War Child Presents Heroes, Vol. 1

About as fun and interesting an album as one could hope for considering the overall subject matter of the project (War Child is a charitable organization that provides relief to children suffering in conflict stricken regions around the globe), WAR CHILD PRESENTS HEROES pairs rock icons with current artists covering classic songs from the former's catalogs. The results are an understandably mixed bag, yet consistently enjoyable. The Scissor Sisters' clubby synth-pop take on Roxy Music's "Do the Strand" is utterly delightful; the Hold Steady tackle Bruce Springsteen's "Atlantic City" with a subtlety not often associated with them; the Yeah Yeah Yeahs offer an appropriately giddy take on "Sheena is a Punk Rocker"; and TV on the Radio deliver perhaps the most radical and inspired reworking of the set with its version of Bowie's title anthem. An interesting concept done for an undeniably good cause, WAR CHILD PRESENTS HEROES has much to appreciate on numerous levels.