Search - Various Artists, Jay Reatard, Yo La Tengo :: Stroke: Songs for Chris Knox

Becoming Something Other

Stargrazer | deep in the heart of Michigan | 03/12/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Chris Knox suffered a stroke in summer of 2009. By February of 2010, friends, family and admirers had assembled "Stroke," a collection of covers from his wide pool of songs. As a member of Tall Dwarves with Alec Bathgate, Knox was instrumental in bringing alternative music to New Zealand in in turn, exporting New Zealand's sounds to the rest of the world.



The collection boasts some nuggets for the fanatical, like a track from the recently deceased Jay Reatard and also one from the hermetic Jeff Mangum, an old school synth pop song from Stephin Merritt recorded in the late 1980s, pieces from perennial favorites like Yo La Tengo, Bill Callahan, The Mountain Goats, Bonnie Prince Billy, and Lou Barlow, and a slew of work from fellow New Zealanders. The sheer scope (2 discs!) and breadth (everyone from The Chills to A.C. Newman) of "Stroke" is a testimony to Knox's stature, relevance, and to the devotion he inspires in fans and fellow musicians.



"Stroke" is a solid investment, musically. But more importantly than that, it celebrates a hard-working and talented songwriter and brings him and his family much-needed help in a time of need. Knox himself even makes some post-stroke appearances on wordless vocals on the last two songs -- evidence that he is in no way finished with music. There is a lot here for the casual indie fan and the supporter of Knox alike."