V/A :: An Anthology Of Chinese Experimental Music 1992-2008 (Sub Rosa)

(September 2009) While music has evolved tremendously over the years, listening to this Anthology of Chinese Experimental Music perhaps references that essential link to Ling Lun, who according to Chinese mythology paved the way for the expansion of music in China.

There’s over 5 hours of listening on this compilation of abstract non academic
music from mainland China’s explosive underground – a scene that’s now emerging and taking on a radical direction all of its own.

This collection spans many variations within the developing musical culture; however, this particular noise art is an acquired taste. Taking the listener on a fundamental journey, it demonstrates how artists have fought against the grain of what has been some strictly controlled mainstream. It has the potential to provide insightful listening for anyone who has a growing interest in the study of Chinese culture or alternative musical viewpoints.

With many extended stretches of crashes, blips and bleeps, much of the work could easily have established a pride of place during the rise of the acid house scene, which descended on the U.K. during the latter half of the 1980’s. Given the aforementioned comparison, it would denote that some of the experimentation on this work is marginally dated.

That said, there are some brief moments of picturesque harmony, but the work mainly reverts back to scientific landscapes, nuclear sound waves and general hi-tech engineering science, often making it hard to place.

A distinct exception to the rule occurs with the outlandish yet more traditional instrumentation by Dancing Stone. Additional appeal occurs with intriguing tracks by Loga – consisting of strong imaginary elements, Eric Lins’ psychological thriller, Z.S.LO’s techno explosions plus the complete war zone generated by Torturing Nurse.

In the main, it can be drawn out; the compositions that materialise over the four discs frequently become contaminated with the kind of abrasive sound that’s about as subtle as a brillo pad on porcelain.

An Anthology Of Chinese Experimental Music 1992-2008 is out now on Sub Rosa. [Purchase]