I was not an avid fan of China Crisis in the 80's. I initially thought their music was "safe" and plain. When one is younger, one is more inclined to take risk and experiment with more weird new wave stuff. Nowadays, I learn to love this band more. Age does changes things.
Item #1 : China Crisis - Collection Cassette Tape
The first tape I bought from them was the early 90's
very best compilation from Alpha Records Philippines. I found the music
here very easy to listen to. I immediately liked the songs "Black Man
Ray", "Best Kept Secret", "You Did Cut Me", "Arizona Sky" and of course the monster hit "Wishful Thinking". I was amazed that many old tapes still maintain their audio quality specially quality tapes like this which I think is recorded by the local BASF tape replicating plant. I have many Philippine pressed vinyls that sound worst than some tapes, specially on the treble side, the high notes are "basag" and the pops are irritatingly loud.
Item #2 : China Crisis - Flaunt The Imperfection
Flaunt The Imperfection would be the perfect album of China Crisis. Excellent production work by Walter Becker. The album sounds very "pop-jazz' to me. Stand out cuts are "Highest High", "You Did Cut Me", "Bigger The Punch I'm Feeling" and "Blue Sea".
Item #3 : China Crisis - What Price Paradise
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| An often overlook album. The album sounds a lot like "Flaunt The Imperfection". Of course it could not match the perfection of its predecessor. Tracks like "The Understudy", "Best Kept Secret", "A Days Work For The Dayo's Done" and "It's Everything" makes this a must have for any China Crisis fan. |
Item #4 : China Crisis - Warped By Success
Lush production with a different take by using some drum machines. Another album with lots of Jazz influences. A very good album if you give it time to sink in. Favorites include "Thank You", "Hands On The Wheel", "Good Again' and one of my all time favorite from this band, "Without The Love". The melody on this track drives me crazy.
Item #5: China Crisis - Difficult Shapes & Passive Rhythms, Some People Think It's Fun to Entertain
This must be one of the longest titled album from the 80's. This is their attempt to make it in the exploding New Wave scene in the early 80's with danceable tracks like "Some People I Know Lead Fantastic Lives" and "African & White".
Item #6: China Crisis - Acoustically Yours
Gary Daly is fortunate to have a great set of musicians playing with them as China Crisis. This live set will attest to that. The version of "It's Everything" here is much better than the studio version. My favorites here are not the obvious hits but the tracks "It's Everything", "Good Again", "Thank You", "Hands On The Wheel" and "Diary Of A Hollow Horse".
Item #7: China Crisis - Diary-A Collection
Since I have all the studio albums, I was not really interested in any greatest hits compilation albums of China Crisis. Well, A friend did burned me a copy of this one. I have not listened to it much. I thought the compilation was done haphazardly.
Item #8: China Crisis - Live at The Dominion Theatre
This
one is a signed CD-R copy being sold in the lobby of the PICC Plenary
Hall during their first Philippine concert in 2002. I thought that cover
was interesting and is different from the actual CD release. I bought
this for P300 because I was disappointed with the T-shirt being sold at
the venue. They were tiny in size and can only fit teenagers!
What I cannot forget about this concert was we paid for the cheaper upper seats but was later asked to move down to the more expensive tickets near the stage which were almost empty. Well, I guess China Crisis is no Fra Lippo Lippi in terms of popularity in the Philippines :)
What I cannot forget about this concert was we paid for the cheaper upper seats but was later asked to move down to the more expensive tickets near the stage which were almost empty. Well, I guess China Crisis is no Fra Lippo Lippi in terms of popularity in the Philippines :)
Item #9: China Crisis - What Price Paradise LP
New wave music collectors can have endless discussions on which format is better. Well, to me great music is great music whatever the format is. My only gripe with vinyl is how can I enjoy this while on the road? :)
Item #10: China Crisis - Diary Of A Hollow Horse LP
Another great album from China Crisis. Even without Walter Becker, the succeeding albums after "Flaunt The Imperfection" are not that bad. Favorites are "Sweet Charity in Adoration", "Diary of A Hollow Horse" and "Red Letter Day". The weaker tracks are the last three on this album.
Item #11: China Crisis - Working with Fire and Steel LP
The second album must be the most popular in the Philippines. This one sounds similar to the first album with a lot of danceable tracks. "Wishful Thinking" can be played three or more times in a China Crisis concert and no one seems to complain :)
Item #11: China Crisis - Flaunt The Imperfection LP
One of the few Philippine pressed vinyl albums that sounds great. Credit goes to Dyna Products on this one.
