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Product Description
Review
This wonderful compilation is a dream come true to followers of the latest and greatest bands on the alternative/nu-folk rock scene. Compiled by Aaron and Bryce Dessner from The National, the cast of performers here reads like a who's who of acts Pitchfork readers like to namedrop.
Arcade Fire, Sufjan Stevens, Feist, Beirut and Bon Iver are just a few of the cool names who have contributed high quality tracks to this album which is released by the Red Hot Organisation. Red Hot have been releasing albums on a regular basis for the last twenty years to raise funds and awareness in the fight against AIDS. The original album, Red Hot + Blue, featured stars such as Neneh Cherry reinterpreting the songs of Cole Porter.
This double album of mostly original compositions opens with an upbeat and wacky collaboration from Dirty Projectors and David Byrne, who also appeared on the original Red Hot album. Two more excellent collaborations follow. The first, a cover of Nick Drake's Cello Song is an album highlight; Jose Gonzalez's sweet vocals combine beautifully with an electro beat and austere cello. Next the distinctive vocals of Feist and Ben Gibbard's exquisite slide guitar produce a winsome version of Vashti Bunyan's Train Song.
Disc one ends with the epic, sprawling You Are The Blood from Sufjan Stevens. Over ten minutes a whole orchestra of sounds are inflicted upon the listener. From dramatic strings to uncomfortable squealing noises and classical piano, it's a challenging but rewarding listen.
The majority of tracks on disc two maintain a down-tempo atmosphere, but there are a few upbeat feel good songs scattered amongst the acoustic numbers; the sing-a-long Hey, Snow White by the New Pornographers and the joyful El Caporal from My Morning Jacket.
Overall the tracks combine to produce a collection which is eclectic and entertaining without sounding disjointed. The quality rarely dips; surprisingly it's the title track which veers too far towards noodling. The majority of the artists have clearly delivered their best work rather than throwaway b-sides which can often make up these compilations.
For once you don't have to feel guilty name dropping a whole host of new acts. After all, it's for a good cause. --Dan Tallis
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Product Description
2CD set. Fab 31-track Red Hot Organization compile, curated by The National! Exclusive songs 'n' rarities by Arcade Fire ; Bon Iver ; Blonde Redhead ; Grizzly Bear ; Iron & Wine ; Conor Oberst ; Sufjan Stevens ; Yo La Tengo ; Cat Power ; Antony ; etc.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
31 of 34 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I don't normally review music but this album is by far the best compilation I've heard in years, so here goes. I was instantly amazed by the list of contributors: My Brightest Diamond, Arcade Fire, Conor Oberst, Stuart Murdoch, The National etc. etc., - the most original/influential and exciting musicians around today have all signed up to a truly worthy cause and have put their own twist on some classic compositions (Feeling Good by My Brightest Diamond was a brave choice but they pulled it off) as well as a sprinkling of new delights.
I'm not a massive fan of Jose Gonzalez but, with the fantastic help of The Books they've put together the first decent cover of a Nick Drake song (Cello Song) I've ever heard. My wife is a hard core Drake fan and even she appreciated their stunningly original effort. Now, if only all the artists on here would appear at the same festival - then this monkey will have gone to heaven.
Buy it, this is easily the best value purchase of the year - you might just fall in love with some of these artists and they'll become a welcome addition to the soundtrack of your life (apologies for the terribly cheesy pun but I did warn you I don't normally review music).
I'm not a massive fan of Jose Gonzalez but, with the fantastic help of The Books they've put together the first decent cover of a Nick Drake song (Cello Song) I've ever heard. My wife is a hard core Drake fan and even she appreciated their stunningly original effort. Now, if only all the artists on here would appear at the same festival - then this monkey will have gone to heaven.
Buy it, this is easily the best value purchase of the year - you might just fall in love with some of these artists and they'll become a welcome addition to the soundtrack of your life (apologies for the terribly cheesy pun but I did warn you I don't normally review music).
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I am generally a fan of laid back alternative guitar and soulful vocals. I also tend to steer clear of heavily produced music. I cannot remember where I stumbled across this compilation but it is an absolute gem. It has opened up a new group of artists to add to my collection and it stands on it's own as a quality album. I genuinely value this compilation and I stumbled upon it at a time when I was struggling to find music that was to my taste. I cannot tell you if this is the type of music you will enjoy but I would urge anyone to give this album a try.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I bought this because I'm a big fan of Arcade Fire & The National, so it was worth a shot to hear the new tracks alone.
Other rewards have come on though as it switched me on to other artists I didnt really know: Grizzly Bear, Beirut, Spoon & Riceboy Sleeps. Most imporatntly it has also made me buy the Bon Iver Record, after trying to ignore the Hype for an eternity (It's really good).
However there a fair few songs that didnt do it for me personally, but the good un's made up for it.
Other rewards have come on though as it switched me on to other artists I didnt really know: Grizzly Bear, Beirut, Spoon & Riceboy Sleeps. Most imporatntly it has also made me buy the Bon Iver Record, after trying to ignore the Hype for an eternity (It's really good).
However there a fair few songs that didnt do it for me personally, but the good un's made up for it.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
disappointing
only a couple of tracks caught my attention, I think there is not much variation, I'm fond of a good dirge but this started to sound like white noise after a while.
Published 15 months ago by montaguejo
The Dessner brother's treasure
I've only just bought this album but feel it worth a review, as I came to it having discovered The National through their album High Violet. Read more
Published 17 months ago by KenniPod
Great Compilation
I have been a fan of compilation recordings and after hearing one of the tracks on The Current (Minnesota Public Radio) on the internet, I had a look at the full list of artists... Read more
Published on 24 Oct 2009 by Mr. E. D. Vera
Fantastic compilation
I discovered this by chance following an e-mail from a record shop in Melbourne (Polyester Records) which was raving about it. Read more
Published on 26 Aug 2009 by C. R. W. Baird
Disappointing From Others Recommendations
Over the years I have come to trust to a fair degree Amazon's recommendations - at least to the point of having a look. Read more
Published on 2 Aug 2009 by D. Fox
Simply Stunning Collection of Music.
One of my most recent collections of music, Dark Was The Night, is simple a fantastic collection of music that fits into many moods. Read more
Published on 15 July 2009 by Daniel Smith
10 years on....
The original Red Hot & Blue album covered Cole Porter tracks and got a lot of play in my student household. Read more
Published on 11 Jun 2009 by J. Lonergan
Every so often, you find a little jem!
I came across this album while browsing on Amazon and decided the reviews (and price) were good enough to give it a go. WOW, So glad i did! This is an absolutely fantastic album. Read more
Published on 10 Jun 2009 by R. J. Mitchell
Brilliant!
I own records by many of the bands here and was a little worried these tracks might not live up to some of my favourite album tracks. Read more
Published on 6 Jun 2009 by blodwynswayze
a Compilation like a compilation should be...
Usually I don't like Compilation. i'm not a "Shuffle guy". but this one is just great! except for one hip-hop song all the 30 others are just wonderful.
Published on 12 April 2009 by A. Ben-Zvi
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