// 2007 Bridging the Distance - a Portland OR covers compilation -

// massmirror
// password: spaceisland.blogspot.com

from pitchfork media

If you love covers, irony, and good causes, boy does the Arena Rock Recording Co. have a hat trick for you! The Portland-based label with the ironic name serves up Bridging the Distance: A Portland, OR Covers Compilation on April 17.

The title don't lie: this 19-track monster collects 19 Portland-associated artists bridging the distance between the past and present with eyebrow-raising covers, all to benefit p:ear, which helps homeless and transitional youths bridge financial and class distances through its mentorship programs. Also, Portland has a lot of bridges! We're talking layers upon layers of profound meaning here, people!

Plenty of your Rose City favorites have signed on for this one, including the Decemberists, who take on Fleetwood Mac's "Think About Me", the Thermals, who do Led Zeppelin's "Tangerine", and Britt Daniel, who closes out the comp with a rendition of Sam Cooke's "Bring It on Home to Me".

Other highlights include the Joggers committing their live-favorite Yes cover to tape, Death Cab for Cutie's Christopher Walla giving us nothing but Johnny Hates Jazz's "Shattered Dreams", and the Dandy Warhols re-investigating the Cult. Toss in even more covers by Talkdemonic, Viva Voce, the Minus 5, and the Minders, and you've got one hell of a blue light special.

Basically, Bridging the Distance should appease id, ego, and superego alike.

01 The Decemberists - "Think About Me" [Fleetwood Mac]
02 Pat MacDonald - "The Harder They Come" [Jimmy Cliff]
03 The Joggers - "Long Distance Runaround" [Yes]
04 The Snuggle Ups - "Dancing in the Dark" [Bruce Springsteen]
05 The Thermals - "Tangerine" [Led Zeppelin]
06 Christopher Walla - "Shattered Dreams" [Johnny Hates Jazz]
07 Viva Voce - "Eye in the Sky" [The Alan Parsons Project]
08 The Minus 5 - "That Smell" [Lynyrd Skynyrd]
09 Talkdemonic - "Sombre Reptiles" [Brian Eno]
10 The Minders - "Don't Bring Me Down" [Electric Light Orchestra]
11 The Kingdom - "Sister Christian" [Night Ranger]
12 Lackthereof - "What a Fool Believes" [The Doobie Brothers]
13 Whip - "White Wedding" [Billy Idol]
14 Wet Confetti - "Invincible" [Pat Benatar]
15 The Dandy Warhols - "She Sells Sanctuary" [The Cult]
16 Point Juncture, WA - "Pearl of the Quarter" [Steely Dan]
17 Blitzen Trapper - "Crazy on You" [Heart]
18 Crosstide - "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding?" [Elvis Costello]
19 Britt Daniel - "Bring It on Home to Me" [Sam Cooke]