Music Roundup: July 2009
What is it about summer that says to musicians, “Now is the time to release an album?” We’re not sure. We’re not complaining, either. Just show us the record.
Let’s begin with Sand, since it goes oh-so-well with the season. The blues rockers will finally release their sophomore album, The World Has Become a Fairytale, on July 25 at Jiangjinjiu Bar. To say this record has been long-awaited would be an understatement – eight years have passed since the band’s debut.
On the topic of debuts, Girls Are Waiting To Meet You on July 16. No, girls aren’t really waiting to meet you, but the folk rock band – GAWTMY for short – is certainly waiting for you to buy their first album, which will be released that night at Yugong Yishan. And while we’re on the subject of releases at YGYS, Second Hand Rose unleashes a new EP on July 10.
Someone who is certainly not releasing an EP is Xiao He (see photo, above). Quite the contrary. The experimental folk artist/extraterrestrial sound traveler has put together a mamba jamba of an album – two albums, to be exact – rumored to cost an arm and a leg. Still, if you’ve ever seen Xiao He before or are familiar with Glamorous Pharmacy, then you know it will be money worth spending. His jam-packed double CD, The Performance of Identity, drops on July 3 at D-22.
Another big cheese in the Beijing scene releasing an album is Brain Failure. Downtown Production will be the fourth LP by the punk rock idols, and you can crash their release party at The Star Live on July 17.
Speaking of parties, Dr. Feel Good, Finger Family, Chinatown, Perdel and others get together for one at MAO Livehouse on July 11. And then they offer you a compilation album. In times of financial constraint, more bands can be better than one.
Except if it’s Carsick Cars. You definitely want an album of just them – maybe even two or three – because yes, they are that good. The highly anticipated You Can Listen, You Can Talk was finally made available (after a few stalls) at the end of June. More on the band’s man of mystery, Zhang Shouwang, in this issue’s Music Feature (p85).
In other news, Jimmy’s Thai Kitchen & Lounge is not releasing an album, as restaurants and bars tend not to do such things. But they are offering live jazz and, even better, big band swing. Combine that with hot chilli and coconut curry, and it’s a surefire winner. Or just a sure fire. Likely in the tummy after eating all that Thai food and then swing-dancing all night long. (Disclaimer: the Beijinger is not responsible for any dangerous aftereffects due to combining food and music.)