Dark Was the Night

Aaron and Bryce Dessner, one of the brother pairs that make up the instrumental side of The National, produced Dark Was the Night, a compilation benefiting HIV and AIDS awareness through the Red Hot Organization. The record showcases the songwriting abilities of the bands keeping indie rock interesting (including Beirut, Arcade Fire, and Grizzly Bear) on an expansive list of contributors to this 31-track double album. Nice collaborations from Feist and Ben Gibbard, Dirt Projectors and David Byrne (!) and a Buck 65 remix adding some abstract rhyme flavor to the mix. Our personal favorite is the eerie tital track, featuring unique use of violins by the Kronos Quartet.