Various Acts - '1 Love' (B-Unique)
4/5
By: Toby L
'Baffling' is almost the first thought that springs to mind when viewing the final track-listing for War Child's second charity-LP, '1 Love' - but it's within the pressing of 'play' that all (nearly) makes sense.
1995's 'Help' album was the last time the British public were faced with such an eclectic and paramount level of talent; the likes of Blur, Radiohead, Massive Attack, Suede and Paul McCartney contributed tracks for the same cause, and, this time, for 2002, where the providing of aid to children devastated by war is as relevant as ever, the music is as defiantly essential.
From the inaugural kick-off point of Starsailor undertaking the challenge of recreating The Small Faces' 'All Or Nothing', things are good, the end-result as impacting and moving as the original, frontman James Walsh, in fact, possibly providing his most tortured and engaging vocal-performance to date. Frankie Goes To Hollywood's following 'The Power Of Love' is transformed by Feeder into a dark and quietly stealthy mood-piece, meanwhile, whilst Muse's obliterated, cranked-up 'House Of The Rising Sun' is as darkly thrilling as you could anticipate.
The endeavour fortunately prevents itself from becoming all too indie-schmindie, the ass-shaking groove of Faithless and Dido's take on of 'Dub Be Good To Me', vibrant thrust of The Reelists and Ms Dynamite's 'Back To Life', and Sugababes' surprisingly striking rendition of 'Killer' making up for the stodgy acoustic-rendition of 'Nothing Compares To You' by Stereophonics' Kelly Jones or the inclusion of Noel Gallagher's perplexing cover of Slade's 'Merry Xmas Everybody'.
When it becomes poignant, however, the heart truly aches, with Elbow's 'Something In The Air' as understated and subtly anthemic as could be wished for, Guy Garvey's drawl a natural successor to Thunderclap Newman, and strings-laden 'Out Of Time' by the Manics void of none of its aplomb, partly thanks to a largely live-recording. Even the ensuing Badly Drawn Boy/Jools Holland collaboration of Dexy's Midnight Runners' quintessential 'Come On Eileen' works to a similar effect, Damon Gough clearly relishing the opportunity to skim the high-notes in a fashion only once made excusable to the tawdry bizarreness of Kevin Rowland.
And, who else could tackle the eerie textures, organ and gentle ska of The Specials' 'Ghost Town' than the starkly bold, bass-driving dance-heroes themselves, The Prodigy? A version so faithfully and innovatively interpreted that Terry Hall would be proud, the laughs are reserved for Jimmy Eat World's take on The P's own 'Firestarter', the conversion of the beats-orientated club-smash into an emo-guitar and boyish vocals-enriched ballad, obviously marking a noteworthy twist. Only the hilarities rear themselves again for 'Pop Idol'-star Darius' 'Pretty Flamingo', the close of McAlmont & Butler's 'Back For Good' expectedly fitting.
A record with genuinely compulsive repeat-play potential and enough focussed talent and energy to sell itself, couple the good causes to its association, and you've got a 16-track package that will not only offer seriously valuable aid to foreign shores, but also a collection of songs that shall grant some serious aid to your CD-collection.
Artists in this article: Various Acts
Your Feedback
Login to post your comment