"Look Directly Into the Sun: China Pop 2007" is a compilation of Beijing rock that was released not too long ago on Bloodshot Records. It was compiled by Martin Atkins (Pigface). It seems that the indy movements of the early to mid 90's have finally caught up with China. Each band on this album captures something that reminds me of some aspect of my teens. The songs are mostly on a lo-fi tip which I like. The album plays like a really great mixtape or maybe an old compilation from Kill Rock Stars. I've played this several times and I get this really sentimental feeling from it. The genres on this compilation range from various forms of punk, grindcore, grunge, indyrock... Pretty much a buffet of 90's rock. I love it though. It's such a solid compilation. I want to hear more from Beijing. Keep it up China! Most of these bands aren't on any labels. A couple have toured abroad. Carsick Cars opened for Sonic Youth for some shows in Europe. I hope some of these get more exposure as I wouldn't mind an album from a few of these artists. They make something that I was feeling old about sound so fresh. Check it out.
Bartleby says
I must confess I found the compilation a bit disappointing myself as it lacks a certain sense of place, that feeling of being rooted somewhere. But perhaps therein lies the Zeitgeist which inhabits the pop rock music made in China.
I like the neo-socialist realist cover though. Thanks for sharing this.
fistula spume says
It got me. It really did. It makes me think of how I have a lot of asian music compilations that draw from western psychedelic and rock'n'roll from the 50's and 60's but their versions of it are waaay off and about 10-15 years after the fact. Still something inspired them to try and do it. I remember hearing about Woodstock China some years ago. The bands had to fight really hard to let the Chinese government allow them to put it on but seems like there was around 4000 kids that showed up. This music sounds to me like 5 years after they just got their shipment in 2002 of Sonic Youth, Alice In Chains, Fugazi, and K Records comps. It most definitely is rooted somewhere else but maybe its more of a lifeline for them than a root that ties them to a culture that they would rather be a part of. Trying to find new roots by associating themselves with someone else's. Who knows? I just really liked the tunes. Didn't post any of the power punk and noise rock tunes on my post. At least I was able to post in the comments for once!
ardyjormkiv says
stand by me? is totally the riff of that song. haha.
i must have missed this post, so thanks for pointing me to it. this is exactly the type of thing i've been wondering about. i wonder what i'll encounter while i'm there....
nice post!
"Look Directly Into the Sun: China Pop 2007" is a compilation of Beijing rock that was released not too long ago on Bloodshot Records. It was compiled by Martin Atkins (Pigface). It seems that the indy movements of the early to mid 90's have finally caught up with China. Each band on this album captures something that reminds me of some aspect of my teens. The songs are mostly on a lo-fi tip which I like. The album plays like a really great mixtape or maybe an old compilation from Kill Rock Stars. I've played this several times and I get this really sentimental feeling from it. The genres on this compilation range from various forms of punk, grindcore, grunge, indyrock... Pretty much a buffet of 90's rock. I love it though. It's such a solid compilation. I want to hear more from Beijing. Keep it up China! Most of these bands aren't on any labels. A couple have toured abroad. Carsick Cars opened for Sonic Youth for some shows in Europe. I hope some of these get more exposure as I wouldn't mind an album from a few of these artists. They make something that I was feeling old about sound so fresh. Check it out.
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