Tin Drum

LP cover

**Tin Drum** is the title of the fifth and final studio album by British group Japan, released on 13 November 1981 on Virgin records. It became the group's highest charting album, reaching no.12 in the UK, and was certified gold in 1982.

All the songs on *Tin Drum* were written by frontman David Sylvian. Canton and Visions of China were written with Steve Jansen and Sons of Pioneers with Mick Karn. The album was produced by Steve Nye.

The album was preceded by the release of the single The Art of Parties in April, although the track was re-recorded for inclusion on the album. A further single Visions of China was released immediately prior to the album, followed in 1982 by Ghosts and Cantonese Boy. These three all reached the UK Top 40.

Despite commercial success and critical acclaim, tensions within the group and with their management meant that Japan would split after a promotional tour of *Tin Drum* lasting until the end of 1982. A live album *Oil On Canvas* documenting the tour was released in 1983.

During 1981 and 1982 Japan also enjoyed commercial success with the re-release of some of their back catalogue as singles (see Quiet Life, European Son, I Second That Emotion) and a retrospective album, *Assemblage* released in September 1981.

The four members of Japan would eventually reunite some ten years later under the name of Rain Tree Crow to record and release a single eponymous album in 1991.

## Personnel

* David Sylvian – vocals, guitar, keyboards
* Mick Karn – fretless bass guitar, African flute, dida
* Steve Jansen – acoustic drums, electronic drums, keyboard percussion
* Richard Barbieri – keyboard, keyboard programming, tapes
* Additional: Yuka Fujii – backing vocals, Simon House – violin

## Tracklisting

   original Virgin LP/MC (timings from release)
Side One
1. The Art of Parties (4:09)
2. Talking Drum (3:34)
3. Ghosts (4:33)
4. Canton (5:30)

Side Two
1. Still Life In Mobile Homes (5:32)
2. Visions of China (3:37)
3. Sons of Pioneers (7:07)
4. Cantonese Boy (3:44)

Re-issues
* 2003 2xCD, CD1 as above plus CD2: 1. The Art of Parties (single version), 2. Life Without Buildings, 3. The Art of Parties (live), 4. Ghosts (single version)
* 2008 remaster: as above

## Singles

UK only

UK rel. date April 1981, UK chart peak 48
7" VS 409
* A. The Art of Parties (3:55), B. Life Without Buildings (6:40)

12" VS 409-12
* A. The Art of Parties (6:41), B. Life Without Buildings (6:40)
UK rel. date 30 October 1981, UK chart peak 32
7" VS 436
* A. Visions of China (3:38), B. Taking Islands In Africa (Remix) (4:53) - remix by Steve Nye.

12" VS 436-12
* A. Visions of China (3:38), B. Swing (6:25)
UK rel. date 12 March 1982, UK chart peak 05
7" VS 472 / 12" VS 472-12 (same tracks, different sleeve photo)
* A. Ghosts (3:55), B. The Art of Parties (version) (5:36)
UK rel. date 13 May 1982, UK chart peak 24
7" VS 502
* A. Cantonese Boy (3:44), B. Burning Bridges (5:20)

2 x 7" VS 502
* A. Cantonese Boy (3:44), B. Burning Bridges (5:20), C. Gentlemen Take Polaroids (3:28), D. The Experience of Swimming (4:02)

12" VS 502-12
* A1. Cantonese Boy (3:44), A2. The Experience of Swimming (4:02), B. Gentlemen Take Polaroids (7:06)

### Notes

1. ↑ *all tracks produced by John Punter & Japan*
2. ↑ original version, remains exclusive to this release
3. ↑ sometimes referred to as "Single version", also available on *Tin Drum* re-issue (2003), *Exorcising Ghosts* (1984)
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 original version on *Gentlemen Take Polaroids* (1980)
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 taken from *Gentlemen Take Polaroids* (1980)
6. ↑ edit of album track (not specified), also included on *Tin Drum* re-issue (2003)
7. ↑ live performance (not specified), also included on *Tin Drum* (2003 re-issue)
8. ↑ 7" version, originally released November 1980
9. ↑ original B-side to above, written by R. Barbieri

NB re-released singles with peak UK chart placings

* Quiet Life, rel. Sept. 1981 between Art of Parties and Visions of China (19);
* European Son, rel. Jan 1982 between Visions of China and Ghosts (31)
* I Second That Emotion, rel. June 1982 after Cantonese Boy (09)
* Life In Tokyo, rel. October 1982 (third release) (28)
* Nightporter, rel. October 1982 (29)
* All Tomorrow's Parties, rel. Feb 1983 (first rel. as single) (38)

## External links

* Wikipedia
* Discogs
* Spotify, 12-track version