Japan – Gentlemen Take Polaroids

Japan – Gentlemen Take Polaroids

Released in 1980, Gentlemen Take Polaroids is the fourth studio album by British band Japan, and a pivotal record in the development of their sophisticated, atmospheric art-pop sound. Originally issued on Virgin Records, the album was produced by John Punter and recorded at London's AIR Studios and The Townhouse Studios. It reached No. 51 in the UK Albums Chart on its original release.

The album captures Japan at a fascinating point in their evolution. The group's earlier glam and funk influences had increasingly given way to an elegant combination of synthesizers, fretless bass, electronic percussion, atmospheric guitar and David Sylvian's distinctive vocals. Richard Barbieri's keyboards and Mick Karn's highly individual fretless bass are particularly important to the album's sound, creating the fluid, spacious textures that would become central to Japan's final period.

The title track, “Gentlemen Take Polaroids,” opens the album with an extended seven-minute arrangement that combines a sophisticated rhythmic groove with Sylvian's detached vocal delivery. Released as a single shortly before the album, it became Japan's first UK-charting single, reaching No. 60.

“Swing,” “Burning Bridges” and “My New Career” continue the first side's mixture of art rock, electronic pop and understated funk. The second side moves into some of the album's most adventurous material, beginning with the expansive “Methods Of Dance” before Japan's distinctive interpretation of Smokey Robinson and the Miracles' “Ain't That Peculiar.”

The atmospheric “Nightporter” is one of the album's defining moments. Built around Sylvian's delicate piano and vocal performance, with subtle electronic textures from Barbieri and the distinctive instrumentation of the band, it has a dreamlike, minimalist quality that points towards the even more refined sound of Tin Drum. The closing “Taking Islands In Africa”, co-written by Sylvian and Japanese electronic pioneer Ryuichi Sakamoto, adds another layer of exotic, electronic colour to the album.

The personnel make Gentlemen Take Polaroids particularly interesting for collectors. Alongside David Sylvian, Mick Karn, Steve Jansen, Richard Barbieri and Rob Dean, guest musicians include Ryuichi Sakamoto, Simon House and Barry Guy. This combination of British post-punk musicians and adventurous electronic and jazz-oriented collaborators helped Japan move decisively towards the sophisticated art-pop and electronic music of their final albums.

For collectors of Japan, David Sylvian, Ryuichi Sakamoto, new wave, synth-pop, art rock, post-punk and early electronic pop, Gentlemen Take Polaroids is an essential album. It represents the crucial transition between the band's Quiet Life period and the landmark Tin Drum, while tracks such as “Gentlemen Take Polaroids,” “Methods Of Dance” and “Nightporter” remain among their most distinctive recordings.

Side A

1. Gentlemen Take Polaroids – 7:06
2. Swing – 6:25
3. Burning Bridges – 5:20
4. My New Career – 3:54

Side B

1. Methods Of Dance – 6:53
2. Ain't That Peculiar – 4:40
3. Nightporter – 6:57
4. Taking Islands In Africa – 5:15