Various artists
"Resistance Radio: The Man in the High Castle Album"
(30th Century/Columbia (ASTERISK)(ASTERISK)(ASTERISK){)
The second season of the Amazon drama "The Man in the High Castle" is set in a fictionalized early-1960s America living under the dark cloud of fascist rule after an Axis victory in World War II. "Resistance Radio" takes its name from the pirate station in the show, and this 18-track set produced by Danger Mouse and Sam Cohen features an impressive list of contemporary acts covering pre-British Invasion songs with a typically melancholy living-in-an-oppressive-state bent.
Kicking off with Sharon Van Etten's gorgeous take on Skeeter Davis' "The End of the World," the album, which was recorded in the weeks after the presidential election last year, moves from strength to strength with Beck's tender "Can't Help Falling in Love," Angel Olsen's vengeful "Who's Sorry Now," and Benjamin Booker's stinging "Spoonful." Other contributors reimagining pop, Motown, and country hits of the era, who Danger Mouse presumably has on speed dial, include Norah Jones, Grandaddy, the Shins, Karen O, Michael Kiwanuka, Kelis and Kevin Morby. Cool concept, expertly executed.
_Dan DeLuca
