By Billy Florio

After the devastating Tsunami that ravaged South East Asia earlier this year, many benefit concerts and albums popped up to raise money for rebuilding. This compilation from Urban Outfitters and Filter Magazine is the latest in this long string and, musically, the best so far.

The For UNICEF Tsunami Relief Fund compilation is two discs worth of B-sides, rarities and alternate versions of songs by many indie/alternative favorites, such as Rilo Kiley, Clinic and Interpol, along with many, many more. Among those already mentioned, the compilation contains rare covers (such as Death Cab for Cutie’s near exact cover of The Cure’s “Love Song”), remixes (like the excellent Headman Remix of Franz Ferdinand’s “The Dark of the Matinee”) and live versions of songs (such as Wilco’s “Jesus, etc.”). And all for only $15!

For the most part, every song on the compilation is amazing. Certain previously unreleased songs, such as Hot Hot Heat’s “Apt. 101,” and Rilo Kiley’s “American Wife” are great enough to be hit singles. Other songs from semi-obscure artists, such as the French Kicks’ “The Trial of the Century” and the Kaiser Chiefs’ “Take My Temperature” show great promise in bands not many have heard of.

There isn’t much error on this album at all. The Futurehead’s live version of “Piece of Crap” is appropriately named, since it doesn’t come close to the excellence that was normally displayed on their debut album. Death Cab’s cover of “Love Song” is boring, and no different than the original (though it is far better than 311’s crappy cover) and Caribou’s “Barnowl” is nothing special compared to some of the bands other works. Still, all of these songs would probably be the highlighted tracks on lesser albums.

There is a pretty diverse collection of alternative music on here, spanning the different genres within indie rock. The album contains great songs by Bright Eyes (“We Are Nowhere And It Is Now”), Mercury Rev (“In A Funny Way”), The Go! Team (“Huddie Formation”), Juana Molina (“Isabel”), LCD Soundsystem (“Yr City’s A Sucker”) and M83 (“A Guitar And A Heart”). Every different kind of indie kid and hipster can be appeased by this collection of songs.

Overall, this album is an excellent compilation of indie rock. It’s a must-own for fans of the bands on here, and a great way to hear songs from a few more obscure bands placed between rarities from bands fairly known in the indie world.

The Chronicle gives ´For UNICEF Tusnami Relief Fund´, by Various Artists five out of five stars.