnider2667 I am sure that you, like me cringe a little when Northerners like Timothy Dalton and Sean Bean use that fake London accent in movies, but delight when they use their real accents.