I almost feel bad reviewing a benefit CD. After all, there are only basically two criteria for a successful project of this type: whether the music brings attention to the problem, and whether it makes the public support the cause, i.e., by buying the CD. On both counts, this record hits the mark. But as an event, this record really distinguishes itself. No, Black Flag isn't back (did you think you'd ever see Ginn and Rollins together?), but Hank himself and three-fourths of Rollins Band ripping through the meat of the Black Flag catalog with an A-list of guest stars is an event in its own right.

This new band sticks to the first three years, culling the most mateial from 1981's difinitive Damaged LP, and avoiding all but one track off 1985's mixed Loose Nut. Even with such a classic catalog, everyone involved seems up to the challenge. The Circle Jerks' (and original BF singer) Keith Morris gives a paranoid reading of "Nervous Breakdown", and Cedric Zavala does his best Biafra on the EP cut "I've Had It". Rancid's Tim and Lars acquit themselves surprisingly well, thank you, on "No More". And with his sage-biker croak of a voice, Lemmy fits "Thirsty and Miserable" like a leather glove.

Rollins himself hits the material with a ferocity missing from him of late. Obviously, it's healthier for him to have a cause rather than to host a crappy Fox show, and he's on a mission here. That classic indignant insistence holds one's attention on the last four tracks, though they're longest on the disc by far. He even gets three good duets in: with L.A. deity Exene Cervenka on the raucous "Wasted", trading innuendoes with Inger Lorre on "Slip It In", and on a feel-good romp through "Annihilate This Week" with Kira Roessler, Black Flag's last good bassist.

Yeah. But don't dare think this is a deathly serious record. Mike Patton has his way with "Six Pack". It's all worth it for the last line alone. By far, the lightest moment on the album is the uber-group chant on "TV Party", where the show lineup gets an update, complete with goofy handclaps: "Ally McBeal! Rosie O'Donnel! Oprah! VIP!". The satire still hits as hard as ever, though, as Greg Ginn's assault on complacency is broadened to include the Arkansan justice system.

Bottom line? Black Flag's monologues of betrayal and purposelessness suit the plight of the West Memphis Three. These young men, teenagers when frist arrested and convicted of a triple murder, have gained national attention due to the incompetent investigation of the case. With this high-profile release, Rolins is hoping to bump the exposure up a notch. The fans get a collector's item, Greg Ginn gets some royalties, and Slipknot's Corey Taylor gets to do something with some credibility.

- Brad Shoup