17 April 2012

Japan "Obscure Alternatives" (1978)

Obscure Alternatives
release date: Oct. 27, 1978
format: digital
[album rate: 3 / 5] [3,08]
producer: Ray Singer
label: Hansa Records - nationality: England, UK

Track highlights: 1. "Automatic Gun" - 3. "Love Is Infectious" - 5. "Obscure Alternatives" - 6. "Deviation" - 8. "The Tenant"

2nd studio album by Japan. The band has changed its style by moving away from glam rock and founded its style on art pop new wave and funk rock, thus being even more at the forefront of new musical styles. A few tracks are also avant-garde art pop pointing to later solo works by lead vocalist David Sylvian e.g. the title track but most significantly "The Tenant". Sylvian still sings in a way that mostly sounds like a Bowie clone. As on the debut album, Sylvian is credited for all compositions.
[ allmusic.com 3 / 5 stars ]