We know there’s been a spate of good releases vying for both your time and your downloads lately, but we wanted to point your attention to an album that’s not only full of great music, but also supports a worthy cause.
Excellent New Zealand musician Chris Knox, known mostly for his work with Alec Bathate in Tall Dwarfs suffered a debilitating stroke on June 11. In addition to the physical damage inflicted by the incident, the stroke also left Knox with towering medical bills. Knox was one of the founding fathers of the Kiwipop scene, a scene that also gave us the Chills, the Clean, the Bats, Look Blue Go Purple and the untouchable, outstanding Flying Nun label.
Which brings us to today’s Review of the Day, Stroke: Songs for Chris Knox. Simply put, the album is remarkable, and is a testament to Knox’s incredible influence. The album is a veritable who’s-who of indie rock, featuring performances by Stephin Merritt, Bill Callahan, AC Newman, the Chills, Yo La Tengo, The Mountain Goats, Bonnie “Prince” Billy and Lou Barlow (among others). It also calls out of retirement one of indie rock’s most beloved figures, Neutral Milk Hotel’s Jeff Mangum, who turns in a searing cover of Knox’s “Sign the Dotted Line.” I will admit, hearing Mangum’s voice for the first time on new material since Aeroplane gave me goosebumps.
Beyond all that, all proceeds from Stroke go to Knox’s recovery fund. You can find out more about Chris Knox in Sam Adams’ excellent review of Stroke, or by visiting Knox’s website.
Even for a good cause “they” can’t get past the “not avalable in your country” thing. I’ll see if I can buy it from Chris Knox’s website.
Yes, the “Stroke” comp is fantastic (and, even beyond helping out Chris, anything that gets people listening to his songs is an excellent idea as far as I’m concerned). It’s also worth noting that the Tall Dwarfs song at the end is a new recording, with Chris singing–there are rumors that he and Alec Bathgate are going to be working on a new album together, which would be great.
Kinda ironic that you can’t download this in New Zealand, really.
wow! i didn’t know about Chris’s stroke. I saw him many years ago in a basement of a record store wearing flip flops, shorts and a dagey vest armed with an acoustic guitar and a simple casio drum machine. one of the most captivating and fun gigs i’d been too. really sad news, i hope he pulls through. will be buying the album elsewhere unless you get uk rights?
Not downloadable in Brazil.
You should be compiling “emusic Death Stroke” extra-long-play album, only downloadable in the us. Afterwards comes rebirth as usmusic.
Mr B: Looking at Amazon UK, this comp is listed with a 23 Feb release date, but is labeled an “Import.” Which seems odd. Also not seeing it for sale on any other UK MP3 stores, so maybe it’s not available there yet? Let me see what I can find out about that.
Not seeing it for sale via any other Brazilian/South American MP3 retailers either. Will let you know if I hear differently.