SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: VARIOUS ARTISTS – HEARTS & MINDS & CROOKED BEATS: SONGS OF THE CLASH

VARIOUS ARTISTS
HEARTS & MINDS & CROOKED BEATS: SONGS OF THE CLASH
SHARED MEDIUM

The Clash were a hugely influential band, whose music was the soundtrack of social justice in the late ‘70s and ‘80s. Fans look back fondly at the band’s career: the passion of the lyrical content, and the band’s driving melodies, which fused rock ‘n’ roll, punk, folk, reggae, and world rhythms.

Like any great art, the music of the Clash does not exist in a vacuum. It lives on in the artists that it inspires, and in the works that they create. With this in mind, the people at the arts non-profit and production company Shared Medium have released the album of Clash covers, Hearts & Minds & Crooked Beats, due out on February 7^th (International Clash Day). With their mission (in part) to “strengthen and interconnect creative arts communities by producing inclusive, collaboration inspiring, artist community engaging events”, Shared Medium has gifted us with this special ten-song collection, in support of the International Rescue Committee.

Interesting and diverse, this is not your average note-for-note faithful tribute. The creative interpretation of each piece by the various bands is a testament to the strength of the songs, that they can be successfully presented in such different ways. Starting with The Dandy Warhols’ hypnogroove take on “Straight To Hell”, one can tell that creativity is key on this release. The track contains many elements of the original song, but with a warmer, more intimate feel. Also notable is the Montreal-based band TEKE::TEKE’s version of “Bankrobber”, which starts as a choral folk sing-along with vocals in Japanese and English  before it morphs into a rolling march, and tags out as a sonic pop extravaganza.

There are many more high points here, including “Guns of Brixton” from The Rust and The Fury, “I’m Not Down” performed by Mirah, and Seán Barna’s impassioned take on Hitsville, U.K. For the nostalgic listener, The Gotobeds’ version of  “I’m So Bored With the U.S.A.” comes closest to capturing the style, attitude, and energy of The Clash.

Most of Hearts & Minds & Crooked Beats is decidedly more mellow, melodic, and with (often) cleaner production than the original work by The Clash. Are the songs delivered with the same impact and urgency as the originals? They are not. Then again, the artists paying tribute here are simply interpreting the work. As such, they represent a different set of conditions than those which originally spawned these songs. Perhaps the benefits of hindsight and creative exploration have served to illuminate these songs, making their messages clearer.

This collection is full of variety, but it all hangs together very well. Forgive the sacrilege, but some of these cuts are as good as the originals, if not better. At any rate, it is refreshing to hear new life being breathed into these iconic songs, and to know that they are still significant and relevant today. For old-timey Clash fans: give this album a spin! There’s plenty here to enjoy. For the uninitiated, or for neophyte Clash-heads, Hearts & Minds & Crooked Beats has the power to propel you deeper into your love for The Only Band The Matters.

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