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There can occasionally be a taint of condescension in Western appreciation of Asian pop artists, especially when the artists in question are female. (Not all supposed fans of Shonen Knife were sincere in their appreciation, and a surprising number seemed unaware of how much of the bands songwriting and image was a deliberate stylistic choice.) However, for all of the unapologetic cuteness in Bear-Gardens music, this twee pop act from Bangkok, Thailand, led by singer/songwriter Somsiri Sangkaew, has no sense of amateurishness or so wrong its right strangeness in its expertly deployed indie pop. Some points of comparison include Architecture in Helsinki, Sufjan Stevens, the Envelopes, the Go! Team, and the Flaming Lips, all of whom share Sangkaews sonic playfulness and disinclination toward easy stylistic pigeonholing. Sangkaews first major musical experience was as bassist in the all-female trio Subnai, who had a string of pop hits in Thailand in the late 90s. Following that bands breakup, Sangkaew started Bear-Garden (her private phrase for a messy, lived-in room) as a solo project with 2001s Im a Gardener, followed by 2003s Mercy Killing, 2004s Blue Traveler, and 2005s Love Is Sweet Suicide.
Stewart Mason, All Music Guide