Artist: Various Artists
Title: Still Life in Polaroids
Genre: Alternative / Darkwave / Indie / Industrial / New Wave
Release Date: 5th May 2023
Label: Coitus Interruptus Productions
Album Review
‘Still Life in Polaroids’ is a tribute to JAPAN and the associated works of the various members of the band. It was compiled and produced by Coitus Interruptus Productions and Yvette Winkler - who features on several of the tracks with her own band VASELYNE and as a guest with other artists.
JAPAN were one of the most iconic bands associated with the futurist genre. Their first two albums: ‘Adolescent Sex’ and ‘Obscure Alternatives’ - both released in 1978, however, were a Glam Rock / New Wave hybrid. Their early musical endeavours bear little resemblance to the later stuff: Over the next few years the band melded synth sequences with oriental beats to produce their distinctive sound which is a kind of futuristic funk fusion. David Sylvian’s soave, baritone, the late Mick Karn’s saxophone and fretless bass, Steve Jansen’s expert drumming and Richard Barbieri’s superb keyboard mastery, made JAPAN one of the most unique bands of that decade - releasing a final album ‘Oil on Canvas’ in 1983.
They disbanded in late 1982 to pursue their individual careers. Their haunting (no pun intended) hit single ‘Ghosts’ reached number two in the UK singles charts. Fans were devastated when JAPAN disbanded in 1982, at the height of their success. David went on to have a very successful solo career - his single ‘Forbidden Colours’ was the theme tune to ‘Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence’ staring the late Ryuichi Sakamoto. In 1984, Mick teamed up with ex-BAUHAUS vocalist Peter Murphy, with DALIS CAR, producing edgy tracks like ‘His Box’ and ‘The Judgement is the mirror’, however the project was short-lived. JAPAN briefly reformed in the early 1990s as RAIN TREE CROW releasing an album in 1991.
The artists on’ Still Life in Polaroids’ have beautifully captured the essence and talent of JAPAN whilst each still maintains their own individual sound. I’m pretty much blown away as soon as I pressed play by the first track: ‘His Box’ by ASHES OF YOUTH. This is followed by a beautiful rendition of ‘Black Water’ by ATTASALINA. The next track, ‘The other side of life’, is flawlessly delivered by BLACKCARBURNING. The love and respect for the original band, shines through in the expert composition. CODENAME: LOLA give ‘Canton’ a modern remake. THE ESSENCE totally nail ‘Quiet Life’. I am in awe of this album that pays homage to the musical genius of the Japan members, expertly melding Western and oriental melodies to revisit Japan classics, yet with their own twist.
It is a musical tapestry, weaving a symphony of melodies and the story of one of the most fascinating and unique bands of the 1980s. MELODYWHORE’s rendition of ‘Ghosts’ is so close to the original that I could close my eyes and picture David Sylvian sitting cross-legged on the floor, plucking his guitar, on Top of the Pops. Whilst a handful of tracks imitate the original artists, there are definitely others with more interpretive renditions like the soulful ‘Riverman’ by VASELYNE, CZARINA’S powerful performance of ‘Halloween,’ and a soft, piano blues version of ‘Transmission,’ which is a world apart from the original 1978 version.
‘Still life in Polaroids’ is the perfect tribute to JAPAN, its former members and fringe projects. It is quite possibly one of the finest collections of artists mastering some rather obscure, but splendid, alternative music. Every JAPAN fan needs to listen to this.
Tracklist
01. Ashes Of Youth - His Box
02. Attasalina - Blackwater
03. Blackcarburning - The Other Side Of Life
04. Brian Hodges & Pieter Nooten (Feat. Marselle Hodges) - Let The Happiness In
05. Codename: Lola - Canton
06. C Z A R I N A - Halloween
07. David Scott Keller - God Man
08. Dogtablet - Despair (Ft Marselle Hodges)
09. Dreamscape Invocation - World Citizen (I Won’t Be Disappointed)
10. G.W . Childs Iv - Gentlemen Take Polaroids
11. Krate - Oil On Canvas
12. Melodywhore - Ghosts
13. Michael Alan Giller - Closer Than ‘I’
14. Pedro Code & Herr G - Methods Of Dance
15. Pete Burns (Kill Shelter) - Waterfront
16. Stefano Panunzi & Nicola Lori (Feat. Yvette Winkler) - Damage
17. Tenderlash - Life In Tokyo
18. Tearing The Blackbox (Feat Yvette Winkler) - Back In The Beginning
19. The Blue Hour - Nightporter
20. The Essence - Quiet Life
21. Tom Berger (Johnny Tupolev) - Visions Of China
22. Unwoman - Darkest Dreaming
23. Vaselyne - Riverman
24. White Rose Transmission - Transmission
Website
https://coitusinterruptusproductions.bandcamp.com/album/still-life-in-polaroids-a-tribute-to-the-works-of-japan-and-beyond
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 10
Sound: 10
Total: 10 / 10
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