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Rating: "The Cultural Revolution (1967-1976) was perhaps the cruelest period of modern Chinese history. Xiu Xiu: The Sent-Down Girl (1999), the latest portrayal of the ruthlessness of the People's Republic of China in trampling on the individual during the Cultural Revolution, is adapted for the screen and directed by China-born actress Joan Chen [do you remember her in Twin Peaks?]. It is banned in China. Joan Chen, moreover, is prohibited from making any more films in the territory of the People's Republic."
The band's name is taken from this film, and in the music of Xiu Xiu, a group composed of that crazy Jamie Stewart, Cory McCulloch, and Yvonne Chen, you can find all the drama and desperate resignation, but also a certain tragic irony...
I think I waited too long to write about it, now I can no longer be objective, I love everything about this album!
Almost impossible to listen to with headphones, the sweet and slowed melodies, electronic sounds, screeching noises, and Jamie Stewart's voice... there are no half measures for his voice, his singing is often a trembling whisper, and just as you're turning up the volume to try to understand better the words he mumbles...AAAAHHHHHHH! A piercing scream makes you jump out of your chair....
I even love his megalomania and paranoia highlighted in "Ian Curtis Wish List" (perhaps written for a fan?):"oh what will happen, will you ever bleat out: DO YOU LUV ME, JAMIE STEWART?! Jane.S I AM KIDDING, I'M JUST KIDDING!!!!!!!" ... "I will take it too far! The twenty-hundred private loops making up my AAAAAAAAAAAAAA! Ian Curtis - I can't believe I said it! - wishlist!"
He's crazy!!! and the look in the photo on the back of the cover says it all...
But don't be frightened by Jamie's screams, nor by my review, it takes strong nerves on the first listen, but I swear it's worth it... it's a difficult but beautiful album!!
BUY "A Promise"!! Even if it's just for the beautiful "Sad Pony Guerrilla Girl" and "Apistat Commander," an exhilarating crescendo and the obsessive chorus... "all that you left you left for someone, all of this hurt that's wilted off, oh this relief is the oddest thing, oh my god, oh my god, oh my gooood...!"
There's also a naked and disarming cover of "Fast Car" by Tracy Chapman, with just bass and voice.
Necessary references: Mark Hollis - Talk Talk, Einstürzende Neubauten (one of Jamie's favorite bands), Tindersticks, Robert Smith - Cure, and their friends Deerhof.
And the instruments: Jamie Stewart - vocals, harmonium, guitar, programming, Cory McCulloch - bass, synth, mandolin, Yvonne Chen - gongs, trumpet, synth, Lauren "Dr. Troll" Andrews - synth, piano, bells.
BUY IT!!! On their website, it says that their very expensive equipment was just stolen and they had to cancel the rest of the tour... let's help Xiu Xiu!!!
I LUV YOU JAMIE STEWART!!!!!
Tracklist Lyrics Samples and Videos
01 Sad Pony Guerrilla Girl (03:18)
You say I am loca because I am your girl
You say I am stupid because I am your girl
You leave me out on the steps you dress me up like a boy
You say that I am your secret love
You say to be quiet but I want to tell the whole world
I like my neighborhood I like my gun
Drive in my little car I am your girl and I will protect you
We do it in the back of my little car
Pull up my pants and fix my bra go on home to your kids
I'm going to be quiet and I'm going to tell the whole block
02 Apistat Commander (04:35)
up, along the rocks,
it's good, it's not so hard now.
up, I bite my tongue, who cares?
this chance to drop off
all that you left you left for someone all of this hurt that's wilted off
all this relief, it's the oddest thing
oh my God, oh my God, oh my God.
Chen, he'll never come that's fine,
I lost my thought
Wei, Huai could talk me down
still, still this chance to drop off
04 20,000 Deaths for Eidelyn Gonzales, 20,000 Deaths for Jamie Peterson (03:16)
Awful is all, awful like cookie
Sour and ringing and lost to this world
These are times, I should shut up about Iris and Oly,
He didn't know how else to be
Hmm hmm hoot hoot
Cherry oh Cherry
While your friend killed her baby
Cherry oh Cherry
I am at your command
Hmm hmm hoot hoot
05 Pink City (02:13)
Anthony Llyod cops horse like a reporter
A two hour plane trip from his life's work
His most important story, sound is faster in water than it is in air
A hydrophone will let you know faster that your grandma and your niece are shot dead
There's a call at tonite's last hour
A bitter pill you've got to swallow it unravels like an affair your only chance to leave BOOGIE TOWN
All my life in the pink city
08 Brooklyn Dodgers (03:51)
Sorry I walked away when you told me what you were scared of the night that you turned 12
Trying not to cry in front of your older brother
He knows where I live, he's not interested
I can't have nice things, like a boy who stays who stays around
When I needed him the most on your walk
Hold your head up high and when you watch me fall
Please look back for the last time
Brooklyn dodger
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