Save Darfur With John Lennon Covers.

Like a lot of benefit/tribute albums with various artists, this had a chance to suck, but really doesn't.

Sure, there are hits and misses, but the good and even mediocre tracks outweigh the bad here, making this a decent pickup.

Obviously, this is just one listener's opinion. Preview on iTunes here for 34 track version and here for 23 track version. Note that the 23-track version is the one available in most stores, and the 34 track seems to be an iTunes exclusive extended version? Guess that makes up for not getting liner notes?

This will focus on the storebought, 23-track version.

The Good:

The Postal Service - "Grow Old With Me" - Easily the best thing here.
Snow Patrol - "Isolation"
Jack Johnson - "Imagine"
R.E.M. - "#9 Dream" (with Bill Berry on drums!)
Green Day - "Working Class Hero"
Jackson Browne - "Oh, My Love"
Youssou N'Dour - "Jealous Again"
The Flaming Lips - "(Just Like) Starting Over"
Regina Spektor - "Real Love"
Jack's Mannequin w/Mick Fleetwood (?) - "God"

I was afraid, but this is pretty solid. I just wish they'd left "God" untouched. Something about covering what is probably Lennon's most intensely personal song just doesn't sit right.

The "Meh" (can take or leave these):

Matisyahu - "Watching The Wheels"
U2 - "Instant Karma"
Lenny Kravitz - "Cold Turkey" - This track sounds exactly like you think it will.
Corinne Bailey Rae - "I'm Losing You"
Jakob Dylan/Dhani Harrison - "Gimme Some Truth"
Ben Harper - "Beautiful Boy"
Jaguares - "Gimme Some Truth" - more faithful than the other, but Pearl Jam's cover is better. It's not here.

The Bad:

Avril Lavigne - "Imagine" - This should speak for itself.
Aerosmith + Sierra Leone Refugee All-Stars(?!?!) - "Give Peace A Chance" - Putrid, shockingly horrid tripe.
Los Lonely Boys - "Whatever Gets You Through The Night" - I just hate this milquetoast, shithouse band.
Big & Rich - "Nobody Told Me" - OMG.
Black Eyed Peas - "Power To The People" - Gag.

Really not a bad collection at all, and quite diverse. I can't say how often I'll spin this, but it's fine.