WHAT THE PRESS IS SAYING . . .

"Perhaps the next great thing in experimental rock, Renminbi features a tightly wound mix of guitar, keyboards and drums -- the effect, to say the least, is powerful. . . . 'The Phoenix' is a refreshing change from the formulaic puzzle-piece rock that gathers the bulk of radio airplay and media attention these days. . . . Renminbi truly goes for it on every track, pouring their technical skill and innovative vision to make each song stand out."  
-Jessie Nelson/Venus Zine

"Somewhere under Renminbi's fractured guitar onslaught and pulsating synth stabs hides vocal soundscapes that ultimately elevate 'The Phoenix' from its sparse, post-punk roots to a patchwork quilt of melodies that flow through the band’s art-damaged fabric. . . . 'Lachine' fills up in the middle with a pop hook reminiscent—but not derivative—of Sleater-Kinney, and 'Caveat' marries guitarist Lisa Liu’s expressive playing to cathartic singing that builds to epic proportions. As for the instrumental aesthetics, 'Siren' stands out as a prime example of Liu’s seemingly free-form guitar playing; jagged riffs and dissonance hit the musical canvas like Pollock’s paint drops, and 'A Delay' channels Sonic Youth and Yo La Tengo but remains undeniably Renminbi. With such a promising full-length, it’s hard not to feel excitement over the sonic barriers this up-and-coming band will break through next.
-Bill Dvorak/The Deli Magazine

"Economists already know about the renminbi, the Chinese currency that has appreciated by double digits while the dollar has nosedived. But some fans know Renminbi as a mostly instrumental digi-rock outfit from Brooklyn, whose full-length debut 'The Phoenix,' out today, is an incendiary collection of spacey noise nuggets. The stock of both is rising."
-Scott Thill/WIRED Magazine's Listening Post

"The trio are as dynamic as they are wide-ranging. . . . Liu’s guitar is a beautiful sunset against SMV’s rich landscapes of sound. . . . Long story short, ['The Phoenix'] is an awesome listen."
-Jay Lowe/'Sup Magazine

"Tense riot-grrrl-informed indie rock."
-Time Out New York

"Lisa Liu and SMV don't say a lot on Renminbi's first full-length album, 'The Phoenix.' Instead, the experimental rock duo relies on their instruments to do the talking. It turns out they have a lot to say.... The intricate instrumental parts are a perfect juxtaposition [to] the minimalist approach Renminbi takes to writing lyrics."
-Cleveland Free Times

"Renminbi's name is a lot like its music -- it takes more than a glance to properly read it, but it's worth the effort. Renminbi's tunes ... pleasantly [guide] listeners up builds, down chord progressions and through tempo shifts ... as [the band's] driven ambiance takes over."
-Caleb Goellner/The Pitch

"You know what really turns me on? Chicks with huge balls. Renminbi . . . hold nothing back in creating a flustering stampede of sound. . . . These girls will not only impress you with their writing and playing, but they will also knock you flat on your ass. Remnimbi’s musical compositions are noticeably mature as they often teeter the line, but never fully cross, into harmonious resolves."
-Glide Magazine's Hidden Track

"Experimental noise rock with odd tempos and sudden melodic openings. . . . Don't miss!"
-The Deli

Lisa Liu is "a pretty mean-spirited axewoman, which means, y’know, ROWR times 1,000 as far as this writer is concerned. 'Siren' is probably the apotheosis of her badassery, a filthy-good sort of workout where she and [Jim] Archer seem to be mapping new territory as they go along. . . . Overall grade [for 'The Phoenix']: very good."
-Matt Cibula/Cave17

"An engrossing listen. . . . 'The Phoenix' is one of the more catchy releases I’ve heard thus far this year."
-Gavin Hoffman/SLUG Magazine

"The Phoenix" is "a great album if you want to sit in the dark and crank the stereo. . . . [Renminbi] know how to create some amazing sounds. Check this record out!"
-Tom Spinelli/Melodic.net

"Solid."
-Milk Milk Lemonade


All reviews 2008, except MML, 2007