by Dan Goldin (@post_trash_)
On a list of great ideas, a charity compilation to benefit RAICES comprised entirely of Neil Young covers, is up toward the top. It’s great in theory and turns out it’s great in actuality too. Compiled by Yeehaw Junction’s Shayla Riggs, the compilation, Look Out For My Love: A Neil Young Covers Album to Benefit RAICES is built on their idea that:
“At the core of Neil Young's catalog is the belief that art has the power to transform the world around us: whether he is speaking truth to power, highlighting the injustices he sees in our society, or using his platform to elevate the voices of those who are not as fortunate as himself, Young has come to signify a certain kind of relentless optimism in the face of a very harsh reality.
Right now, we sorely need this sort of optimism. The Trump administration's commitment to denigrating, brutalizing, and criminalizing immigrants has reached a fever pitch with the family separation policy. Although the practice of family separation has reportedly been halted, there are still thousands of children that have been lost by DHA and thousands of children who have reported being sexually abused in immigration detention. The families who have been the subject of this zero-tolerance policy have been subject to profound traumas and often have few support systems with which to begin to heal and seek justice for the harm which has been done.”
The record, which features halfsour, Anna McClellan, Rick Rude, Adult Mom, Wren Kitz, and more takes a varied approach in its Neil Young appreciation, with songs ranging from faithful covers to complete re-imaginings. On the traditional end, Rick Rude and halfsour really shine with the essence of their originals. Taking on “Words (Between The Lines of Age),” halfsour kick the doors open with a fantastic cover of the song; big, twangy, and blistering enough to make Mr. Young proud. There’s lots of relentless shredding, as the good lord of rock music intended. Rick Rude’s cover of “Everyone Knows This Is Nowhere” is similarly packed with ringing guitars and enormous solos, ripped straight from the soul of Young and Crazy Horse’s brilliant debut.
Anna McClellan, one of our favorite songwriters, plays a pretty radiant and close to home version of “Out On The Weekend,” opting to replace the harmonica with a bit of synth, but otherwise letting Young’s words and her voice do all the heavy lifting. These covers may not stray too far but they remain a true must listen. Equally beautiful are the acoustic offerings from Shy Violet on “Heart of Gold” and Adult Mom on the reflective “Harvest Moon.”
On the other end of the spectrum, plenty of bands have adapted the source material closer to their own music. Yeehaw Junction offer a gorgeous synth pop rendition of “Only Love Can Break Your Heart,” while Lung add some wistful sludge and atmospheric harmonies on “Don’t Let It Bring You Down.” Bunny Boy’s cover of “Philadelphia” sounds both familiar and alien with a lo-fi and experimental bedroom take on the song, that feels warped in its delivery. Pressed Orchid and Bluffs both create covers that veer into electronic territory, from ambient exploration to abrasive and detached noise pop.
The record ends with Wren Kitz’s reformation of the classic “Cortez The Killer,” still brimming with distortion but dragged in tempo and harsher in it’s discordance. It’s another incredible reminder that great source material will forever sound great, leaving room for artistic freedom without losing an ounce of the original’s majestic nature.
There’s so much to enjoy about this compilation, it’s nearly overwhelming in it’s greatness. Download yourself a copy and donate as much as you can to RAICES, as worthwhile a cause as they come.