Various Artists – We Were So Turned On: A Tribute to David Bowie

We Were So Turned On: A Tribute to David Bowie features reinterpretations of Bowie’s hits and obscurities by some of today’s top indie, electro and underground acts. With proceeds going to War Child, a charity that helps children adversely affected by war around the world, We Were So Turned On includes everything from club-like electronica to coffee shop acoustic folk, which is fitting considering that Bowie’s own catalogue runs the same gamut.

From Exitmusic’s breathy, ethereal take on “Space Oddity” and All Leather’s aggressive electro version of “Fame” to Warpaint’s rendition of “Ashes to Ashes” and Jessica 6’s cover of “I’m Deranged” (both pretty loyal to the originals), this tribute shows just how diverse Bowie’s influence has been. Keren Ann’s string quartet-like arrangement on “Life on Mars?” is intriguing while Rainbow Arcadia’s Siouxsie-like sound on “Quicksand” is reminiscent of Bowie’s influence on goth rock. And to top it all off, Duran Duran turns in an appropriately decadent performance of “Boys Keep Swinging,” a tongue-in-cheek testament to the benefits of being a man in a male-dominated society.

Various Artists
We Were So Turned On: A Tribute to David Bowie
[Manimal Vinyl]