Having been around since 1999, the Beijing-based Glamorous (sometimes Glorious) Pharmacy has built up quite the reputation in the Chinese experimental art scene. Part of the band were members of the legendary Chinese folk group Wild Children, and they've since taken the notion of Chinese folk to experimental extremes.
They've made rare local appearances at the 4Live Festival and avant-garde frontman Xiao He occasionally pops into town to yowl away with his cheeky brethren Top Floor Circus. Internationally, they were one of the first Chinese bands to tour England, even supporting Lou Reed at the 2007 Rencontres d'Arles in France.
Rumbling Footsteps, their third studio effort, does not disappoint. It's a powerful medley of experimental rock, percussion and a mix of Chinese and Kazakh influences, permeating into Indian and Middle Eastern sounds. The theatrical album is filled with what sounds like chaotic improvisation, averaging over seven minutes per track. If it were a play it would be labeled 'theater of the absurd' due to its obvious parody, dismissal of realism and hard-hitting sounds.
Using mini-cymbals, glockenspiels, an accordion, bass and drums, the record moves through deliberately clichéd folk, polka, ska and metal riffs, even veering into Peking Opera, a slapstick comedy show and the Bugs Bunny theme (one of several unusual song endings). As these strange sounds, drummer boy samples, raps and unusual voice techniques play out, it's clear that this is one of the most original, inventive and refreshing compositions around. Just be prepared to listen with an open mind.
From: http://www.urbanatomy.com/index.php/arts/music/538-album-review-glamorous-pharmacy