Assemblage

Released by their earlier label Hansa after Japan had moved to Virgin Records and started to build some new success there, Assemblage was released in consultation with the band — a rare enough move that it deserves note — to create an overview of their initial days as they moved from sassy, near trashy glam rock towards the focused elegance of their later existence. Drawing on singles, B-sides and deep cuts, it’s a nice capturing of their rapid transformation, especially when cuts like “Life in Tokyo” and the swirling energy of “Quiet Life” start to hit.