Gentlemen Take Polaroids

Gentlemen Take Polaroids
Studio album by Japan
Released	15 November 1980
Recorded	1980, Air Studios, London - The Townhouse Studios, London
Genre	Synth pop, New Wave
Length	46:26
Label	Virgin Records
Producer	John Punter
Professional reviews
Allmusic link
Japan chronology
Quiet Life (1979) Gentlemen Take Polaroids (1980) Tin Drum (1981)

Gentlemen Take Polaroids is the fourth studio album by the British band Japan. Released in 1980, it was the band's first album for the Virgin Records label. It continued in the vein of their previous album, Quiet Life, utilising a combination of electronic elements coupled with more traditional instruments, though culminating in a more sophisticated and atmospheric production than its predecessor. This was the last Japan album to feature guitarist Rob Dean.

Although not a huge chart hit upon its initial release in the band's native UK (where it peaked at #51), the album was later certified "Gold" by the BPI in 1986 for 100,000 copies sold.

Interestingly, the band Duran Duran were at AIR Studios (where the Polaroids album was made) at the same time recording demos.

"Taking Islands in Africa" re-appeared as the B-side of the "Visions of China" single in 1981, then remixed by Tin Drum co-producer Steve Nye.

The track "Nightporter", influenced by the works of French composer Erik Satie (particularly his Gymnopedies), was remixed and released as a single in late 1982 following the success of album Tin Drum and then became a U.K. Top 30 hit (#29). Both the edited 7" version and the full-length 12" remix remain unreleased on CD.

"Methods of Dance" was also used as the title for two Virgin compilation LPs of new talent released shortly after this album. The track itself was used as the B-side to the 12" single of "Nightporter" which became a UK top 30 hit in late 1982.

An unfinished track from the Gentlemen Take Polaroids sessions, "Some Kind of Fool", was completed by David Sylvian in 2000 and included on his compilation Everything and Nothing.

Track listing

All songs written by David Sylvian except where noted.

Side A:

1. "Gentlemen Take Polaroids" – 7:08
2. "Swing" – 6:23
3. "Burning Bridges" – 5:23
4. "My New Career" – 3:52

Side B:

1. "Methods of Dance" – 6:53
2. "Ain't That Peculiar" (Smokey Robinson/Warren "Pete" Moore/Marvin Tarplin/Robert Rogers) – 4:40
3. "Nightporter" – 6:57
4. "Taking Islands in Africa" (Ryuichi Sakamoto/Sylvian) – 5:12

Bonus tracks on the 2003 CD reissue

9. "The Experience of Swimming" - 4:04
10. "The Width of a Room" - 3:14
11. "Taking Islands in Africa (Steve Nye remix)" - 4:53

• "The Experience of Swimming" and "The Width of a Room" are instrumentals by Richard Barbieri and Rob Dean respectively. They were originally B-sides of the "Gentlemen Take Polaroids" single, and also appeared on a 90's US Caroline CD issue of the album, where they were placed after "Burning Bridges" and "Nightporter", respectively.

Singles

"Gentlemen Take Polaroids" (released as a double single pack - "Gentlemen Take Polaroids"/"The Experience of Swimming" and "The Width Of A Room"/"Burning Bridges") UK Chart No.60 Incudes an edited version of "Polaroids" and a David Sylvian produced version of "Burning Bridges" unavailable elsewhere.

"Nightporter" (released edited and remixed with "Methods Of Dance" on the 12" single and "Ain't That Peculiar" (alternate version) on the 7" single) UK Chart No.29

Personnel

• David Sylvian: vocals, synthesizers (ARP Omni, Oberheim OB-X, Minimoog, Roland System 700), piano, electric guitar
• Mick Karn: fretless bass guitar, oboe, saxophone, recorder
• Steve Jansen: drums, synthesizer (Roland System 700, Sequential Circuits Prophet 5), percussion
• Richard Barbieri: synthesizers (Roland System 700, Micromoog, Polymoog, Prophet 5, Oberheim OB-X, Roland Jupiter 4), sequencer, piano
• Rob Dean: guitar, ebow

Guest musicians:

• Ryuichi Sakamoto: synthesizers
• Simon House: Violin, "My New Career"
• Cyo: Vocals, "Methods of Dance"
• Barry Guy: double bass
• Andrew Cauthery: oboe

Additional personnel

• Colin Fairley - engineer
• Nigel Walker - engineer
• Steve Prestage - engineer
• Nicola Tyson - back cover
• Stuart McLeod - front cover