CD Reviews

Peppermint (薄荷葉)

Taxi Room (的士房間)

White Wabbit

A couple of years ago I wouldn't have had a whole lot to say about the folk rock four-piece Peppermint (薄荷葉). The band's 2002 debut, Cool (涼) was a disjointed affair on which the band picked and plucked its way through a so-so set of tunes, none of which grabbed the listener and all of which made the band sound like a poor man's Belle and Sebastian.

Three years on, however, and the band this reviewer was once ready to write off is back with a vengeance and a second album that is far cleaner and a whole lot meaner. Peppermint's once tired jangle sound has gotten tighter and its once lackluster folksy riffs are edgier and much more fluid.

Sure, the band still boasts a quirky college sound, but any fan of well-thought out and expertly executed indie rock will be find it hard not to be impressed with any of the material on Taxi Room (的士房間). And, as if all that's not enough, it makes for a good way to begin this weeks very alt-rock oriented CD reviews.

The band might have taken a new musical route, but lyrically it has remained in tune with its past and still packs its tunes with plenty of sardonic and comedic moments. The album begins with pretty standard piece of mild folk rock that sees the combo mimicking their melancholy days of yore, but come track two, the gritty heavy percussive Documentary (紀錄片), a far more robust Peppermint makes a welcome appearance.

There's not a blooper on the entire album, but the two tracks that really stand out and prove that the band has matured tenfold over the past three years are the jerky and hard hitting buzzsaw guitar loaded Apple Crime (蘋果有罪) and the mesmerizing and hypnotic post-rock-like Is Anything Real (有什麼是真的).

Although Peppermint throws in a couple more down-to-earth and sedate folksy moments for good measure, even these don't distract from the harder hitting tunes that make up the crux of what is undeniably a fine piece of local indie pop.

Chicken Rice (雞腿飯)

Lucky 7

Vegetarian Fish

If you've never heard of or seen Chicken Rice (雞腿飯) live then shame on you as you're missing out on one of the most exciting acts to hit the local alternative music since Sticky Rice (糯米糰) in 1997.

Not only is Chicken Rice the nation's only genuine pyschobilly band, but it's also one of only a handful with the musical oomph and the lyrical chutzpah to inspire Taiwan's traditionally passive youth into dancing.

Starting life as a standard college punk band almost eight years ago, Chicken Rice morphed into a kick ass swing act four years ago. Since then it has proven a crowd pleaser when and wherever it has performed. Be it at any one of the nation's numerous outdoor festivals or at a gig in a smoky bar, the three-piece combo has enthralled audiences up and down the country with its energy and fresh approach.

You might not like rockabilly and you might not know what a pyschobilly band is, but if you're open mined enough and looking for something entertaining then the band's aptly titled seven track debut, Lucky 7 is a great place to begin. It might have been released on a new label but don't let this put you off. The production is excellent and the band on fire.

Sound and stylewise the trio has copied from masters. It has taken the chaotic sound of the first generation pyschobilly acts such as The Meteors, blended this with Brian Setzer-styled rockabilly riffs and added heap of contemporary hooks not far removed from those employed by Aussie ska/pyschobilly punksters, The Living End.