Various Artists: CARE for Kosovo: Pitchfork Review

Various Artists
CARE for Kosovo
[EMusic.com]
Rating: 7.8

MP3 is going to change the music industry one way or another. I happen to think that this change will be for the worse, as bands and labels will focus more than ever on "the single," rather than allowing bands the creative freedom to make actual albums. But in the case of Emusic.com's CARE for Kosovo MP3 benefit, there's not a damn thing wrong with MP3-- the proceeds from the sale of these songs go to the aid of Kosovar refugees. This, of course, puts me in a peculiar situation. How can I criticize anything that raises money for charity? I'd just be a bastard if I tried to dissuade you from buying this record. On the other hand, it's not really an issue since it's all good.

MP3 is also going to change record reviews. As much as I hate this method of critique, I'll go through the songs individually since they're all available seperately. But first, allow me to clarify that this is not the benefit with the Korn remix. (If that discourages you, you could stand to re-evaluate your priorities.)

Guided By Voices offer up a demo from their upcoming Big Time Rock record, Do the Collapse. While the demo lacks the Weezer-ish punch of the forthcoming full- length (yes, their new album reminds me of Weezer, thanks to similar production methods served up by Ric Ocasek), it's still a perfect little pop song. When Robert Pollard sets his mind to it, he can make some amazing radio rock. But good radio rock, like the ol' days.

Creeper Lagoon's "The Fountain" sounds more than just a little bit like their debut album. That's to say it's more of the same breezy, loop- injected hammock pop. Creeper Lagoon's true power comes from their ability to knock you over without volume.

Former Archers of Loaf frontman Eric Bachman contributes a stark live song that subtly creeps under your skin. Unlike those thick, noise- spilling Archers' songs he used to write. Luckily, he doesn't seem to have any qualms about showing his softer side.

Perhaps the biggest lure of this benefit, and the track that could singlehandedly rebuild Ethnic Albanian homes on the merit of its sheer beauty alone, is Superchunk's new "Tiny Bombs," taken from their upcoming Jim O'Rourke- produced full- length, Come Pick Me Up. The strange pairing of O'Rourke and 'Chunk pays off in bundles. Little Mac (doesn't he look just like the guy from "Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!"?) croons with an androgynous falsetto over a clean guitar hook. I haven't heard a man sing that high since... well, I gotta go back to Prince's "Kiss" from "Under the Cherry Moon." But McCaughan's raw reaching brings Superchunk to uncharted emotional depths, even if it makes him sound like an elderly, chain- smoking torch singer.

Who could have the gall to put a song called "Fatman, The War Photographer" on a post-war benefit? Why, the horny, eyepatch- wearing British socialist, Momus, of course! Over a kitschy casio base (naturally), Momus gives the most political performance of all. I once had the fortune of meeting Momus, and he spent most of the time filming me with his little digital camcorder. Not many musicians can sing, "My brother dangles on a meathook/ My sister suffers a gangrape" over a keyboard ditty infused with a zither hook. You just can't picture Sarah McLachlan having that chutzpah.

John Doe makes me feel old for 1) knowing who he is, and 2) enjoying his song. "Sueltame" swells with brooding minor chords and mourning keyboards. Other than that, not much can really be said.

Spoon loses major points for reminding me of Bush's Gavin Rossdale singing like he has a pool ball in mouth. Otherwise, this is well- performed, unremarkable pop track with a wandering guitar line and subtle shades of Chapel Hill.

I know nothing of Serum. I spent the entire song trying to figure out the gender of the band's lead singer. Perhaps Little Mac threw my ears off. In some ways, the vocalist sounds like Cat Power's Chan Marshall, and in some regard like Chris Robinson from the Black Crowes. This track is comprised of the kind of generic folk- rock that costs a nickle a bucket in Atlanta. Perhaps all I really need to point out is that the song is called "Tonight," and has a chorus that goes "Tonight, tonight." The gender vote is still out.

The degree of shock in discovering with each passing year that the Fastbacks are still together is completely ineffible. But as long as they keep cranking out chunky, Breeders-ish songs like this, I say, "Go, Fastbacks, go!" This track is the benefit's big rocker. And you gotta have one of those.

Fireside... No, wait. This is the album's big rocker! That Fastbacks track has strings. Real rock doesn't mess around with that orchestral shit. At least, that's what the Swedes would have you believe. When did Sweden figure out how to make better American music than Americans? "The Sun and the Rainfall" completely mimics early '90s post- hardcore bands like Jawbox and Quicksand. This is a beautiful thing. Late '90s improvements like synthy guitar noises, a soaring slide- guitar in the chorus, and more hooks than a Victorian bra beg for your 99 cents. Give it up! It's for charity! The Charity to Save Your Unrocking Ass!

I have a thing for Cat Power. Call it a crush. I used to hang out in Cabbagetown, Atlanta (wazzup ATL? ATL!!) hoping to just "bump" into her. This was before I even heard her music. Ah, her music. Are you ready? 'Cause here comes the most Entertainment Weekly- esque statement I've ever written: "Chan Marshall is the Patsy Cline of Y2K." Blech. Certainly this uninspired writing will fail to win her heart. If Marshall's oscitant, pining vocals don't grab you by the neck and beat you over the head with a frying pan, you need to come live in the beautiful South, my friend.

Well, look at that. 9 out of 11 is Compilation All-Star material. In baseball and rock alike, those kind of numbers just don't usually occur. So, do the ethnic Albanians a favor. In fact, do yourself a favor. Check this mutha out.

-Brent DiCrescenzo