Gentlemen Take Polaroids (song): Difference between revisions
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== Reception == |
== Reception == |
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The single was the band's first release under [[Virgin Records]] and "established a clever music bridge between the refined groove of ''[[Quiet Life]]'' and the band's forthcoming LP".<ref>{{Cite book|last=Power|first=Martin|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BDkDAwAAQBAJ&pg=PT45|title=David Sylvian: The Last Romantic|date=2012-04-10|publisher=Omnibus Press|isbn=978-0-85712-820-1|language=en}}</ref> |
The single was the band's first release under [[Virgin Records]] and, according to writer Martin Power, "established a clever music bridge between the refined groove of ''[[Quiet Life]]'' and the band's forthcoming LP".<ref>{{Cite book|last=Power|first=Martin|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BDkDAwAAQBAJ&pg=PT45|title=David Sylvian: The Last Romantic|date=2012-04-10|publisher=Omnibus Press|isbn=978-0-85712-820-1|language=en}}</ref> |
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It has been described as a "dynamic masterpiece alternating between the experimental, free-floating middle parts, and the casual pop chorus found throughout the song".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Japan - Gentlemen Take Polaroids (album review ) {{!}} Sputnikmusic|url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/72305/Japan-Gentlemen-Take-Polaroids/|access-date=2020-10-26|website=www.sputnikmusic.com}}</ref> However, reviewing the song for ''[[Record Mirror]]'', Ronnie Gurr described the single as having an "awful title and mellifluously nondescript [[Roxy Music|Roxy]] rip-off A-side. Elsewhere [[Brian Eno|Eno's]] school of modern bland-out [[muzak]] that's so dull and nondescript, one can't ignore the fact the damn stuff takes hold".<ref>{{cite journal|date=11 October 1980|title=Singles|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Record-Mirror/80s/80/Record-Mirror-1980-10-11.pdf|journal=[[Record Mirror]]|page=14|accessdate=26 October 2020}}</ref> |
It has been described as a "dynamic masterpiece alternating between the experimental, free-floating middle parts, and the casual pop chorus found throughout the song".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Japan - Gentlemen Take Polaroids (album review ) {{!}} Sputnikmusic|url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/72305/Japan-Gentlemen-Take-Polaroids/|access-date=2020-10-26|website=www.sputnikmusic.com}}</ref> However, reviewing the song for ''[[Record Mirror]]'', Ronnie Gurr described the single as having an "awful title and mellifluously nondescript [[Roxy Music|Roxy]] rip-off A-side. Elsewhere [[Brian Eno|Eno's]] school of modern bland-out [[muzak]] that's so dull and nondescript, one can't ignore the fact the damn stuff takes hold".<ref>{{cite journal|date=11 October 1980|title=Singles|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Record-Mirror/80s/80/Record-Mirror-1980-10-11.pdf|journal=[[Record Mirror]]|page=14|accessdate=26 October 2020}}</ref> |
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''[[Smash Hits]]'' reviewer Steve Taylor wrote: "'Polaroids' is one of their elegant retreads of mid-period Roxy Music — even down to the detail of using the same producer — and it's attractively smooth and syrupy. The sounds are generously ladled over an appropriately oriental sounding hook that isn't quite strong enough to close the credibility gap yet."<ref>{{cite journal|title=Singles |author=Taylor, Steve |date=16 October 1980 |journal=[[Smash Hits]]|page=28 }}</ref> |
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The song was popular with club [[Disc jockey|DJs]]: [[Nick Rhodes]] regularly played it at the [[Rum Runner (nightclub)|Rum Runner]], and [[Rusty Egan]] played it at the [[Blitz Kids|Blitz]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=:: Welcome to the ANTHONY REYNOLDS :: Official WebSite ::|url=http://www.anthonyreynolds.net/pages/Classic_Album_GTP_Japan.htm|access-date=2020-10-26|website=www.anthonyreynolds.net}}</ref> |
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== Track listings == |
== Track listings == |
Revision as of 04:59, 12 July 2024
"Gentlemen Take Polaroids" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Japan | ||||
from the album Gentlemen Take Polaroids | ||||
B-side | "The Experience of Swimming" | |||
Released | 10 October 1980[1] | |||
Genre | Eurodisco[2] | |||
Length |
| |||
Label | Virgin | |||
Songwriter(s) | David Sylvian | |||
Producer(s) | John Punter | |||
Japan singles chronology | ||||
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"Gentlemen Take Polaroids" is a song by English new wave band Japan, released as a single from the album of the same name in October 1980. It was the band's first charting single in the UK, peaking at number 60.[3]
Reception
The single was the band's first release under Virgin Records and, according to writer Martin Power, "established a clever music bridge between the refined groove of Quiet Life and the band's forthcoming LP".[4]
It has been described as a "dynamic masterpiece alternating between the experimental, free-floating middle parts, and the casual pop chorus found throughout the song".[5] However, reviewing the song for Record Mirror, Ronnie Gurr described the single as having an "awful title and mellifluously nondescript Roxy rip-off A-side. Elsewhere Eno's school of modern bland-out muzak that's so dull and nondescript, one can't ignore the fact the damn stuff takes hold".[6]
Smash Hits reviewer Steve Taylor wrote: "'Polaroids' is one of their elegant retreads of mid-period Roxy Music — even down to the detail of using the same producer — and it's attractively smooth and syrupy. The sounds are generously ladled over an appropriately oriental sounding hook that isn't quite strong enough to close the credibility gap yet."[7]
The song was popular with club DJs: Nick Rhodes regularly played it at the Rum Runner, and Rusty Egan played it at the Blitz.[8]
Track listings
7-inch: Virgin / VS 379 (UK)[1]
- "Gentlemen Take Polaroids" – 3:28
- "The Experience of Swimming" – 4:04
7-inch: Virgin / 102 513 (Germany)[9]
- "Gentlemen Take Polaroids" – 3:28
- "The Width of a Room" – 3:14
7-inch: Virgin / VIPX-1550 (Japan)[10]
- "Gentlemen Take Polaroids" – 3:28
- "Burning Bridges" – 3:59
Double 7-inch EP: Virgin / VS 379 (UK)[1]
- "Gentlemen Take Polaroids" – 3:28
- "The Experience of Swimming" – 4:04
- "The Width of a Room" – 3:12
- "Burning Bridges" – 3:59
Mini CD EP: Virgin / CDT 32 (UK, 1988)[1]
- "Gentlemen Take Polaroids" – 7:05
- "Cantonese Boy" – 3:44
- "Methods of Dance" – 6:53
Personnel
Japan
- David Sylvian – vocals
- Richard Barbieri – synthesizers
- Mick Karn – fretless bass, saxophone, oboe
- Rob Dean – guitar
- Steve Jansen – drums
Technical
- Nigel Walker – engineer
- Steve Prestage – engineer
- Nicola Tyson – photography
- Steve Chivers – assisted photography
Charts
Chart (1980) | Peak position |
---|---|
UK Singles (OCC)[3] | 60 |
References
- ^ a b c d "Japan Discography - The Virgin Years". discog.info. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
- ^ Raggett, Ned. Japan - Gentlemen Take Polaroids (1980) Review at AllMusic. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
- ^ a b "Japan: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
- ^ Power, Martin (2012-04-10). David Sylvian: The Last Romantic. Omnibus Press. ISBN 978-0-85712-820-1.
- ^ "Japan - Gentlemen Take Polaroids (album review ) | Sputnikmusic". www.sputnikmusic.com. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
- ^ "Singles" (PDF). Record Mirror: 14. 11 October 1980. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
- ^ Taylor, Steve (16 October 1980). "Singles". Smash Hits: 28.
- ^ ":: Welcome to the ANTHONY REYNOLDS :: Official WebSite ::". www.anthonyreynolds.net. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
- ^ "Japan - Gentlemen Take Polaroids". Discogs. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
- ^ "Japan - Gentlemen Take Polaroids = 孤独な影". Discogs. Retrieved 2020-10-26.