Singapore International Water Week took place earlier this month and that got us thinking about “the elixir of life.” After all, at a time when environmental concerns make the very idea of transporting water politically incorrect, do you really need expensive imported water? With Ice Mountain and Dasani acting as our everyday local controls, we decided to find out.

STILL

Acqua Panna, $1.95 (500 ml)
An abrasive, bitter water. As if you’re sipping just downstream from a dead sheep. Enough said.

Dasani, $0.50 (600ml)
Fairly ordinary, but with a fullness and no sharp flavors, which in this case is a good thing.

Evian, $1.20 (330 ml)
It’s heavy duty water this, and leaves a thin film on your tongue. At the risk of sounding pretentious, yes, you can absolutely taste the minerality.

*I-S PICK* Fiji, $1.65 (500 ml)
A thick, substantial water with a lush mouthfeel that’s nice and crisp. If we were stranded on a desert island, this is the one we’d be dreaming of.

Highland Spring, $1.20 (330ml)
Aside from being fairly ordinary, it has a sharp, astringent aftertaste that is simply horrible.

Ice Mountain $0.50 (500 ml)
A real plain Jane that’s bland and flavorless, with an end note that made us regret swallowing.

Purence, $2.05 (389ml)
Fresh and clean with an almost sugary finish. Overall, it’s quite a pleasant drink but it wouldn’t be the first thing we’d reach for.

Vittel, $1.30 (330 ml)
There’s a distinct powdery, almost chalky taste and texture. Plus a slightly sour aftertaste that assures it’s not getting our vote. Ever.

Volvic, $1.45 (500 ml)
Not overly mineral-ly, this is a well-rounded and structured sip that’s quite satisfying.

SPARKLING

Eau de Perrier, $3.10 (750ml)
It has big bubbles that will smack you awake (despite the fact that they market it as “lightly sparkling”). There’s also the faintest hint of lemon.

Oldenlandia Water, $0.90 (270ml)
Truly revolting. Exceedingly salty with a distinct (and distinctly unpleasant) Chinese herbal taste. Forget about it.

*I-S PICK* San Pellegrino Terme, $1.95 (500ml)
It’s pleasantly sparkling and leaves some residual sweetness on the tongue. The fizz is just right and gives your mouth a tingle, in an entirely good way.

San Benedetto, $2.30 (1500ml)
If you like bubbles, this is a bit flat. We’re talking very, very minimal carbonation. There’s also a mild lemon-y tinge and not a hint of bitterness—delish.

Source Badoit, $5.35 (750ml)
Meh. Quite mild in terms of carbonation level and taste, we weren’t thoroughly impressed. Let’s just say that if this was a date, there wouldn’t be a second.

Voss, $4.90 (375 ml)
This pricey Norwegian import is fizzy H2O for wimps. The taste is fine, but there just aren’t enough bubbles (as if it’s been opened and left standing out).

Essentials:

Most, if not all, are available at major supermarkets but prices vary.

We got all but one of ours at Cold Storage Holland Village (#01-05, 233 Holland Village, 6468-5566).

Voss is sold at Jones the Grocer (#01‑12 Blk. 9 Dempsey Hill, Dempsey Rd., 6476‑1512).

What inspires you on a day to day basis?
Financial need [laughs]. Basically writing songs that will be fun to play live. We’re pretty sensitive to not appearing like assholes on stage so much so that if a song feels wrong or it’s not clicking well when we’re performing we’ll actually drop it altogether.

If you had to choose your favorite record of all time what would it be?
The new Wild Beasts record Smother is what I’m listening to most right now but Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours and David Bowie’s Low would also definitely make it onto my list

How was it recording your fourth studio album Barbara with a new drummer?
Our new drummer Andy Burrows (of Razorlight fame) was in London, me and Keith were in New York and our producer was in LA so it was a pain in the ass to arrange everyone’s schedule. But it ran much more smoothly and amicably than previous records. Andy came in as a very like-minded songwriter and respected what the band had done previously whilst being excited to add to it.

What can fans expect from your gig here?
I think we’re in the height of the process of becoming a really great live band. It definitely helps to have Andy along full-time for the tour because it feels like we have a huge artillery van behind us, driving us on.

Is there anything you’re most looking forward to whilst in Singapore?
My parents travel a lot and Singapore is the one city in Asia that they would consider moving to. The island is definitely a mystery that I’m really excited to explore.

Have a rocking night with We Are Scientists at the Neon Trees—Live in Singapore gig.

• 7 For All Mankind
• Calvin Klein Jeans
• The Denim Store
• Diesel
• DKNY JEANS
• Evisu
• Guess
• Levis
• True Religion
• Very Wooonderland

Bistro Petit Salut #01-54 Chip Bee Gardens, 44 Jln. Merah Saga, 6474-9788.

Brasserie WOLF #01-13 The Pier @ Robertson, 80 Mohamed Sultan Rd., 6835-7818.

Cocotte G/F Wanderlust, 2 Dickson Rd., 6298-1188.

db Bistro Moderne #B1-48 Galleria Level, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Ave., 6688-8525.

Entre-nous Creperie #01-01, 27 Seah St., 6333-4671.

Le Bistrot du Sommelier #01-01 Prinsep Place, 46 Prinsep St., 6333-1982.

Picotin Bar Bistro 100 Turf City Rd., 6877-1191.

Saint Pierre #01-01 Central Mall, 3 Magazine Rd., 6438-0887.