Tribute albums typically aren't well-received. The target market is fans of the original versions, so covering them is like trying to hook up with your best friend's ex. You've heard how great it is and you want a piece, but you both know she's comparing you to him the whole time. \nWith a smorgasbord of artists from giants such as U2, Green Day and R.E.M to fresh faces like Matisyahu, Avril Lavigne and Regina Spektor there's something for everyone. \nIU rock music professor Andy Hollinden put it best when he said, "If this album helps the people of Darfur, great. And if it also sends some people toward the John Lennon albums all the better, but I think anybody who just relies on this album is doing themselves a disservice." As he listened to Avril Lavigne's painful rendition of "Imagine," he said, "I love a lot of these songs, I don't love a lot of these artists."\n--Zack Teibloom
Here's the four best and worst songs:\nImagine that: 4 songs Paul McCartney wishes he could say he co-wrote.\nRegina Spektor: "Real Love" Her lovely voice and distinct syllable inflections put a wonderfully touching stamp on a song John never got to record at optimum quality.\nBen Harper: "Beautiful Boy" This tender, loving tribute by Harper is beautiful, but you have to wonder why Sean Lennon didn't take a crack at the song written about him.\nFlaming Lips: "Just Like Starting Over" It sounds like a typical Lips song, with futuristic space sounds in the background carried by Wayne Coyne's gentle, restrained vocals.\nJakob Dylan featuring Dhani Harrison: "Gimme Some Truth" Jakob's singing and Dhani's rhythm guitar often reveal brilliant flashes of Bob and George. And that's always a good thing. \nBlasphemy!: 4 songs Brian Epstein would never have allowed to be released.\nAvril Lavigne: "Imagine" I can only imagine I lived in a world where this recording didn't exist. To be fair, though, John probably would have done a lame "Sk8er Boy" cover if he were alive.\nAerosmith: "Give Peace a Chance" They put their own spin on it, that's for sure, but it's not a good one. Steven Tyler rapping over the chorus clutters the original's simple message.\nChristina Aguilera: "Mother" It's not as cringe-worthy as you'd think, but I'd rather not hear it again. She has the voice needed for this glass-case-of-emotion of a song, but "Mother" is far too personal to ever be covered.\nU2: "Instant Karma" Fake Bono: "They're doing something for Darfur? I want in. I'll give you five minutes of posturing and put absolutely nothing original into it"
