I just wish that these live videos didn't include montage clips of Chinese people going about their lives... it's supposed to be a live performance (yeah, with some dubbing lol).
They all know how good this album is but regret not knowing at the time how they could have made it even better...kind of like Da Vinci wishing he could go back and "fix" the Mona Lisa. We see perfection...they see flaws.
In the late 70s I used to write for a local music paper. One day I stopped at the office to get some LPs to review. The editor took me down to the record room and handed me 2 albums and said " We don't want a review of these, but I think you'll like them." He had given me the first 2 Japan albums.
the combo of bass and drums in this song and Sons of Pioneers is absolutely brilliant. Words fail me and I just sort of flail about with how much they make me happy. The roundness of the drums, the uniqueness and presence of the bass, not to mention the woodwinds Mick played ... just absolutely amazing! This song was my introduction to Japan -- I'm sorry I didn't learn of them earlier but I wasn't even a teen when this came out, and I was in the US. Oh, to have seen them live in person.
This song, in particular, has absolutely brilliant drumming, and then you add in Mick's amazing bass and it all gives me the best chills. The combo is ... I'm speechless after all these years. This is potentially my favorite Japan song. It kills me that my husband, who was a wonderful drummer, passed away recently and I can't play this song for him for us to both geek out over. I hate that all of our nights staying up all hours listening to music I didn't play Tin Drum for him. Especially knowing that Barbieri was in Porcupine Tree, which he got into last year before he passed. And the fact that Mick is gone, too, just seems so unfair.
Good musicians...But, could not score with consistant hits that others like Duran Duran made easily to be big in Music Biz !!! Japan came close, but not close enough!
The terrible vocals ruin the potential of the rest of the band. The music they brought out when they disbanded without the singer, were much, much better.
I would sneak in my 2 older sisters room when I was maybe 10 in 1979. Anyway I would play this constantly! I love you Sharon n Beth for loving good music and letting me think I was sneaking in your room
Seen them live at manchester apillo about 1987 or 88 remember steve on drums and david s vocals mock.karn gteat bass player andrichard my partner and both shared a love of japan till he passed away 2 yrs ago my partner loved micks guitar olaying
Am I the only one that thinks this live version is even better than the studio recording on “Gentlemen Take Polaroids”? This particular recording might be my favorite song by the band
I barely remember it. I think my younger brother bought it. But I never really got into it. Maybe cus Selling England was so great it never got near to that greatness, in my mind & soul anyway. - Peter leaving felt to me-& millions of others-like the death knell of the group at that time. Is amazing they blew our collective minds with Trick & Wind! - ~ But fantastic doc!
Over pretentious. Well played bu never grabbed my interest. When their music got more catchy, then came a great vibe. Commercial success was the reward. Less is more. The three wrote stuff that dwarfs this self indulgent album
