Boz For Oz - Boz For Oz

Boz For Oz – Boz For Oz

We all know what’s been happening down under. For getting on for six months, Australia’s bush has been burning.

People have died, thousands of homes have been destroyed, the sky has been turned toxic and wildlife has been devastated.

This is what the World Wildlife Fund has to say: “More than 10 million hectares have been burnt, and this number continues to climb. That’s the equivalent of 40% of the entire UK. Lives, homes, and an estimated 1.25 billion animals have been affected, including 30% of the entire koala population in the mid-north coast of New South Wales. These catastrophic megafires are worsening the extinction crisis we’re already facing.”

This information is already out of date. It’s much worse than that.

The Bandcamp page has more up-to-date figures than the WWF: “BOZ FOR OZ is a Boston, MA-based charity compilation for the Australian wildfires of 2019/2020. These wildfires, caused by extreme drought, have absolutely devastated the continent of Australia, destroying roughly 14.7 million acres of land. Nearly 3,000 firefighters have given their life fighting these brush fires, and several species face near-extinction as a result of the devastation.”

People still debate the science of climate change. Whether you think Mankind is responsible for systematically destroying our natural and unnatural habitats or not, even if you don’t think humans have caused this unprecedented drought, why anyone wouldn’t want to create better environments for the World’s fauna and flora is beyond me. Probably a money thing. But who would dispute the fact that millions of people have been touched by this catastrophe? Certainly not the music community of Boston Massachusetts, some 17,000km from Australia. They’ve come together to do their bit for Oz, proving that all musicians are awesome.

Some of the artists covered are AC/DC, INXS, Hiatus Kaiyote, Savage Garden, The Birthday Party, Kylie Minogue and many more. You may even be surprised at how many Oz artists there are! Proceeds will be donated directly to Australia Wildfire Direct Relief.

This album is a lot of fun and all the artists covered have strong links to our Antipodean brethren. I had a blast listening through these new interpretations of old songs. For me, the standout tracks were The Difference Engine’s version of Who Can It Be Now because it kicks bottoms and Tyler Kent’s version of Triosk’s Visions IV because it is all Sticky and I am completely biased. But you need to buy this and pick your own favourites.

Whether you like alternative music, metal, neo-soul, punk rock, indie rock or even progressive rock, you are bound to find a track that you like. JUST BUY IT!

TRACK LISTING
01. Rampikes – Big Balls (2:45)
02. Thom Griffin feat. Josh Platman – Can’t Get You Out Of My Head (4:01)
03. FBGM – I’ve Gotta Get A Message To You (3:26)
04. Bears For Years – Sleep Drifter (4:40)
05. Fatigue – Bury Me Deep In Love (5:14)
06. Downcity Armory – I Want You (3:56)
07. The Difference Engine – Who Can It Be Now? (3:25)
08. ThornBrain – Mr. Clarinet (3:53)
09. Bobbo Byrne – To Her Door (3:45)
10. James T. Connolly – Hold Me Closer (3:34)
11. Jonathan Sasor – Elephant (3:35)
12. smell featuring Jessi Milch – Nakamarra (5:43)
13. Fifth Business – Never Too Late (1:51)
14. Jason Halogen – Need You Tonight (2:59)
15. John Tyler Kent – Visions IV (4:10)
16. Captain Martini & the Key Stoners – Fuckwit City (3:13)
17. Morning Maniac Music – ! (The Song Formerly Known As) (3:36)
18. Nau-Zee-auN – Nature 10 (3:32)
19. The Wrong Chaneys – Spicks & Specks (3:35)
20. mynameisblueskye – They Don’t Want Your Corn, They Want Your Kids (3:35)
21. The Several States – Bittersweet (3:52)
22. The Several States – Everything’s On Fire (4:27)
23. Clamb – The Fourth Colour (3:49)
24. Kid Taco – Can’t Get You Out Of My Head (4:08)

Total Time – 91:52

MUSICIANS
Too many to mention…

ADDITIONAL INFO
Record Label: Independent
Country of Origin: U.S.A.
Date of Release: 14th February 2020

LINKS
Australia Wildfire Relief – Website | Facebook | Twitter