Japan

As obsessed as bands are nowadays with ripping off the ’80s, none of the new breed can wear the fashion or go the extravagant distance the way David Sylvian and Japan did in the late ’70s and early ’80s. This comp collects all of their promo videos for singles such as "Quiet Life,” "Gentlemen Take Polaroids” and the Giorgio Moroder collaboration "Life in Tokyo.” New to the medium at the time, Japan prove just how perfect their sensational image was for the camera and its flattering soft focus. In addition is Oil On Canvas, a flashy concert film (especially for 23 years ago) that splices visuals of Chinese culture (one of the many Asian themed elements of their music) with the live footage of their majestic performance at the Hammersmith Odeon in London. The stage lighting wonderfully accentuates the high glamour of the band’s trademark fashion and makeup, while the sound — known for its heavy post-production overdubs — presents their progressive electronic pop flawlessly. Here is the band the Killers and company should have used as their inspiration, in all of their visual glory. (EMI)