Zi Yue (band) explained

Zi Yue (子曰乐队) or Yaoshi Ziyue (爻釋・子曰) are a Chinese rock band formed in Beijing in 1994. The name "Zi yue" literally means "Confucius Says...," but the band has occasionally also used the English name You.Me.It.. The founder and lead singer is Qiu Ye (秋野).^{[1] [2] [3]}

Zi Yue's first album was praised as the best Chinese album of 1997 by China Broadway (Zhongguo Bailaohu), which is one of China's leading music magazines. Rock critic Shang Guan wrote: "Just when we are lamenting the decline of Chinese rock and roll, Zi Yue brings us this delightful album. It is not only a pleasant surprise, but also a comfort — a comfort to all the hearts which have cooled down for such a long time.."^[4]

Albums

• Yáoshì zǐyuē (爻釈・子曰) Daheng Electronic Publishing, 1997, August 2000 CD
• Fènfēi zài nǔlì (奮飛再努力) Shuhe Langqiao Cultural Broadcasting, November 2002 CD
• Vol.2 (第二册) Tianjin Music Co., Beijing Capital Cultural Records, July 2002 ISRC CN-C09-02-310-00/A.J6 cassette and CD

Notes and References

1. Edward L. Davis Encyclopedia of Contemporary Chinese Culture 2004 p.966 "Rock band The black comedian of Chinese rock music is Qiu Ye (b. 1966), leader of the Beijing art rock ensemble Yaoshi-Ziyue (English name: You.Me.It.). Founded as Ziyue (The Master Says, a.k.a. Sperm & Egg) the band began playing Beijing bars in 1996 and developed a reputation for high-calibre musicianship in a scene essentially devoid of musical technique."
2. Jeroen de Kloet China with a Cut: Globalisation, Urban Youth and Popular Music 2010 p.52 "Zi Yue's music is labelled 'opera rock', a reference to the specific vocals of Qiu Ye, which strongly resemble those in Beijing opera. The music presents a mixture of 'Western' rock with instruments considered traditionally Chinese."
3. Jenny Kwok Wah Lau Multiple Modernities: Cinemas and Popular Media in Transcultural East Asia Philadelphia: Temple University Press 2003 p.40 "The music of Zi Yue ("it says" or "the master speaks," a reference to the Chinese philosopher Confucius) is produced by Cui Jian. Qiu Ye, more than the Fly or NO, focuses on making Chinese rock. He criticizes those who in his eyes copy Western music and stress the Chinese character of his music. "
4. Jenny Kwok Wah Lau Multiple Modernities: Cinemas and Popular Media in Transcultural East Asia 2003 p.41 1566399866 "Zi Yue's CD was praised as the best Chinese album of 1997 by one of China's leading music magazines, China Broadway (Zhongguo Bailaohu). According to rock critic Shang Guan: "Just when we are lamenting the decline of Chinese rock ..."