Independents Day: ID08/Various
A compilation to promote independent music, it thus seems odd to only have it available in shops from July 4-7.
Eccentricities aside, the first CD of big name covers is the usual mixed bag.
The Prodigy kill Ghost Town. Rodrigo Y Gabriela send Metallica into tapas bar hell. The Futureheads are unusually ham-fisted for Every Heartbeat. Jose Gonzalez and Devendra Banhart serve no purpose covering Joy Division or Oasis.
Inevitably, it's the acts tackling more obscure songs who fare best.
British Sea Power majestically glide through Galaxie 500's Tug Boat. Tom Smith is heartbreaking on Prefab's Bonny. Maximo Park are both respectful and gleeful for Go-Betweens' I Can Do.
Superior B-sides fare, then, with added interest in the second CD of new acts like A Human and Cougar recommend by their famous peers on CD1. 6/10