Who's Not Forgotten: FDR's Tribute to the Who is a tribute album that has two things going for it; a very strong lineup of modern-day power pop artists, and a wide-ranging approach that sees songs from
the Who's entire career covered. From "My Generation" and "The Kids Are Alright," all the way to "Athena," from the band's last full-length album to date,
It's Hard, the bands on
Who's Not Forgotten offer up very faithful covers. The best tracks are turned in by the biggest names on the collection --
the Bigger Lovers "Glow Girl," the
Photon Band's and
Guided by Voices' impressive live take of "Baba O'Riley" -- although some of the less well-known acts, like
the Lolas ("The Kids Are Alright"), Chris Richards ("Mary Anne With the Shaky Hands") and
Taggart ("Pictures of Lily") do a nice job. The only songs that take liberties with the originals are at the very end of the disc: The Contractions' awful destruction of "My Generation," and Glowfriends' quite pretty take on "I Can't Explain," which takes the song into
Mazzy Star territory. Apart from those two songs, the tribute is sure to appeal to
Who fans, and fans of modern-day power pop. (Proceeds of the sales of the disc go to H.E.A.R.; a non-profit group dedicated to fighting hearing loss. So when you buy the disc make sure you don't play it too loud.) ~ Tim Sendra