DARK WAS THE NIGHT

Going to start catching up on reviews and such-like tomorrow, but I just received this press release that contains VERY EXCITING NEWS:

DARK WAS THE NIGHT
(A Red Hot compilation)
full artist list + release date confirmed
album cover finalised


On the occasion of WORLD AIDS DAY today, December 1st, we are very pleased to
announce the official release date, complete list of participating artists and cover art
for the upcoming 4AD release Dark Was The Night.

Dark Was The Night will be released on February 16th, 2009 (17th in US). Aaron and Bryce Dessner of The National produced the album, and John Carlin, the founder of the Red Hot
Organization was the executive producer. A total of 32 exclusive tracks have been
recorded for the compilation. It will be available as a double cd/triple vinyl/download
and will benefit the Red Hot Organization - an international charity dedicated to raising
funds and awareness for HIV and AIDS. Red Hot was founded on the premise that even
without a cure, AIDS remains a preventable disease – and music is a great vehicle to
raise money and awareness for it.


This is the 20th year of Red Hot, and this is the 20th release!


The complete list of artists (in alphabetical order) that recorded tracks for this release is:


Andrew Bird
Antony + Bryce Dessner
Arcade Fire (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
Beach House
Beirut
Blonde Redhead + Devastations
Bon Iver
Bon Iver & Aaron Dessner
The Books featuring Jose Gonzalez
Buck 65 Remix (featuring Sufjan Stevens
and Serengeti)
Cat Power and Dirty Delta Blues
The Decemberists
Dirty Projectors + David Byrne
Kevin Drew
Feist + Ben Gibbard
Grizzly Bear
Grizzly Bear + Feist
Iron & Wine
Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings
Kronos Quartet
Stuart Murdoch
My Brightest Diamond
My Morning Jacket
The National
The New Pornographers
Conor Oberst & Gillian Welch
Riceboy Sleeps
Dave Sitek (TV On The Radio)
Spoon
Sufjan Stevens
Yeasayer
Yo La Tengo

Oh. My. God. New songs by Sufjan Stevens, the New Pornos, The National, Grizzly Bear, Feist, The Decemberists, Bon Iver, Beach House, Beirut and Andrew Bird already make this the definition of an essential purchase, but a brand new track from ARCADE FIRE?!?!?!?!?!??!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!??!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!??!!??!?? *hyperventilates and faints at desk* And plus it's all for charity, so you get both a mind-blowing collection of music and an opportunity to help people who need it the most. ULTIMATE WIN.