Japan - Tin Drum (1981) [ALAC]

Japan - Tin Drum (1981) [ALAC]



Tin Drum is the fifth and final studio album by the British band Japan, released on Virgin Records on 13 November 1981

Tin Drum continued the band's now developed use of electronic elements coupled with traditional instrumentation, but leans far more towards Far Eastern influences than any of their previous albums. Guitarist Rob Dean had left the band by this point, with vocalist David Sylvian taking on his duties, which had become largely surplus to requirements in terms of their musical direction.

Four of the album's eight tracks were released as singles in the UK ("The Art of Parties", "Visions of China", "Ghosts", and "Cantonese Boy"), whilst a live version of "Canton" was issued as a single to promote the Oil on Canvas live album in 1983. Of these, the most commercially successful was "Ghosts", a minimalist, drum-free song which reached No.5 in the UK. "Visions of China" and "Cantonese Boy" also made the UK Top 30. The album itself peaked at #12 in the UK, and was certified "Gold" by the BPI in 1982.

"The Art of Parties" (Re-recorded version) – 4:09
"Talking Drum" – 3:34
"Ghosts" – 4:33
"Canton" (Jansen/Sylvian) – 5:30
"Still Life in Mobile Homes" – 5:32
"Visions of China" (Jansen/Sylvian) – 3:37
"Sons of Pioneers" (Karn/Sylvian) – 7:07
"Cantonese Boy" – 3:44