The title track builds suspense with some spacey noodling from the band, and then explodes into an unforgettable, wonderfully dense storm of distortion — a testament to the skills of both Huang and the recording engineer who manages to keep the overall mix warm and transparent.
The punk in Huang takes over in tracks like Trendy Psychiatrist, which has vocals that sound intentionally rendered to be unclear, and the hyperactive 195, in which the band flaunts both its speed and agility.
Like many post-rock groups, which mostly perform instrumentals, Hsi Pan Jie sets out to create evocative moods that drive the music. But what sets this band apart is how well it balances musical whims with snappy song structures and arrangements — something clearly evident on Needing Dimensions.
While Taiwanese fans pine over renowned bands of the genre like Mogwai or Mono, hopefully they won’t forget that compelling music is being made in their own backyard.
— DAVID CHEN
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