With the release of its first compilation, "Flower Bird Fish Insect," New Bees Music establishes itself perhaps not as the leading arbiter of emerging rock talent in China, but at least as a company that understands the value of good production. Read Steven Schwankert's New Bees Produces Musical Honey.


Formed by a group of "former factory workers, farmers, and students" this six man band pushes the envelope of modern Chinese in a take on post-punk art rock with their cacophonous swirl of weird off timings, randomly interspersed melody snippets, and frantic keyboards. Read Jerry Chan's Tongue Keeps It Interesting



The electronic band Supermarket's newest release "7 Weapons" employs a complex arsenal of breakbeats and samples and draws from a wide range of influences without sacrificing their own original sound. Plus they are virtually the only group in China of their kind. Read Jerry Chan's Supermarket's Display Dazzles.



While some savvy listeners may be able to discern some fairly cutting edge influences, this album is plagued by an uneven blend of pretentious vocals, acoustic guitars, and the random drum machine beat, a la Enigma. Thus, much like a talented basketball team that lacks a strong center, "Temple Fair Tour" simply never seems to get into its game. Read Jerry Chan's No's Innovation Annoys.



"Black Techno", the new album from Hong Kong rocker Silvester See, is a somewhat improvisational, heavy-metal meditation on fin-de-siecle Hong Kong, with lyrics in no less than four languages. Read Steven Schwankert's "Black Techno" A Meditations on the Hong Kong Handover.



Since the release of the Fly’s debut album in 1996, Feng Jiangzhou has intrigued Chinese rock fans with his incisive lyrics and electrifying stage presence. The soft-spoken and articulate Fly frontman’s various musical projects often range into the experimental and artistic spectrum of rock music. Read Jerry Chan's review.




Demon's hard-edged sound have earned them a reputation as one of the coolest unsigned acts in Chinese rock. Read Jerry Chan's reviews.



As the frontman for seminal fan favorite Overload and the founder of the late 80s band Breathing, (the remnants of which now play at Mother Earth Cafe in Beijing), Gao Qi has enjoyed a long and prolific career in the Chinese rock scene. After nearly three years between releases, the band's newest LP Mystical Blue Sky reflects new influences and directions in his music. Jerry Chan reviews Gao Qi's newest release.




It would have been easy for Dou Wei to use his recent split with Faye Wong as an excuse and ride the headlines to sales on another ambient, stare-at-my-shoes album. Luckily, he didn't do that.

While fans of Dou's two previous efforts, "Sunny Days" and "Mountain River Water" won't be disappointed with the Eno-esque nature of "Hallucination," his fourth studio work, neither will fans of the heavier landmark album "Black Dream." Dou finally seems to remember his faux-metal roots and the fact that guitars make sounds other than chiming bells.   The complete review.



Beijing needs Yang Naiwen. At least, Beijing needs someone like her. With Luo Qi continuing her post-addiction exile in Germany, there is yet to emerge another rock chick who can front a band and devastate all in her path with her vocal power (quiet, you Qianqian fans; you know she's not there yet).

On her latest release, "Silence," Yang Naiwen shows that women from Taiwan can do more than sing saccharine and cry on camera. Yang has rock in her blood and a great set of lungs and vocal chords to match. There we have it--Anatomy of a Rock Goddess 101.  The complete review




The "pioneer and leader of contemporary rock music in China," Cui Jian's following extends beyond his Chinese fans to the international community. Read an interview with the star during his recent North America tour.