View source for In a Model Room

{{more citations needed|date=September 2014}}
{{Infobox album
| name       = In a Model Room
| type       = Studio
| artist     = [[P-Model]]
| cover      = In A Model Room (P-Model album - cover art).jpg
| alt        =
| released   = {{Start date|1979|8|25}}
| recorded   = May – June 1979
| studio     = {{Collapsible list|title=various|titlestyle=font-weight:normal;font-size:12px;background:transparent;text-align:left|Sunrise Studio <small>(recording and remixing)</small>, [[Ikebukuro]], [[Toshima]]|Freedom Studio, [[Ōkubo, Tokyo|Ōkubo]], [[Shinjuku]]|Electro Sound, [[Akihabara]], [[Chiyoda, Tokyo|Chiyoda]]|[[Tokyo]]}}
| genre      = {{hlist|[[New wave music|New wave]]|[[synthpop]]}}
| length     = {{Duration|m=33|s=28}}
| language   = Japanese, English
| label      = [[Warner Music Japan|Warner]]-[[Pioneer Corporation|Pioneer]]
| producer   = {{hlist|{{ill|Masahide Sakuma|ja|佐久間正英}}|P-Model}}
| prev_title = [[Air on the Wiring]]
| prev_year  = 1978
| next_title = [[Landsale (album)|Landsale]]
| next_year  = 1980
| misc       = {{Singles
 | name        = In a Model Room
 | type        = Studio
 | single1     = Art Mania" c/w "Sunshine City
 | single1date = July 25, 1979 <small>K-17W</small>
 | single2     = Kameari Pop" c/w "Health Angel
 | single2date = December 25, 1979 <small>K-23W</small>
}}
}}
'''''In a Model Room''''' is the debut album of Japanese band [[P-Model]]. It was an electronic pop album, released in 1979 under the label, Warner Bros.<ref>{{cite web |title=P-Model - In A Model Room |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/2169062-P-Model-In-A-Model-Room |website=Discogs.com |date=1979 |access-date=20 April 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

==Background==
{{further|Mandrake (Japanese band)}}

By 1978, [[Susumu Hirasawa]], guitarist and vocalist of Mandrake, one of the few Japanese [[progressive metal]] bands at the time, was unsatisfied with the style the band worked in, feeling that progressive rock had lost its social relevance and became solely for entertainment.<ref>{{cite web|title=RocketBaby's interview w/Susumu Hirasawa |url=http://rocketbaby.net/interviews_hirasawa_1.html |work=RocketBaby |publisher=Neo Cosmic Industries |accessdate=3 March 2001 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20010303074111/http://rocketbaby.net/interviews_hirasawa_1.html |archivedate=March 3, 2001 }}</ref> By then, Mandrake's only achievements were a devoted but extremely niche following by fans of Japanese progressive rock fans (who, by Hirasawa's estimate, totaled at only a few hundred people), and bit parts on releases by an all-synth band they'd befriended.

Around this time, the punk rock/[[New wave music|new wave]] movements started in the west; experiencing these new forms of presenting concepts and visuals through music via promotional videos; most of the band went through a drastic change in outlook towards music, and started to write songs and gradually change their look accordingly.<ref>{{Cite episode|title=P-Model|series='80s New Wave Special [80年代ニューウェーブ特集]|network=[[NHK]]|station=NHK BS-2|date=November 28, 2001}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://twilog.org/hirasawa/date-130417|title = Susumu Hirasawa(@hirasawa)/2013年04月17日 - Twilog}}</ref>

Mandrake had turned into a half-hearted band and, after declining an offer to sign with [[Victor Entertainment|Victor Music Industries]], Hirasawa decided to "abort" Mandrake, characterizing it as the defeat to commercialism. The band's final live performance was a three-hour show at the [[Shibuya Jean-Jean]], meant to be the symbolic burial of Mandrake's aborted body.

On [[New Year's Day]] 1979, the members of the band held a meeting to decide how they would reform. Bassist Tohru Akutu, still attached to progressive rock, decided to depart from the band. The instruments which "emitted a pretentious grandeur" (most of them painted in dignified colors like purple, gold and burgundy) were either repainted in bright colors (like yellow, light blue and pink) or sold off to buy ones more adequate for what the band envisioned. It was decided that their name would be changed to something that evoked the new development of a mass-produced industrial good.<ref name=door>{{cite AV media notes|last1=Hirasawa|first1=Susumu|last2=Nakano|first2=Yasuhiro|last3=Matsumoto|first3=Masayuki|year=2006|orig-year=1997|title=unreleased materials volume two|type=liner notes|others=[[Mandrake (Japanese band)|Mandrake]]|publisher=Chaos Union, TESLAKITE|id=CHTE-0036}}</ref>

==Composition and Production==
Most of the songs on the album were created by Mandrake late in the group's existence, which allowed for a quick debut release. The songs show a tendency for complex compositions and unusual time signatures. The lyrics reflect on the sociopolitical issues of Japan at the time, during the [[Japanese post-war economic miracle]], and were influenced in part by [[Nineteen Eighty-Four]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Takahasi|first=Kasiko|date=2010|orig-year=1999|title=改訂DIGITAL復刻版 音楽産業廃棄物|trans-title=Music Industrial Wastes Rev.2.4|type=PDF|language=Japanese|volume=P-Model Side — Open Source|edition=3rd|publisher=Fascination|page=33}}</ref>

''In a Model Room'' was produced by Masahide Sakuma, keyboardist of the new wave band [[Plastics (band)|Plastics]] with studio experience from being in the progressive rock band {{ill|Yonin-Bayashi|ja|四人囃子}}, who agreed to do so on the strength of the album's first track.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Sakuma|first1=Masahide|title=30th anniv.|url=http://masahidesakuma.net/2009/02/30th-anniv.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201164633/http://masahidesakuma.net/2009/02/30th-anniv.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 1, 2014|website=Masahide Sakuma [homepage]|date=February 25, 2009|language=Japanese}}</ref> Described by Hirasawa as "an honest man who acted with a life-sized air of cleanliness", Sakuma was swiftly trusted by the band, who were cautious with making their debut.<ref>{{cite web|title=佐久間正英プロデュース作品集・奇跡のコンピレーションCD『SAKUMA DROPS』|url=http://www.jvcmusic.co.jp/sakumadrops/|website=Speedstar Records|publisher=[[Victor Entertainment]]|accessdate=18 February 2016|language=Japanese}} click ''Artist Comment'', then click ''track 2'' listed under ''DISC 2''.</ref> Producing for the first time outside of his band, Sakuma went on to become a renowned session producer.

The instrumentation is a mix of standard punk with electronic devices for mechanical tones: A [[Roland CR-78|Roland CR-68]] [[drum machine]]  does simultaneous beats alongside a standard drum kit; the Maxi-Korg 800DV synthesizer was used for a unique blipping noise, dubbed by the music press as a "musical stapler".<ref>{{cite magazine|title=KEYBOARD FILE No.23: 1st KEYBOARD – 平沢 進(P-MODEL)とKORG 800DV|magazine=KB Special|language=Japanese|issue=94|publisher=Rittor Music|date=November 1992}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Sawada|first1=Daisuke|title=TECHNO POP IN 80's & 00's|url=http://tower.jp/article/feature/2009/03/19/100036594/100036600/100036603|website=TOWER RECORDS ONLINE|publisher=[[Tower Records (music retailer)|Tower Records]]|accessdate=19 August 2015|date=March 19, 2009|language=Japanese}}</ref> P-Model came to argue with Warner-Pioneer, Sakuma and engineer Makoto Furukawa daily over their instruments: The band picked them because they felt a rough sound was crucial to their theme, the production thought it all sounded bad.<ref>{{cite web|script-title=ja:HIRASAWA SUSUMU 激烈インタビュー 「DAWの変遷」そしてライブでの表現について|trans-title=Susumu Hirasawa Intense Interview — "Transitions of DAW" and its Expressions in a Live Stage|url=http://www.ikebe-gakki.com/web-ikebe/gj_hirasawa-susumu-interview/index.html#content4|website=TALBO Secret FACTORY|language=Japanese|publisher=Ikebe Gakki|accessdate=21 April 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet|user=hirasawa|author=Susumu Hirasawa|number=363875183766937600|date=4 August 2013|title=エンジニアがよそ見しているスキにEQ設定を変えてしまうP-MODEL。結局は気付かれないのだ。そんなもんだ。}}</ref> Ultimately, P-Model compromised on most aspects of the recording.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Hirasawa|first=Susumu|editor-last=Takahasi|editor-first=Kasiko|year=2010|orig-year=1999|chapter=魂のふる里 — The Autobiography of HIRASAWA|trans-chapter=Root of Spirit|title=改訂DIGITAL復刻版 音楽産業廃棄物|trans-title=Music Industrial Wastes Rev.2.4|type=PDF|language=Japanese|volume=Hirasawa Side — 卓上のウロボロス [Desktop Ouroboros]|edition=3rd|publisher=Fascination}}</ref>

Hirasawa re-recorded the album (with the exception of "Sophisticated") in 1999 as ''Virtual Live-1 [P-Model Live at Roppongi S-Ken Studio 1979]''.

==Legacy==
In 2007 ''[[Rolling Stone]] Japan'' ranked it at number 52 in its list of the 100 Greatest Japanese Rock Albums of All Time and ''[[:ja:Snoozer|Snoozer]]'' ranked it at number 125 in its list of the 150 Greatest Albums of Japanese Rock 'n' Roll.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Marx|first1=W. David|title=100 Greatest Japanese Rock Albums|url=http://neojaponisme.com/2007/11/09/100-greatest-japanese-rock-albums/|website=Néojaponisme|date=November 9, 2007|access-date=April 21, 2015|archive-date=February 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208002006/http://neojaponisme.com/2007/11/09/100-greatest-japanese-rock-albums/|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Polysics]] covered "The Great Brain" for the 2007 album [[Karate House]] and have performed "Art Mania" live. A cover of "Art Mania" using [[Kagamine Rin/Len|Kagamine Rin]] is included on the ''[[Hatsune Miku]] sings NEW WAVE'' cover album.

==Track listing==
{{Tracklist
|all_writing=[[Susumu Hirasawa]], except where noted
|title1=Art Mania
|note1={{Nihongo2|美術館で会った人だろ}} ''Bijutsukan de Atta Hito Daro'', Surely I Met You at the Art Museum<ref>{{cite web|title=美術館で会った人だろ / Bijutsukan de Atta Hito Daro / Surely I Met You at the Art Museum|url=http://hirasawalyrics.tumblr.com/post/14618175168/bijutsukan-de-atta-hito-daro-surely|publisher=Hirasawa Lyrics}}</ref>
|length1=3:09
|title2=Health Angel
|note2={{Nihongo2|ヘルス・エンジェル}} ''Herusu Engeru''
|lyrics2=Yasumi Tanaka
|music2=Tanaka
|length2=2:32
|title3=Roomrunner
|note3={{Nihongo2|ルームランナー}} ''Rūmurannā'', Treadmill
|lyrics3=Tanaka
|music3=Tanaka
|length3=2:32
|title4=Sophisticated
|note4={{Nihongo2|ソフィスティケイテッド}} ''Sofisutikeiteddo''
|length4=4:26
|title5=For Kids
|note5={{Nihongo2|子供たちどうも}} ''Kodomotachi Dōmo''
|lyrics5=Yūichi Hirasawa
|length5=3:31
|title6=Kameari Pop
|length6=3:56
|title7=Sunshine City
|note7={{Nihongo2|サンシャイン・シティー}} ''Sanshain Shitī''
|lyrics7=Y. Hirasawa
|music7=Tanaka
|length7=2:03
|title8=The Great Brain
|note8={{Nihongo2|偉大なる頭脳}} ''Idainaru Zunō''
|music8=Fumiyasu Abe <small>(uncredited)</small>, S. Hirasawa
|length8=2:03
|title9=White Cigarettes
|note9={{Nihongo2|ホワイト・シガレット}} ''Howaito Shigaretto''
|length9=3:15
|title10=Pinky Trick
|note10={{Nihongo2|MOMO色トリック}} ''MOMO Iro Torikku''
|length10=3:18
|title11=Art Blind
|note11={{Nihongo2|アート・ブラインド}} ''Āto Buraindo''
|length11=2:39
}}

The [[Figure (music)|figure]] of "Art Mania" is a modification of a [[Phrase (music)|phrase]] from the 1952 Poly e Seus Modernistas song "Turista" (written by {{ill|Ângelo Apolônio|pt|Poli (músico)}}), based on a 1963 cover by [[The Atlantics]]. "The Great Brain" is a reworking of a section of the 1973 [[Mandrake (Japanese band)|Mandrake]] song {{Nihongo|Deranged Door|錯乱の扉|Sakuran no Tobira}}  (officially unreleased at the time, credited to Fumiyasu Abe when released on 1997's ''Unreleased Materials vol. 1''). "White Cigarettes" contains an interpolation of the [[Arabian riff]] (believed to originate from a 17th century traditional [[Algeria]]n song, published as part of various other compositions by various other musicians over time).

Two other songs were considered for the album: The Hirasawa-penned {{Nihongo|"Alien"|異邦人|Ihōjin}} and the Tanaka piece {{Nihongo|"White Shoes"|ホワイト・シューズ|Howaito Shuuzu}}. The former, at times part of Mandrake setlists, was considered too heavy and "not the sound you want out of a pink album";<ref>{{cite book|last=Takahasi|first=Kasiko|date=2010|orig-year=1999|title=改訂DIGITAL復刻版 音楽産業廃棄物|trans-title=Music Industrial Wastes Rev.2.4|type=PDF|language=Japanese|volume=P-Model Side — Open Source|edition=3rd|publisher=Fascination|page=34}}</ref> it was later recorded, with new parts by Tanaka, for ''[[Landsale (album)|Landsale]]''. The latter was first publicly released as BGM for the end credits of the ''Photon-1'' video in 1989.

==Personnel==
; P-Model - [[Record producer|Production]], [[Arrangement]]s
*[[Susumu Hirasawa]] - [[Singing|Vocals]], [[Guitar]], [[Synthesizer]], Jacket Design
*Yasumi Tanaka - [[Combo organ]], Synthesizers, [[Music sequencer|Sequencer]], [[Backing vocalist|Backing vocals]]
*Sadatoshi Tainaka - [[Drum kit|Drums]], [[Drum machine]]
*Katsuhiko Akiyama  - [[Bass guitar|Bass]], Synthesizer, Backing vocals

; Staff
*[[Masahide Sakuma]] - "Switchist", Production
*Tomonari Sassa - Direction
*Makoto Furukawa - [[Audio engineer|Engineering]], [[Mixing engineer|Mixing]]
*Kozo Kenmochi, Kenji Konno & Ryuichi Suzuki - Assistant Engineering
*Yūichi Hirasawa - [[Lyrics]], [[Art director]]
*Hideki Namai - [[Photography]]
*Special Thanks to: Hisaaki Katoh, Nobumasa Uchida, Yūichi Hirasawa, Hiroshi Yamamoto, Daiji Okai, Sunshine City Gals, Ms. Shirota

==Release history==
{|class="wikitable"
! Date
! Label(s)
! Format
! Catalog
! Notes
|-
|rowspan=2 |{{Start date|1979|8|25}}
|rowspan=2 |[[Warner Music Group|Warner]]-[[Pioneer Corporation|Pioneer]]
|[[Gramophone record|LP]]
|K-10017W
|First limited print run was pressed on [[Unusual types of gramophone records#Colored records|clear pink vinyl]].<ref>{{cite web|title=IN A MODEL ROOM ピンク盤|url=http://www.pinkytrick.com/p/disco_1st.htm|website=平沢博物苑|accessdate=11 November 2014|language=Japanese}}</ref> The center labels refer to the sides of the record as "Models".
|-
|[[Compact Cassette|CS]]
|LKF-5029
|
|-
|{{Start date|1992|1|25}}
|Warner Music Japan
|rowspan=3 |[[Compact Disc|CD]]
|WPCL-603
|Released (alongside ''[[Landsale (album)|Landsale]]'' and ''[[Potpourri (P-Model album)|Potpourri]]'') a month before the release of ''[[P-Model (album)|P-Model]]''.
|-
|{{Start date|2002|5|10}}<br>{{Start date|2014|7|4}}
|Chaos Union, Teslakite
|CHTE-0005
|Remastered by Hirasawa. Part of Disc 1 of the ''Ashu-on [Sound Subspecies] in the solar system'' box set, alongside ''Landsale''. The [[Demo (P-Model single)|demo]] and "White Shoes" are on Disc 13 (CHTE-0017).<ref>{{cite web|title=DISC13 |url=http://chaosunion.com/teslakite/box/disc13.htm |work=Ashu-on |publisher=Chaos Union |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050214053804/http://chaosunion.com/teslakite/box/disc13.htm |archivedate=February 14, 2005 }}</ref> Re-released with new packaging by Kiyoshi Inagaki.
|-
|{{Start date|2003|10|20}}
|Warner Music Japan, sky station, SS RECORDINGS
|SS-101
|Packaged in a paper sleeve to replicate the original LP packaging. Includes new [[liner notes]] by music industry writer Dai Onojima.
|}

*"Roomrunner" is included on the ''GET THE PUNK -J PUNK & NEW WAVE 1972～1991-'' various artists compilation.
*"Art Mania" is included on the ''ROCK is LOFT　-Purple Disc- ～SHINJUKU LOFT 30th Anniversary～'', ''TECHNOLOID -JAPANESE 80's NEW WAVE SAMPLER-'', ''Rock NIPPON～Selected by Hiroshi Tsuchiya'', ''KING SONGS of NEW WAVE'' and ''SAKUMA DROPS'' compilation albums.
*The album's singles were reissued on CD on paper sleeves to replicate their original packaging with the band's other Warner-Pioneer released singles as part of the [[Tower Records (music retailer)|Tower Records]] exclusive ''Warner Years Singles Box'' box set in 2012.

==See also==
*[[1979 in Japanese music]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130718110248/http://noroom.susumuhirasawa.com/modules/disco/index.php/photo/33/ IN A MODEL ROOM] at [http://noroom.susumuhirasawa.com/ NO ROOM - The official site of Susumu Hirasawa (P-MODEL)]
* {{MusicBrainz release group|id=9595218c-50e7-3a3f-9133-209e249e798f|name=IN A MODEL ROOM}}
* [http://www.ymns.com/skystation/ss/disc/ss101.html IN A MODEL ROOM] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160320100044/http://ymns.com/skystation/ss/disc/ss101.html |date=2016-03-20 }} at [http://www.ymns.com/skystation/ss/index.html SS RECORDINGS Official Site]

{{P-Model}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:IN A MODEL ROOM}}
[[Category:1979 debut albums]]
[[Category:1979 in Japanese music]]
[[Category:P-Model albums]]
[[Category:1970s Japanese-language albums]]
[[Category:Warner Music Japan albums]]