Alternative NRG
Various artists
Greenpeace Records through Festival
Reviewed by Nick Fredman
The Alternative NRG album had its Australian launch on February 15 at Greenpeace's campaign shed in Sydney, with an energetic acoustic set by Midnight Oil, introduced by Greenpeace's chief executive, Lynette Thorstensen.
Alternative NRG is to benefit Greenpeace's energy and climate campaign, which is demanding real action to cut carbon dioxide emissions, particularly through more efficient use of existing power stations, more resources for solar and wind power and better public transport.
Apart from its fundraising and educational aspects, the project provides a practical example of alternative energy, as it was recorded and mixed using "Cyrus", Greenpeace's mobile solar power generator.
The album features 16 live recordings by a range of artists. Some tracks are rather pedestrian and mainstream, but highlights include the Disposable Heroes' funky and clever "Everyday Life Has Become a Health Risk", UB40's uplifting anti-apartheid anthem "Sing Our Own Song", Yothu Yindi's "Yolynu Boy", L7's in-ya-face "Shitlist", a rollicking version of the Stooges' "Search and Destroy" by EMF, and the slightly bizarre combination of Soundgarden and Queen's Brian May doing the hair-shaking "New Damage".
The lurid design and cut-up writing style of the CD cover I found rather patronising, but on the whole this first effort by Greenpeace Records is highly recommended.