GENTLEMEN TAKE POLAROIDS

Some of the reviews here are an absolute disgrace. Japan's last two LP's are certinly progressive music in the full sense of the word, maybe not to everyone's taste but they deserve a fair listen and review. Gentleman is by far my favorite recording by this wonderfully different band. Maybe their early glam rock efforts were indeed on the weak side but this recording is an absolute masterpiece. Had Japan stayed together they may well have been as big as bands like the Pink Floyd. The melodies are strong and the musicianship is very good indeed. Karn's bass playing is still unique, and added to the vocals give the overall sound a slightly woozy edge. This is what roxy music could have sounded like had Eno not been forced out so early on. Japan were never new romantics, their look and sound predated that movement, but they certinly helped give rise to bands like Duran Duran, who sound like a pale imitation of Japan at their very best.

Such a unique pair of recordings make Gentlemen and Tin drum essential additions to any well rounded prog rock collection. As for the haters one wonders if they listened to the recordings at all. 5 Stars without any hesitation.