In the realm of garage bands, some make it out of the garage and into the studio while others remain behind, playing to groupies. Tooth and Nail has historically pulled little known bands with a large local following and thrust them into the national spotlight. Some of these bands have been really good -- some of them have not. Fine China is not one of these bands.
While production lifts this band above the quality level of your average 'garage' band, there is an overriding monotony to the band's second T&N release, You Make Me Hate Music, making the album seem like one really long song.
Though the band hails from Phoenix, AZ, the vocalist has a definite British accent which adds mystique to the otherwise outdated sound. The band relies heavily on synthesized sound and loops which apparently impressed listeners in Arizona, as the band was named Best Pop Band recently.
Overall, Fine China comes across like a cross between the angsty lyrical style of Nirvana without the musical fire power, and the spacey sound of Fold Zandura -- both of whose era has passed.
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Other coverage for this album
Decapolis August 2002Reviewed by Matt ModrichFine China plays beautiful Brit pop straight out of Phoenix, Arizona. Their second release on Tooth and Nail is entitled "You Make Me Hate Music." Fine China's first album "When the World Sings" seemed to have a strong electronic influence due to the production of Ronnie Martin. But with Jason Martin at the helm on "You Make Me Hate Music" the Starflyer 59 comparisons have begun. As for other…Art for the Ears 2002Reviewed by Marco PovervestDreamy acoustic rock with modest vocals. That defines Fine China on their upcoming album You Make Me Hate Music. It's music in the vein of Starflyer 59 but not as nostalgic. Sometimes it reminds me of eighties rock bands like The Cure but Fine China is not at all dark. The basis of the music is the strumming of the guitar adorned by keyboards/organ while sometimes an electric guitar weeps along.…The Phantom Tollbooth 2002Reviewed by Trae CadenheadThe title of Fine China's new album may be a bit deceiving. After thoroughly digesting You Make Me Hate Music, I found that it helped me to develop a love of good music and only hate the cliché, pop/rock music that clutters the airwaves of popular radio. When the title is taken in that context, this latest composition from a band based on originality and using music as art, You Make Me Hate Music…The Phantom Tollbooth 2002Reviewed by Dr. Bruce L. ThiessenFacing a Bull In Fine China All too often a critic will act like a bull in a china shop, recklessly tearing up everything in harm's way. Yet on the other hand, to borrow an album title from 70s Canadian rock band, Bachman-Turner Overdrive, a good band is "Not Fragile." A good band must be prepared to take on any bull, just like the one that recently trampled Lyle Lovett, as he was heroically…Similar sounding releases
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