Quiet Life is the third album by the British band Japan, recorded in 1979 and released in February 1980. Musically, the album was a huge departure for the band and is often considered to be the very first New Romantic album (even though Japan distanced themselves from the New-Rom scene). Their previous two albums had been more in the vein of alternative glam rock, as opposed to their new New Wave leanings. Quiet Life was the last of three albums the band made for the Hansa-Ariola label (they switched to Virgin later in 1980), though Hansa would later issue a compilation album ("Assemblage") that consisted of highlights from the band's tenure on the label. The album is also notable for being the first album where singer David Sylvian used his newfound more svelte and mature baritone vocal style, which later became one of the band's most distinctive hallmarks. Though initially unsuccessful upon its release in the band's native UK (where it peaked at #53), the album sold steadily and was certified "Gold" by the BPI in 1984 for 100,000 copies sold. Also initially unsuccessful, the title track and lead single "Quiet Life" would later be re-released and make the UK top 20 in 1981. Three other prominent tracks were also recorded and released by the band during this era and would later be re-released and become UK top 40 hits for the band in 1982, but were not included on the album ("Life In Tokyo", "European Son", and a cover of the Motown hit "I Second That Emotion" which would make the UK Top 10). The track "Quiet Life" is featured as part of the Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories soundtrack in Wave 103 station which also features other New Romantic and New Wave artists. The album appears in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.
