Synthesis Weekly Reviews: War Child Presents: Heroes

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War Child Presents: Heroes
Astralwerks

War Child, a group designed to help war-affected children worldwide, has conceived a very unique approach to a cover album with Heroes. They asked 16 different legendary artists (Springsteen, Bowie, McCartney, etc.) to choose a song from their catalogue to be covered, and then also nominate the artist to cover it. Obviously, the results vary dramatically, as does the level of re-interpretation, but the album in general tends to reflect back nicely on the original artists. One might not associate the similarities of Bob Dylan and Beck, or Brian Wilson and Rufus Wainwright, but after Beck’s take on “Leopard Skin Pillbox Hat” and Wainwright’s medley born from Wilson’s Smile, you’d think otherwise. Two of the more provocative remakes though, come from Lily Allen on The Clash’s “Straight to Hell” and Elbow’s emotional outpouring on U2′s “Running to Stand Still.”
Dustin Bennett

Tags: Beck, bob dylan, Brian wilson, clash, Elbow, Hell, Heroes, legendary artists, Lily Allen, medley, outpouring, remakes, Rufus Wainwright, smile, u2, war child