Benefit: Not Only To A Great Cause But Also To Your Record Collection
Saturday, March 7, 2009 at 2:38PM 
If you're as much of a music-lover as I am, the rare occasions in your life in which you can feel good about the amount of money you spend on iTunes are well, rare. Whenever I hear about a benefit album, I am presented with a dilemma because on the one hand; the humanitarian side of me wants to help the world... but the selfish, and lover-of-good-music side of me really can't spend anymore money on music that doesn't satisfy.
This new War Child: Heroes album is anything but unsatisfactory. The War Child charity works with protecting children in war-torn areas of the world including Congo, Iraq and Uganda. Incorporating a revolutionary idea, this charity asked legendary icons such as Sir Paul McCartney and David Bowie to choose the up-and-coming artists that they wanted to create a new twist on some of their classics; putting faith in the next generation of musicians. This album is such a great listen that each song reminisces of the original tracks and artist while still drawing upon our the sound of our generation's new message of hope. Some highlights of this phenomonal collaborative effort include the covers of The Ramones "Sheena is a Punk-rocker" by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and The Hold Steady's take on Brice Springsteen's classic "Atlantic City". This album is a must-buy for anyone who loves music and well, the world.
To find out more about the cause check out their website: http://www.warchild.org.uk/heroes
benefit albums in New Music 
The crowd at a Modest Mouse show is similar to the type of people you'd see in a Denny's at 3 am. You've got kids far too young to be out that late, teens trying desperately to be cool and look fashionable, the Denny's staff who eternally look pissed off and, of course, the drunkards. Last Tuesday's (2/24) Modest Mouse show (really more of a concert but it just breaks my heart to think of them as a band that plays 'concerts') was no different besides, perhaps, a few more drunkards.
Isaac Brock kept his talking to a minimum, which was nice seeing as how he's an incredible prick. When he did talk between songs he made fun of some guys Smiths shirt. That was better than the last time I saw them, at least, where he told the whole crowd to fuck off before playing "Float On," which, happily enough didn't make the setlist this time around. The song selection consisted of a handful of songs off Good News, The Moon and Antartica, and The Lonesome Crowded West along with a few from We Were Dead and This Is A Long Drive and a relic from Everywhere and His Nasty Parlor Tricks.
The highlight of the night was easily "Talking Shit About a Pretty Sunset." To hear Brock shout the lines, "You were looking kind of anxious in your cross armed stance, like a bad tempered prom queen at a homecoming dance." to a room of thousands of cross armed Hollywood hipsters was the most blissful irony of my life. I was sure to put my hands in my pockets for that part.
"Dance Hall" off Good News For People Who Love Bad News.
Definitely a few of my favorite Los Angeles bands and no strangers to the scene. A fantastic time is promised.
Fellow Trojan and singer/songwriter Alyssa Suede comes into the Live Show on February 27th. Tune in 1-2pm.