Various Artists
Songs for Tibet: The Art of Peace (The Art of Peace Foundation)
In the midst of the Beijing Olympics comes Songs for Tibet: The Art of Peace, a double album that strives to call attention to why China might not be the most appropriate place in the world to celebrate solidarity. The compilation--featuring original compositions, acoustically driven remixes and live performances of previously released tracks--benefits peace initiatives and Tibetan cultural preservation projects important to the Dalai Lama.
Twenty artists contributed their voices to the project, and as talented as the group is, there's something tired about the assemblage. The last time Tibet occupied such a central space in our cultural consciousness was, perhaps, the mid-'90s, so maybe it makes sense that most of the artists here reached peak popularity in 1998.
The exceptions are Regina Spektor (doing a stripped "Better"), who didn't break big till the Strokes took her on tour; Imogen Heap ("Hide and Seek 2"), who climaxed post-Garden State; and Jackson Browne ("Alive in the World") and Joan Armatrading ("In These Times"), who haven't been popular since the '70s.
Still, it's nice someone thinks Jonatha Brooke, Dave Matthews, Garbage, Duncan Sheik, Ben Harper and Moby command enough of a contemporary following to elicit attention and sufficient proceeds to make an impact. (No insult intended; I tolerate, even admire, most of the aforementioned--I just question others' devotion to 'em.)
If it's possible to separate the music from the movement, Songs for Tibet is merely a bearable soundtrack for peace with a few standout songs. But it's impossible to parse what we're listening to from where our dollars are going. In this vein, Songs for Tibet is a minor triumph. It's becoming increasingly difficult to disconnect consumption from social change--just look toward Whole Foods, (Product) Red, hybrid cars and Live8.
But are we really revolutionizing a thing by buying this, or any benefit album? No. It's a compromise--a well-meaning gesture that makes us feel better for our comfort, our concern, our empty proclamations and our ultimate inertia in the face of enduring injustice.
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1. Freemuse said... on Aug 20, 2008 at 11:19AM
“Tibetan musicians arrested and 'effectively silenced' Since March 2008, the Tibetan singers Drolmakyi and Jamyang Kyi, the musician Lhundrup, as well as four other celebrities have been arrested and held in custody without charges by the Chinese authorities, reported Los Angeles Times. http://www.freemuse.org/sw28531.asp”