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Product details
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Track Listings
| 1. Transmission |
| 2. The Unconventional |
| 3. Wish You Were Black |
| 4. Performance |
| 5. Lovers On Main Street |
| 6. Don't Rain On My Parade |
| 7. Suburban Love |
| 8. Adolescent Sex |
| 9. Communist China |
| 10. Television |
| 11. Don't Rain On My Parade |
| 12. Communist China |
| 13. Adolescent Sex |
| 14. Adolescent Sex |
Product Description
CD Description
180 grams audiophile vinyl / Includes bonus 7 inch / Ltd Edition on RED vinyl (1000 numbered copies)
About the Artist
Japan, whose members were David Sylvian, guitarist Rob Dean, keyboardist Richard Barbieri, bassist Mick Karn and Sylvian's brother Steve Jansen as a drummer, began as a group of friends, who all studied at the same school and became an alternative glam rock outfit in the mould of David Bowie, T.Rex and The New York Dolls. In 1977, the German label Hansa held a contest that elicited entries from over 1000 bands. The eight winners, including Japan (and an unknown group called the Easy Cure who later became the Cure) received recording contracts and, a year later, 'Adolescent Sex' hit the shops. This release comes with a bonus 7-inch and the first 1000, numbered copies of this set will be pressed on red vinyl!
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
For an album virtually disowned by the band and slated by reviews ever since, it is actually pretty good. It is, in so many ways, a million miles away from their classics, 'Gentlemen Take Polaroids' and 'Tin Drum'. Influenced by the early glam-rock sounds of Roxy Music and Bowie, it is Japan rocking out. But more than that, on a few tracks, there seems to be a heavy funk sound going on back there. And while it seems to jar with the punk aesthetic so widespread at the time, there are definite influences. But while it is so different from their later work, there are some definite links: Mick Karn's bass is still key (although far more straightforward and less adventurous); David Sylvian's voice still dominates, mixed quite high on most tracks; and Richard Barbieri is definitely enjoying getting to grips with his toys.
The album has a rawer, less particular feel about it, but for all that it, each of the songs seem to me to be complete and well-rounded. 'Suburban Love' has a Chic-feel to it, and feels slightly subversive. 'Adolescent Sex' sounds just as the title suggests - a little rough, a little fumbling, but kinda fun and naughty all the same. The Streisand cover, 'Don't Rain on my Parade' is performed with great gusto, and feels like fun - and so it should. 'Television' has a rhythm which could house a lounge-jazz tune, but gradually builds into a crescendo of frustrated angst - 'It's all you ever wanted!'.
All in all, it's never going to be their greatest album. But it has a variety of interesting qualities - which, if you are like me, is plenty enough to give it a listen. The flaws are there, for sure, but there is definitely something of note in there too. Give it a whirl, you might be glad you did. I was.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
25 years on ... I still listen to this, it's a cliche, but a great test!!! I was turned onto Japan by a mate at college (now RIP), but this is not why I still give AS a spin. As a teenager in the late 70s I was caught between punk and rock - going with the former and swinging back to the later once the bubble burst. Japan, and AS in particluar, stood out because it had energy and was clever. Not either, but DIFFERENT.
If you want to make music with a guitar (or just listen to it) you should hear this at least once, what's the worst thing that could happen (Belious Some ??) :-)
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
After seeing Japan endure the worst reaction ever from a Glasgow audience, supporting Blue Oyster Cult, I dashed out to buy this album on vinyl. Yes, they had a borrowed, androgenous, look which leant heavily on the New York Dolls, but they were entirely out of keeping with the times - a good thing in my view. AS prompted a 5 star review from "Sounds" Geoff Barton at the time. I followed them through all the changes, right to the end, because Japan never failed to provoke and challenge. Listen to this album and find out why.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Their first and best
I bought this album when it first came out in 1978. This was the year when shedloads of great punk/new wave bands released stunning debuts, but to me this was in the true punk... Read more
Published 10 months ago by PP
Limited Numbered Edition on Red Vinyl with Bonus Red Vinyl 7"
Just to clarify just what this item is:
This is an excellent reproduction Release by Dutch Label 'Music on Vinyl' (My own copy is pictured above). Read more
This is an excellent reproduction Release by Dutch Label 'Music on Vinyl' (My own copy is pictured above). Read more
Published 19 months ago by elektric101
Brilliant! But not 'Brilliant Trees'!
I love this album as a long time Japan/David Sylvian fan. Even though I know he has said that he doesn't feel any connection to Japan's earlier music as it is so dramatically... Read more
Published on 23 Jun 2009 by L. G.
A Lost Masterpiece!
Japan went on to be the darlings of the New Romantic crowd in the early 80s but this is where it all began! Read more
Published on 29 Oct 2008 by Kevan James
smart funk punk
I actually prefer the two first Japan albums over the introspective noodling that came later - and which most people seem to prefer. Read more
Published on 17 Oct 2007 by H. Beentje
Outdated first outing for Sylvian and his cohorts
Those familiar with the later music of Japan, from 1979 to 1982, will be utterly bewildered by what they hear upon listening to their debut album, Adolescent Sex (AS), released in... Read more
Published on 1 Feb 2001 by "chrishyams"
Raw Japan at there best
As basic as music gets. The raw sound just fights it's way out of the speakers. The version of Don't rain on my parade is magnificent.
Published on 13 Mar 2000 by Mr. H. H. Thomas
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