Search - Fine China :: When the World Sings

Shoegazers take heart, for your craft is not dead

N. Saxton | Tucson, AZ United States | 03/22/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"A quick listen to the radio will give the impression that being white, male, and younger than 30 automatically means having mis-directed anger, inflated egos, and a complete lack of songwriting ability. However, my faith in Modern Rock is restored through Fine China."When the World Sings" is non-threatening, hum-able fare, but stops short of being easily-forgotten bubble-gum pop. The songwriter enjoys the english language, crafting phrases that are almost startling to today's listeners who have come to expect little more than power chords and cliche lyrics. "We Rock Harder Than You Ever Knew", sung almost entirely in falsetto with an 80's english rock beat, is a juxtaposition that alone is worth the price of the album.Morrissey, Marr, and New Order paved the road, The Ocean Blue built the car, and now Fine China are in the driver's seat. You would do well to make yourself a passenger."

The review from "a music fan from Texas" is my best friend's

N. Saxton | 06/04/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Well, clearly my best friend and I are utter loons for Fine China. While this is their first release on a "known" label, this synth pop outfit has actually been around for a couple years now. Several of their releases were available for awhile from Velvet Blue Music; it's very interesting to note their evolution from a paradoxically subtle guitar-driven pop to a more radio-friendly, yet still marvelously elegant, electronic sound. Check these guys out."

Musicianship Required:

N. Saxton | 04/24/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Fine China is great and this is there best album to date (this is their first LP. I also own some of their early EP's). They have a sound that is very reminescent of some 80's euro-pop icons, most notably The Smiths and New Order, but to label them as throw-backs to that era is a bit dismissive. Fine China crafts music as opposed to screaming and banging and thrashing it into a messy existence which seems to be the trend of much of todays "popular" music. This album contains everything from charged danceble tunes to quiet and somtimes haunting meditative odes. I like to equate them more to Radiohead or Flaming Lips (Soft Bulletin). The three bands may not share a particular sound but they are all thoughtfull, competent and inventive musicians-music oriented bands. I highly recomend this album to anyone who considers themselves to have more sophisticated music tastes."