Various Artists - Dark Was the Night

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Jose Gonzalez doing a Nick Drake song: Cello Song. If you buy anything on here make sure you have this one.

Need to be rocked back into the richness of life in all its colors and neutrals? Play this compilation.

Absolutely superb album, studded with some of the more popular names in indie pop. Enjoyed every second of the 15 tracks, the last 16 were generally okay. Opened my eyes to some artists I had paid much attention to earlier like The Books and The National. And iTunes please get the Riceboy Sleeps album when it comes out on July 20th.

What album is the sufjan song You Are the Blood on? anyone?

Go to your local record store, buy the ACTUAL CD, and soak up all the aural and visual effort that went into this beautiful compilation. The packaging in itself is so gorgeous that you'll want to have it lying around for ever. The tracks are extremely eclectic, ranging from quiet folk pop to dystopian-orchestral-tronic-rap. It's like a dear friend made you the best indie mix tape ever. And it's 32 songs long. And it battles AIDS. Seriously. Why the !@#$ are you still reading this? Go! GO!

So many good people/bands on this album and it's one of the worst albums I have ever bought. Did they try to make an album of worst songs ever by good people? If so they succeeded. My only consolation is that at least my money wasn't completely wasted because it went to a good cause but I'd rather just give the money and skip this horrible album next time. Major disappointment.

I really like this CD. I'm 16 and i really haven't heard any of these artists before- i got this cd as a gift. Like i said, i really like the cd, the first cd is like folky music, some pretty cool stuff. The second is more modern. My favorite was the first cd, because it's not like stuff i've heard before. I reccomend it, to all ages !

I'm not the first person to acknowledge this, but high quality DRM-free files or CDs or a triple 180 gram vinyl (with a download coupon) are available for purchase elsewhere.

Cat Power... thank you :)

Superior album. Almost as good as Dark Side of the Moon. Best Track: You Are the Blood by Sufjan Stevens.

the vultures of either itunes or the music industry need to quit the album only crap. i'm going to go steal every "album only" song that i originally intended to BUY; then i'm going to give it away to EVERY SINGLE PERSON i can so that they make no money for it. u should too.

"Knotty Pine" iz pretty good.

You are the blood. That song was delivered from the angels godammit. Buy it. BUY IT.

Oberst, Vernon, Gibbard, and many more all in one place not only for your utmost enjoyment, but for a cause. In fact, I'd pay the price of the whole album if it were the only way to obtain Brackett, WI. Excellent musicians, excellent album.

Amazing! Best songs are Knotty Pine, Train Song, Mimizan, The Giant of Illinois, Etc. Some great artists in here.

is sooo good

The money goes towards AIDS support and you want the freedom to give the music away for free. Don't you see the selfish contradiction there? Anyway, great collection of music and artists. Well done. I recommend you BUY it.

This is one of the best compiltaion CD's to come out with a solid group of songs all the way through. Often on these things you get 2-3 worthwhile songs and a bunch of castoffs. Highlights for me were Andrew Bird, My Morning Jacket, Yo La Tengo, The Books and a great song by The National. I did NOT buy the CD on line and now notice that Beach House is not on the CD AND I can't buy the single track on iTunes. I think Apple would be better served if they offered an explanantion as to why this is. Maybe there's a reasonable explanantion, but none is offered.

Do not buy the whole album. Pick the few good tracks, Conor Oberst, Andrew Bird and Arcade Fire. The rest is dreadful. Cat Power's 'Amazing Grace' is an embarassment. The ten minute Sufjan Stevens track is 8 minutes of unlistenable noise. I was duped by the stunning list of artists and bought the whole deal. What this is, is a compilation of tracks that the artists must have rejected before. Most of these should have been left abandoned in obscurity.

Great album. I agree that the Decemberist track is definitely a big bonus. Big variety here. For everyone complaining about price, what's five dollars either way. It's going to a good cause. If your worried about price than you shouldn't be buying the album.

I was so STOKED when I saw who was on this! But there were uppers and downers. Uppers: The Bon Iver, Beirut, Decemberists, Iron and Wine songs, also the wonderful duets (Feist & Ben Gibbard, Feist n' Grizzly bear, Connor Oberst and Gilian Welch). Downers : Arcade Fire and Sufjan Stevens. I was so excited about them! But they let me down... Anyway good album for a good cause!

I wanted to purchase the entire set but it’s only letting me one at a time?

Love anything with: Arcade Fire, Blonde Redhead, Cat Power, Kevin Drew, Iron & Wine, Feist, and David Byrne. A+

Track 15 off of disc 1, 'You Are the Blood' by Sufjan Stevens is awesome and is actually a cover - check out a band called the Castanets for the original off of their debut album. Track 11 off of disc 2 is actually by a band called Jónsi & Alex (Sigur Ros side project) and is off of their '09 album called 'Riceboy Sleeps', not the other way around. Enjoy!

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One of the best cd's I know. Great studying/reading/homework listening music. All around incredible album that will open you up to many of the artists on the cd.

Such a beautiful album. I bought this mainly for the Sufjan Stevens track, but I was also a fan of Iron & Wine, Bon Iver, and Kronos Quartet before listening to the album. "Dark Was the Night" acts as a gateway to all of the artists who have been missing in my library. Whatever price you pay, wherever you get it... just get it. It's spectacular.

Forgiving one or two, the music in this compilation is fantastic! Absolutely adore Sufjan Stevens' work!

This is mostly unlistenable music. Worth two stars for Decemberists, Ben Gibbard, and maybe Andrew Bird. Might have made a decent EP, but two discs? Nope.

An album that will linger with this decade. A perfect excuse to persuade current talents into baking this delectable array of traditional and original sounds. Sufjan Stevens' 'You are the blood' is a taste of what music is to become: R2D2-ized Rachmaninov.

This album is definatly a great medley of bands and their songs. Usualy when they put different bands together like this i dont perticularly like the entire album but this definatly is an exception. Bravo

I bought this the day it came out because I REALLY wanted the Sufjan and Arcade Fire song. I LOVED the Sufjan song instantly because it was unlike anything he has done before. However, I wasn't that excited about the rest of the album and just put it away. However, about 3 months after the release I picked it up again and fell in LOVE with it. The first disk is by far the strongest as a whole. I though The Book's cover of Cellow Song was solid also both of the Grizzly Bear songs were awesome. Also, I really liked the Yaesayer song. Overall the compliation is mellow but it is full of unusal songs with a lot of offer. Its worth listening too and it might turn you to someone you are not as familiar with. I know it did that with me.

Beirut... need i say more? all amazing artists. If only they had Miike Snow as well, they would of totally fit with this compilation :)

I had to have this album! The Books, Yeasayer, My Brightest Diamond, Feist & Grizzly Bear stole the album.... WHOLE THING MAKES IT WORTH PURCHASING!

When I stumbled upon this album I was shocked that I hadn't already heard of it. It has a line up of amazing artists and it is worth every penny. While the maker's of the album didn't want to focus on one particular theme, the mellow and sometimes folkish melodies of the first disk transition perfectly into the more up beat tracks of the second. It is flawless through and through. I highly recommend purchasing a hard copy of the album which is DRM free and includes cool artwork and a booklet that discusses the inspiration for album.

Sum it up with: A bunch of really great Artists put a bunch of their really worst work on one album... wish I could return this one.

...but most of the songs here are unremarkable. Many are extremely repetitive(The Big Red Machine, You are the Blood, Deep Blue Sea, Cello Song, Lenin). Most of them sound very similar. I don't care much for the echo-ey production either. On the flip side, only a couple are actually annoying. Knotty Pine, Well-Alright, and Happiness fit into this category for me. The rest just sort of pass by me, listen after listen. I've heard great things about a lot of these bands, but many of them just didn't bring anything interesting to the table. If you are looking to buy a few highlights, I would recommend these (in order of importance): Train Song Feeling Good The Giant of Illinois (though this version does not do the song justice. The Daytrotter version moves me to tears every time I hear it. This one feels contrived) Sleepless El Caporal Die Tightrope Nonetheless, at least my money went to help someone, not pad some executive's pocket.

Love this album and the cause

The Giant of Illinois may possibly be the strangest and greatest song I have ever heard. I absolutely love that song!!! Great to fall asleep to as well!!!

The who's who of indie artists

This album was absolutely amazing! I was familiar with a lot of the artists, and the ones I wasn't familiar with absolutely awed me. This is a great album but way too expensive! I bought the actual CD for only $12 at an urban outfitters and other websites have it for only 10....not sure why it's so expensive on iTunes.

There's nothing better than having two or more of your favorite artists team up and make a masterpiece. There are so many of those masterpieces on this album. For "Knotty Pine;" David Byrne's deep low-ranged voice is a great contrast to Dirty Projector's vocalist's high, wide-ranged vocals. Feist also participates in two excellent pairings, first with Death Cab For Cutie's Ben Gibbard, a very strong duet about the troubles of life on the tracks in "Train Song"; second, a very strong vocal contribution to Grizzly Bear's always strong instrumentation on "Service Bell". Cat Power teams up with Dirty Delta Blues for a demonstration of her ability to straddle many different genres as she launches into an impassioned blues rendition of "Amazing Grace." The most stirring colaboration on the album has to be Conor Oberst and Gillian Welch's reimagination of Oberst's own (as Bright Eyes) Lua; turning the lonely plea into a heartfelt duet. If you are looking for a disc where you can hear your favorites team up to create amazing tracks, this is a must buy.

❤️

Reviews are a bit divided on here, but listen for yourself and decide! You can probably stream it somewhere first. I had a borrowed copy a few years ago and liked it ok, but I am much more familiar today with the artists on here than I was then, so I enjoy it more now. Beach House do a surprising cover of the Queen song "Play the Game", which is not a usually covered Queen song (I'm a huge fan of Queen). I think the Beach House song is only on iTunes.

Love this album. Almost three years after its release, it's still in high rotation in my playlist. My only wish is that some of the artists were recognized by Genius so I can make new mixes.

In terms of introducing me to new stuff, this is one of the best compilations I've ever bought. If you know all these bands and have all their stuff already, then clearly don't bother (except "Deep Blue Sea" which I haven't seen on any of GB's albums).

Personal favorite: an essential to any sufjan fan.

I found this when I was looking for fodder to make a new mx tape (ok, cd) for my boyfriend. I had scrawled a list of artists I wanted on there-- Bon Iver, Jose Gonzalez, The National-- people we both really like. Turns out they already all got together and did the work for me! I bought a copy for me, one for him (it's for charity, I'm happy to buy 2) and then emailed another friend to make sure he bought one too. Both discs are great, and the duets add some really nice depth to the whole thing. It's exactly what I was looking for, without even knowing I was looking.

Every song in this album blends excellently together, despite the fact that they are all different and individual artists. I feel like this album is a "secret discovery," something that I've stumbled upon and I am OVERJOYED to have found. I'm thoroughly pleased and I know that anyone who likes one of these songs will like 90% of the rest.

Beautiul compilation with hauting masterpieces all for a very good cause from the people who brought us Red Hot and Blue. Great music by all around. Please ignore those misguided reviewers with their digitals panties in a bunch over DRM. Dear politically correct but short sighted people: The album is for charity. Shopping for bargains means giving less.

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Love all the songs but how can I buy the whole album when there’s no price for it but there are three songs only available if the full album is purchased!

It's rare that a lot of great artists come together and create something wonderful. This album is worth every cent, the sounds that go into this production are beautiful, I highly recommend it.

...has already said it. Superb! Magnifique!

I have gifted this album to people and for myself. I think it's really one of the best compilation albums I've ever purchased. There really isn't a bad song on this album. Highlights: Knotty PIne, Sufjan Stevens, Cat Power, and the National single.

i bought this album and i was very happy with the songs, if you liek indie music this is a great album! There are 33 tracks and its for a good cause! Not to mention the songs are amazing!

A great group of up and coming artists along with the odd veteran, this album will put indie music on the scene. Wait, thats no good! ;)

Not only do you feel better about yourself because you're fighting AIDS, but you'll feel uber cool listening to this collection of the best of "indie" rock. While I rarely invest in the compilation album, this album called to me "from the night"... all puns intended. BUY IT NOW!

This album is full of great artists and musicians who have made a stunning compilation. It is definitely worth buying. It can be a little slow at times but its all worth it (the 2nd cd is a bit more upbeat). Also, its for a good cause, so what more could you ask?

One of the best compilations in recent memory. It's a shame that the Beach House track is exclusive to the iTunes version, I found that out once I bought the CD. Other than that, yeah!

Cette compilation regroupe de très bons artistes qui ont déjà pour la plupart fait leurs preuves. On retrouve ici de très belles mélodies et des arrangements intéressants. Malgré quelques chansons simplistes aux airs folks de guitare et à la voix trainante, il reste que l'ensemble de l'album est très bon. Je rappel aussi à tous qu’il comporte 32 chansons et que les profits sont tous remis à Red Hot Organization, une organisation internationale amassant des fonds pour la prévention du VIH. Bravo.

If you ignore the negative reviews listed, for obvious reasons (Folk has no where to go... ) and just listen to the music you won't be disappointed. This is a great line up of the most popular indy bands out there. I'm not sure the Decemberists have ever written a bad song nor Sufjan Stevens (there is that folk music stuff again) for that matter. The song by the Blonde Redheads is incredibly melodic, I just love listening to Kazu sing. Cat Power's and Andrew Bird songs are superior to most. Arcade Fire has come up with an excellent song and I absolutely love the tune by My Morning Jacket. For me this was a no brainer. 32 indy songs by fabulous bands and helping out a fine cause as well. Go for it, you won't be disapponted.

You'll like this. a lot. Bon Iver is worth the price of admission. [p.s. eMusic has high quality files of this album - 256 kbps]

That Daniel Swenson reviewer sounds like some crazy hippie. Anyway. Most of these songs are folk, and folk is a genre that was old a hundred years ago. Why is it suddenly getting so popular again? There's nowhere to go with it people! I was highly disappointed by this compilation. A lot of my favorite artists churned out middling, unmemorable pieces of dreck and I was hugely let down. The only two songs that even approach listenability are the ones by The Decemberists and The National. The rest are terrible. Do not recommend.

Not only are you contributung to a worthy cause, but this a beautiful collection of music that delights the senses. And...32 songs! This is a win-win-win situation.

I thought iTunes was done with 128 kbps files and DRM. But that's what they're selling for this album. I just wish I'd noticed when I clicked "Buy."

A wonderment of worthy creativity from renowned bands and artists. A contribution of an amazing tributary of sound that is at once familiar and unique. It's for a worthy cause. Like many 4AD compilations, this one should stay with us for a long time, just like 'It'll end in tears'. 'Dark was the night' is moody, tetchy, twangy, soulful gut-wretching folky pithy blues. It follows the 'river's course' that 4AD have brought us for the past 15 years: a river where you want to be taken to and dropped in.

Great album, it's got all the greats, Ben Gibbard, Fiest, Iron & Wine, Beirut & especially David Byrne. Can't Beat it...

So many top indie acts my faves include: David Byrne (talking heads) Ben Gibbard (Death Cab...) and Feist, Bon Iver (Fans of Indie Folk- Big album last year), Grizzly Bear (phschedeliac folk), The National ( fans of Coldplay - Check Boxer by them!!!), Yeasayer (Fans of MGMT), Iron & Wine (OMG he was in the Twilight soundtrack!!!), Sufjan Stevens (uplifting, melodic brilliant pop, check the sample of chicago if unsure), Spoon (Like the national mixed with Pearl Jam), Arcade Fire/ My Morning Jacket (Amazing bands- if you like neil young, springsteen, classic rock, these guys will be classic rock), Cat Power (Breathtaking Voice and style), Conor Oberst ( Bright Eyes). This is an amazing compilation well worth it!!!

Usually I'm wary of compilations featuring new material - generally it's the sort of stuff that wouldn't make the cut of any artist's album. It's the absolute opposite here. A stunning collection of winners. Highlights: The Books, Grizzly Beara, My Brightest Diamond, Antony & Bryce Dessner, Sufjan Stevens... I could keep on. Simply: I can't recommend this one enough.

Truly extraordinary!

What a fantastic collection from some of the best indie bands/artists working today, definitely worth the price. My favourites are: Knotty Pine, Cello Song, Train Song, So Far Around the Bend, Die, Mimizan, Lenin, Lua and Gentle Hour. My absolute favourite, however, is Andrew Bird's cover of The Giant of Illinois; hauntingly beautiful.

This compilation has a great selection of tracks from top-form bands like The Deecemberists or The Arcade Fire as well as some good folk from Feist and others. The cash goes towards the fight against HIV/AIDS and make sure you buy the whole album for that lengendary 10 minute jam from Sufjan Stevens.

One of the best I've heard -- better than the OC compilations.

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Top drawer. Takes a couple of listens to get into in places, but you get there. Standouts for me are The Giant of Illinois and the genius of Sufjan Stevens. The LP is a showcase too; buy the compilation, delve further into the back catalogue of artists you had never gotten familiar with.

Just flicked through this and decided it would be criminal not to get it. Stand out tracks....all of 'em as far as i can tell! Superb

Look and learn War Child, this is how you do a charity album. Infinitely better than there Heroes album with great contributions from Arcade Fire, Beirut and The National to highlight but a few of the many gems on here. Buy!

Brilliant album full of tracks from an awesome selection of musicians. You're So Far Around The Bend has to be a favourite.

Stand Out Track : 10...listen to Antony's voice....it just shows how underated his voice is....a pure artist.....genius!!!!

Superb... a simply splendid album...so much talent is one place is a rare gift. Thanx

Ok you may be wondering If this album is worth it, an yes it is. I originally bought this due to the tracks by Bon Iver, Beirut and Arcade Fire, but have discovered some new favourite bands and tracks like the dirty projectors or grizzly bear! Only after purchasing I realised the album was a charity album which I thought was brilliant. Yet another reason to buy this. This is not some poorly created compilation for charity, this includes exclusive tracks with some of the best recordings I have ever heard!

make no mistake, this is the kind of CD that will appear when it comes round to handing out the gongs. all of the tracks are spectacular the weakest probably down to the unadventurous Conor Oberst who simply covers Lua. aside from that though, amazing..

why is there no mention by i-tunes of the good cause this album supports?????

OK so this isnt the best album ever made, far from it, there are some very dull and th ocasional awful track, but WHO CARES??? This is a fairly decent album with some fantastic songs in it and its all for charity. oh yeah and for once we are not being ripped off by iTunes 33 songs for under £10!!!

The inspiration and delivery of this extraordinary mix tape make it a modern classic. A fantastic selection of tracks - 'There will be blood' is by far the best track, a haunting reminder of our troubled times, a definite Must-Have!

I listened to a few of the 33 songs on here and I had to Have this Album. Alternative and gripping.Great album

What an amazing album, full of great songs by great artists. This is for a great cause so I think everyone should buy this album (:

Some cracking tracks on here but the stand out for me is So Far Around The Bend by The National. They are the best kept secret ever and should by rights be headlining the likes of Glastonbury. If you like that check out Fake Empire, All The Wine and Mr November.

...and made a mix cd of every band and artist i ever loved! this is simply fantastic and it's for a good cause.

This album is a fantastic collection of beautiful songs. I'd heard most of the artists on this album for the first time and I have subsequently developed a liking for many of them, great for finding something new. And of course it has all been compiled for a good cause; to raise awareness of the importance of AIDS. I think everyone who enjoys Indie Singer/Songwriters should have this album as, I believe, it is an important compilation of today's independent music.

It's not clear from the iTunes listing but this is a total of thirty-two exclusive tracks which have been recorded for this compilation with profits going to the Red Hot Organization - an international charity dedicated to raising funds and awareness for HIV and AIDS. The Sufjan Stevens cover of The Castanet's 'You Are The Blood' is, inho, the standout track. Great album, great cause.

Ben Gibbard and Feist on one track? That's a guaranteed winner. But so many fantastic artists on here. Get it even if it wasnt for such a good cause

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