Raise Hope for Congo

iTunes Review

This compilation was assembled to help raise awareness for the women and children affected by over a decade of violence in the ongoing conflict of the Congo — especially the Eastern Congo where sexual violence against women and girls is a widespread tragedy. The overall feel is one of melancholic beauty beginning with Damien Rice’s “Lonely Soldier,” an acoustic-based folk song with gripping lyrics that sing of a female war casualty. Norah Jones contributes “World of Trouble,” a twangy piano-based balled that sounds inspired by Linda Ronstadt’s canyon-filtered country-rock from the ‘70s. Sheryl Crow reads “My Name Is Mwamaroyi,” the true account of a Congo woman whose womb was destroyed by repeated rapes. Probably the most beautiful offering here is Bat for Lashes’ “Sleep Alone,” a gauzy post-shoegaze composition punctuated by a comforting mantra of pillowy beats. Britpop veterans Travis come out of the woodwork with “Before You Were Young (Live from Joe’s Pub In New York City),” a stunning serenade that plays on the heartstrings. Even Mos Def delivers a sweet a cappella version of the politically charged “Priority.”