In the same vein as New Order, or The Smiths, special attention is placed on crafting the most engaging melodies, and arrangements of instruments. The sumptuous bass lines in Fine China's universe could singlehandedly carry the songs. Add to that luxurious synths, Rob Withem's slight whisper of a voice, and some of the richest, sweetest melodies this side of London, and heaven will seem just a little bit closer than yesterday.
The blissful title track alone is well worth the purchase price, but there are so many other gems for the listener's pleasure. "Labor Saving Device," and "They'll Love Us For" and "For All Centuries" all have their finger on that which is most delightful. The mournful strains of "The Patient," or the regretful "Drop the Bomb" segue nicely between the more upbeat, dance-influenced tracks.
What Fine China is doing, and doing so well, is writing real songs, and these songs will make the world sing. And When the World Sings it will be a better place.
[Ed. Fine China's When the World Sings is probably not technically an "underground" CD, since Tooth & Nail is a pretty major record company, but for all intents and purposes this is indeed an underground release, and one definitely worth giving high profile in our pages. Street Date : 26 Sep 00]
Other coverage for this album
Opus 2001Reviewed by Nolan ShigleyJason and I were fortunate enough last year to have press passes to the Cornerstone Festival, and Fine China was the first chance to abuse our privileges. We went backstage to watch the show, snapping photos and brushing elbows with music journalism's best. As far as I knew, Fine China was just a cool rock band I'd heard on various tracks on Velvet Blue Music samplers. I was taken aback when I…The Phantom Tollbooth 2000Reviewed by Michial FarmerMy friend Brook and I went to Fine China's Cornerstone 2000 set just to see if the lead singer was male or female. We fought our way through the crowd, and discovered that, indeed, Rob Withem is male, and his band makes great alternative/electronica music reminiscent of New Order, The Smiths, or maybe even a happier The Cure. After receiving the band's first release on a major label, When the…Similar sounding releases
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