This compilation from Beijing-based independent label New Bees provides a perfect sampling of what happened in the Chinese music scene last year. Or at least what happened on the New Bees label in 2005. In fact, this release is something of an advertisement for its latest signings with the inclusion of artists’ biographies and links to their websites. So what happened? Not much apparently. Most bands appear to have followed the long-standing formula of emulating their Western idols, be they punk, rock, rap or new wave. Crystal Butterfly for example, owe the title of the successful debut album Magical Mystery Tour to the Beatles and their sound to British pop-rock bands like U2. Chinese vocalist M.I.K., who sings in English, clearly takes his cue from new-wave gloom band, The Cure. Oddly, the last track on this CD, “Stay By My Side” is the real thing, sort of, a country pop tune from Swedish band The Club 8, whose 2005 release Strangely Beautiful peaked at number 18 in US charts. With a total of ten cuts from eight different bands, Indieblog Music may not enlighten anyone on the Chinese alternative-music circle, but it will inform those who are interested about who is influencing whom.
New Bees/available at www.newbeesmusic.com

(c) that's Shanghai Magazine
Chief editor: Steven Crane
January 2006 issue



Guanzhou Chief editor: Christopher Cottrell
January 2006 issue