Bishop Allen's "The Chinatown Bus"

Just started listening to a Brooklyn band called Bishop Allen. Enjoying it so far, and one song immediately jumped out at us. It's call the "The Chinatown Bus." Here's a snippet of the lyrics, apparently inspired by a trip to Shanghai:

And I remember Shanghai How I wasn't sure just what was safe to eat The chickens pecked and wandered at the barefoot of the children hawking figurines of workers smiling What's the Chinese word for cheese?

Watched a sidewalk butcher
His instinctive understanding made the carcass snap and clarify beneath his nimble hand that held the knife so long, so many times, the handles' changed to shapes just like his fingers and his palms

The video above is from a live version of the song. The lyrics are a bit muddled, so we suggest you dig around the internet to find a studio recording (it's not difficult ... and you can always buy from iTunes or even the band's site). More Bishop Allen songs available for a listen at MySpace. And here is an assortment of reviews of their 2007 album The Broken String, on which you will find "The Chinatown Bus."

Bishop Allen are touring with another one of our faves, John Vanderslice, at the moment. But Seattle appears to be the closest they'll get to Shanghai. Their site says an Australia tour is in the works for 2008. Guys, you are welcome to our couch if you happen to swing through Shanghai.