Mick Karn- Dreams of Reason Produce Monsters (1987) MP3 & FLAC -In Memory of Mick Karn-

"I burn a candle in your place. I picture the passions on your face. Feelings that rise on a wave and fall away."

What's most notable about Mick Karn's second solo album, Dreams of Reason Produce Monsters, is that it marked a rekindling of his working relationship with ex-Japan mate David Sylvian. Sylvian lends his inimitable vocals to two of the album's tracks, "Buoy" & "When Love Walks In," and it is no suprise that these are the most memorable moments on the otherwise instrumental album. Nevertheless, except for "Answer," which is built on choir-like vocal washes and goes absolutely nowhere (something like a Dead Can Dance throwaway), these instrumentals can be quite charming. The percussion is a little plodding at times, but there is some fine Japan-esque keyboard work provided by Karn, and of course his lovely, slinky bass work.

Japan- Quiet Life (1979) MP3 & FLAC -In Memory of Mick Karn-

"Now that you feel the weather, was it all in vain?  Now that we're together, we seem so alien."

Quiet Life is the album on which Japan took a significant step toward lasting relevance. It sits in their discography as the quintessential "transitional" record, but it's unique hybrid of the alternative Glam-Rock of their first two albums wedded to the more experimental synth and bass driven direction their later work would take suggests that the album should be evaluated on its own terms. In addition, Quiet Life marks the point at which David Sylvian began channeling his inner Scott Walker, taking his distinctive baritone voice down paths untraveled in Japan's earlier work. Yes, in many ways, this album opened the door for a wave of New Romantic bands comprised of much less talented musicians (e.g. Duran Duran), but Quiet Life contains a depth, a darkness, and musical pedigree far beyond the grasp of the New Wave acolytes to come. Simply put, you need to hear this if you haven't already.

Dalis Car- The Waking Hour (1984) MP3 & FLAC -In Memory of Mick Karn-

"Plant your tree of hidden dreams beneath your fears that burst the seams."

Dalis Car was a one-off collaboration between Mick Karn and Peter Murphy, sort of a rebound project after the disintegration of their respective bands, Japan and Bauhaus. Musically, the album owes more to Japan, though the arrangements are fairly minimal, something Japan was not necessarily known for. While Karn's unparalleled fretless bass sound dominates throughout (and this is a good thing), it is Murphy who steps into uncharted territory on this recording. His often dissonant, abstract vocals are a far cry from his ziggy-as-vampire onstage persona with Bauhaus. Little did we know at the time, however, that The Waking Hour would represent a first (uncommercial) baby step toward the goth-pop crooner Murphy would become at the dawn of the nineties. Having been a big fan of both Bauhaus and Japan in the early eighties, I remember being disappointed by this album (although I loved the cover). A quarter of a century later, Dalis Car sounds a little friendlier to my ears.

Dalis Car- "His Box" Video (1984) Live, Old Grey Whistle Test -In Memory of Mick Karn-

Here's a live track from a short-lived collaboration between Mick Karn and Peter Murphy of Bauhaus. Word is, they were planning to record a second Dalis Car album in 2011, but Karn passed away yesterday, succumbing to cancer. More Dalis Car to follow...

Japan- "Quiet Life" Video (1979) -RIP Mick Karn-

At some point down the road, I'd love to do a series of posts relating to David Sylvian, but this Japan post has everything to do with today's passing of Mick Karn, bassist extraordinaire, from cancer at the age of 52. I didn't even realize he was ill. Rest in peace Mick, you will truly be missed.