Stroke - Songs for Chris Knox

iTunes Review

Collecting the crème de la crème of American indie-pop (Yo La Tengo, Jeff Mangum, Stephin Merritt, AC Newman, Mountain Goats, the late Jay Reatard, and more) alongside stars of the stellar New Zealand scene that Chris Knox helped sprout decades ago (the Bats, the Chills, the Clean, the Verlaines, Shayne Carter of Straightjacket Fits), Songs for Chris Knox came together in the wake of a devastating stroke suffered by the beloved artist in 2009. With a vast and rich catalog of songs to choose among, each artist covers a Knox tune (many co-written by his Tall Dwarfs partner Alec Bathgate) with their own panache and passion; the love felt for Knox is palpable. Even newer artists like the Mint Chicks and Australia’s Genghis Smith, and popular NZ rock mainstay Jordan Luck turn in moving, faithful renditions of classic Knox songs. Post-stroke, wordless recordings by Knox (“Napping In Lapland” and “Sunday Song”) speak volumes about this very special musician’s incredible range: he excels at both sweet, heart-rending melody and goosebump-raising artistic experimentation. This loving tribute and fundraising effort belongs in every fan’s collection.