As I mentioned in an earlier review of a Japan album, I would never buy one of their albums due to their name. It's a general rule that any band that names themselves after a country, a state in the United States, or even a city, are usually terrible. The two exceptions are the bands the United States of America and of course, Japan. I first discovered Japan from their album "Tin Drum," which was also their last studio release before splitting up. "Quiet Life" is an important album for the group. Their third album and the one that broke off their previous two albums in sound and vision.
David Sylvian gets his crooning voice in order and the band plays with textures that at first reminds me of Roxy Music, and obviously influenced by Bryan Ferry and company, but took that sound to another place. I was going to say another level, but Roxy Music and Japan are very different from each other. Ferry is very much focused on the ideal female - not even a woman, but a presence that is almost ghost-like in his imagination. Sylvian is more spiritually inclined and in many ways more sensual than Roxy, but also quieter. I think Eno's "Another Green World" is another influence on the band, in that it is making music for reflection than action. Mick Karn's presence is felt strongly, and it's interesting to note that Sylvian on the Japan releases is always the cover figure and Karn lurks in the back cover, the placement for a writer or arranger. Still, this is a fantastic band that blends the sounds in a natural manner, that is suitable for Japan.
The songs on "Quiet Life" is uptempo in parts, but the future sound is clearly marked. The song "Quiet Life" is a quiet anthem, and it has a glam overture with the phrase 'Boys..' - and the beautiful string arrangement by Ann O'Dell on "The Other Side of Life" is exquisite. There is also a cover of The Velvet Underground's "All Tomorrow's Parties," which is suited to the Sylvian croon. Simon Naiper-Bell managed Japan, and the early Sylvian career, which strikes me as an odd relationship. Only considering that the great Napier-Bell (I'm a fan) went on to manage Wham! and George Michaels, as well as The Yardbirds, and early Marc Bolan. He co-produced this track, but most of the production work is from John Punter, who worked on the solo Bryan Ferry recordings.
Ironically I bought this album in Tokyo and this version of "Quiet Life" is the Japanese vinyl edition. It comes with a poster, liner notes (in Japanese) as well as the lyrics both in Japanese and English.
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