Back of the Bin: Red Guitar

Here's former Japan frontman, David Sylvian, with his New Wave jazz gem Red Guitar. In this beautifully angular song we can hear Sylvian moving away from the pop glam stylings of Japan and catch hints of his high-art ambitions. Songs such as Red Guitar may sound self-conscious to some. You say self-conscious, I say deliberate.

Speaking of which, the video, by filmaker Anton Corbijn, references the images and techniques of highly influential surrealist photographer Angus McBean, who also has an appearance in the film. Historical footnote: McBean, like so many men of his generation, was imprisioned for several years in England for admirable crime of homosexuality.