Andy Beta writes a worthwhile primer if you're new to the Chinese rock scene. Jealous that I didn't pitch this to Paste back in January when I was thinking about it, but reading it confirms to me that there's more interesting work to be done on Chinese indie rock outside of BJ.
PS: Can somebody buy the music issue of the Believer for me? I'll pick it up from you in about 365 days. I like to buy 'em every year, but I don't think I'll find a copy here.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Music Snob Translations
"Them? Yeah, I've heard of them, but I haven't heard them."
Translation: I've never heard of them.
"Yeah, I've only heard like two or three of their songs."
Translation: I've heard of them but never actually heard them.
"Their new stuff is way better than their old stuff."
Translation: I've never heard their old stuff.
"They're good if you're into, like, the Smiths and the Cure."
Translation: I read the little "RIYL" box in CMJ, but I haven't heard them.
"I like their old stuff better."
Translation: I am a jerk.
"I listen to everything from Armenian speed metal to pan-European-Gypsy-post-punk."
Translation: I listen to System of a Down and Gogol Bordello.
Translation: I've never heard of them.
"Yeah, I've only heard like two or three of their songs."
Translation: I've heard of them but never actually heard them.
"Their new stuff is way better than their old stuff."
Translation: I've never heard their old stuff.
"They're good if you're into, like, the Smiths and the Cure."
Translation: I read the little "RIYL" box in CMJ, but I haven't heard them.
"I like their old stuff better."
Translation: I am a jerk.
"I listen to everything from Armenian speed metal to pan-European-Gypsy-post-punk."
Translation: I listen to System of a Down and Gogol Bordello.
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Sixpence None the Richer - My Dear Machine EP available
Out of nowhere, Sixpence releases their EP on NoiseTrade, a website which allows you to download albums free (if you provide the email address of 3 friends -- which the site does not store or keep) -- or you can pay any amount from $1 to $25.
Sunday, July 06, 2008
Chindie and Chrindie
Just found out I had a paper on Chinese indie rock accepted at conference on"Sinology and Sino-Foreign cultural relations and exchange," hosted by my new employer (starting Sept. 1), Zhejiang University. [Not that I know anything about "sinology." But I know a lil' something about indie rock.] So begins my attempt, as Robert Frost wrote, to unite "my vocation and my avocation." I think. Sorta.
A few religion/rock pieces brewing - one on David Bazan, one on U.S.E. and Family Force Five - look for them at the end of the summer.
A few religion/rock pieces brewing - one on David Bazan, one on U.S.E. and Family Force Five - look for them at the end of the summer.
Thursday, July 03, 2008
Settling Down and Rocking Out
Here are my reviews of two albums reflecting, perhaps, the concerns of the married-with-children rock band: Weezer's Red Album (there are some weird things in here that I don't remember writing; I must have sent a draft by mistake) and Mates of States' Re-Arrange Us. Note: I referred to some "much better" songs on Weezer's deluxe edition, but that wasn't completely accurate. There are four bonus tracks: two ("Miss Sweeney" and "Pig") are very good, and two ("King" and "the Spider") are very bad.
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