Around The World In 20 Tracks
All the proceeds of this rather curious release go to UNICEF in order to help the children who have been affected by the recent events in South East Asia. Bjorks idea was to invite people across the world to either cover or remix her track "Army of Me" and send it into her website. Musicians were given just one week to submit their efforts. Eventually Bjork received over 600 contributions and this total was whittled down to the 20 found on this release. The sum of 250,000 pounds was targeted to be raised in the first 10 days of release.
So is it any good? And has it any right to be considering the time constraints placed on the acts to come up with the goods. Well, yes and a very small no. The breadth of styles is impressively wide, everything from Metal to Arcade Techno Pop is represented so in that sense it caters for all. But even the most open minded of listeners will begin to tire after the 15th version of the same song.
Interzone (Canada) contribute a grunting metal version that sounds like cattle being
Slaughtered. The Anglo/American collective Messengers of God chip in with a Honky Tonk version. The wonderfully named Dr Syntax 'n' CB Turbo v Rivethead (UK) go down the bizarre path of combining a Rephlex abstract techno groove with the soundtrack of The Wicker Man. Dr. Ginni's (Iceland) sounds like a pervert dribbling over his bon tempo as he pleasures himself. Martin Whites (British) Accordion mix is just that. Hemp (British/Irish/German) offer a slightly creepy acoustic version with a horror film score under current. Bersarinplatz (German) come up trumps with a melodic technoid stomp. Pink Battle Mash Up (Spain) give us a an Electro fusion and Rise And Dawn Of Me show us a great example of the sort of experimental abstract electronic cut up music that's being made in bedrooms across the land.
The highlight though belongs with Tor Bruce of Sweden whose interpretation verges on the demented, turning the angry metal original into a plinky plonk electronic ride that gets ever more wildly out of control as it careers towards its conclusion.
Everyone that was involved in this project, from the artists to the record companies, through to the manufacturers and promotion companies have given their time for free. That makes purchasing a copy pretty much essential. But what is also impressive about this project is that it is inclusive rather than exclusive like most lame charity records that just end up serving the fat egos of those involved and in the process helping them shift a few more units off the back of tragedy.