Tin Drum
Encyclopedia
Tin Drum is the fifth and final studio album produced by the British band Japan
. Released in the U.K. in November 1981, the album continued their 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 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", "Cantonese Boy", "Visions of China" and "Ghosts
"), 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 40. The album itself peaked at #12 in the UK, and was certified "Gold" by the BPI
in 1982.
In 2000, Sylvian re-recorded "Ghosts" using the original Japan backing track and included it on his compilation Everything and Nothing
.
On 6th September 2011, Tin Drum was awarded BBC Radio 6 Music
's 'Goldie' award posthumously for the best album of 1981.
Side A:
Side B:
Bonus disc on the 2004 CD reissue
Guest musicians:
Japan (band)
Japan were a British New Wave group, formed in 1974 in Catford, South London. The band achieved success in the late 1970s and early 1980s, when they were often associated with the burgeoning New Romantic fashion movement .- History :The band began as a group of friends...
. Released in the U.K. in November 1981, the album continued their 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
Rob Dean
Rob Dean is a British musician, who rose to prominence playing guitar as a member of the British band Japan.-Biography:He is from Clapton, Hackney, London, England.-Japan:...
had left the band by this point, with vocalist David Sylvian
David Sylvian
David Sylvian is an English singer-songwriter and musician who came to prominence in the late 1970s as the lead vocalist and main songwriter in the group Japan...
taking on his duties which had become 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", "Cantonese Boy", "Visions of China" and "Ghosts
Ghosts (Japan song)
"Ghosts" was a single by the British band Japan from the 1981 album Tin Drum. It reached number five in the UK Singles Chart in 1982. Although it was their biggest hit, this was not enough to stop the band splitting a few months later....
"), whilst a live version of "Canton" was issued as a single to promote the Oil on Canvas
Oil on Canvas
Oil on Canvas is a live album by the British band Japan, released in 1983 by Virgin Records. Although it is a live recording of their established material, the album also contains three new studio tracks , recorded separately by Sylvian, Sylvian/Jansen and Barbieri respectively...
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 40. The album itself peaked at #12 in the UK, and was certified "Gold" by the BPI
British Phonographic Industry
The British Phonographic Industry is the British record industry's trade association.-Structure:Its membership comprises hundreds of music companies including all four "major" record companies , associate members such as manufacturers and distributors, and hundreds of independent music companies...
in 1982.
In 2000, Sylvian re-recorded "Ghosts" using the original Japan backing track and included it on his compilation Everything and Nothing
Everything and Nothing
Everything and Nothing is a compilation album by David Sylvian. Released in October 2000, the album touches on music from Sylvian's twenty years with Virgin Records.It was released in two versions...
.
On 6th September 2011, Tin Drum was awarded BBC Radio 6 Music
BBC 6 Music
BBC 6 Music is one of the BBC's digital radio stations, was launched on 11 March 2002 and originally codenamed Network Y. It was the first national music radio station to be launched by the BBC in 32 years....
's 'Goldie' award posthumously for the best album of 1981.
Track listing
All songs written by David Sylvian, except where noted.Side A:
- "The Art of Parties" (Re-recorded version) – 4:09
- "Talking Drum" – 3:34
- "Ghosts" – 4:33
- "Canton" (Jansen/Sylvian)– 5:30
Side B:
- "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
Bonus disc on the 2004 CD reissue
- "The Art of Parties (Single Version)"
- "Life Without Buildings"
- "The Art of Parties (Live)"
- "Ghosts (Single Version)Ghosts (Japan song)"Ghosts" was a single by the British band Japan from the 1981 album Tin Drum. It reached number five in the UK Singles Chart in 1982. Although it was their biggest hit, this was not enough to stop the band splitting a few months later....
"
- The bonus tracks were included only on the limited-edition two-disc version of the album. The single-disc version features no bonus tracks.
Singles
- "The Art Of Parties" UK #48
- "Visions of China" UK #32
- "Ghosts" UK #5
- "Cantonese Boy" UK #24
Personnel
- David SylvianDavid SylvianDavid Sylvian is an English singer-songwriter and musician who came to prominence in the late 1970s as the lead vocalist and main songwriter in the group Japan...
: vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
, guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, keyboards & keyboard programming, tapes, cover concept - Steve JansenSteve JansenSteve Jansen is an English drummer, percussionist, singer and composer. He was educated at Catford Boys' School, Catford, South East London, where he failed academically, leaving at 16....
: drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, acoustic, electronic & keyboard percussion - Richard BarbieriRichard BarbieriRichard Barbieri, is an English synthesiser player, keyboardist and composer. He was educated at Catford Boys' School, Catford, South East London...
: keyboards & keyboard programming, tapes - Mick KarnMick KarnAndonis Michaelides , better known as Mick Karn, was an English multi-instrumentalist musician and songwriter, who came to fame as the bassist for the art rock band Japan, from 1974 to 1982....
: fretless bass guitar, African fluteFluteThe flute is a musical instrument of the woodwind family. Unlike woodwind instruments with reeds, a flute is an aerophone or reedless wind instrument that produces its sound from the flow of air across an opening...
, didaDidaDida can refer to:*Edvaldo Alves de Santa Rosa, former Brazilian football player famous in the 1950s and 1960s*Andre Amade, Brazilian mixed martial artist*Dida , real name Nélson de Jesus Silva, Brazilian goalkeeper...
Guest musicians:
- Yuka Fujii: backing vocals
- Simon HouseSimon HouseSimon House is a composer and classically trained violinist and keyboard player, perhaps best known for his work with space rock band Hawkwind. His arrival in 1974 introduced a new element to the band's style...
: violinViolinThe violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
Additional personnel
- The Red Room/EMI - design
- Steve NyeSteve NyeSteve Nye is a music producer for several artists. Some of his better known artists include Bryan Ferry , Penguin Cafe Orchestra, XTC , Japan , David Sylvian , Clannad, TM Network, Scary Thieves , as...
- engineer - Fin Costello - photography