Various Artists - Dark Was The Night (Album)
Put simply, this is the holy grail of compilation albums.
Produced by Aaron and Bryce Dessner from The National, The Red Hot Organisation has released their 20th compilation album in 20 years; and it’s the greatest one I have come across yet.
Containing mostly original tracks, Dark was the Night is a unique double CD of a completely unsurprising level of quality considering the artists that have contributed to it. Bon Iver, Andrew Bird, Sufjan Stevens, My Morning Jacket, Arcade Fire and Kevin Drew are only some of the artists that appear solo, but most satisfying are the collaborations. Feist and Ben Gibbard, Feist and Grizzly Bear, The Kooks with Jose Gonzalez and Conor Oberst and Gillian Welch all create some amazing harmonies that beyond any of that generic easy listening crap we’re used to on compilation albums. It’s full of heartbreaking melodies that make the purpose of this AIDS awareness charity album all the more poignant.
Happiness by Riceboy Sleeps (a side project of Jón Þór Birgisson from Sigur Ros and Alex Somers) is one of the original tracks that have me in awe of what some people are capable of. Pure instrumental, (which I am usually not too a big fan of) it is incredibly haunting and one of the purest pieces of music I have heard this year. Amongst the original tracks hides a cover of Feeling Good by My Brightest Diamond and the title track Dark Was The Night by the Kronos Quartet. MBD do an amazing cover of the 1960’s classic, but the title track left me a little perplexed. As the song was the catalyst for the project I can respect its place on the album, but how it resonated so strongly with both Dessner’s confuses me. However, that remains the only negative thing I have to say about the effort.
Feist and Ben Gibbard’s song Train Song is a dream because in my opinion, they are two of the finest ‘independent’ artists around (I use the term loosely. What does it even mean anymore?). While it may not be as attractive at first listen like some of the other tracks (Bon Iver’s Brackett, W9 for example...but that guy can’t fail can he?) it’s still a fine tune and a favourite. As are Sufjan Stevens' tracks, Feist’s other collaboration with Grizzly Bear, Beirut, Conor Oberst, Kevin Drew, Spoon, Arcade Fire and well...the whole thing is just too damn good! I realise this became a gushing review a while ago but it’s hard to believe this is a charity album. Amazing.
