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Considering the inspirational source material, maybe it's for the best that this collection of energetic indies have the last word on Big Star's tainted legacy.

In a series of dominoes-falling circumstances that always seemed to find Alex Chilton and allies hampered by one creative distraction and business struggle after the next, at least Big Star's music lives on.

Their ability to fascinate with melodic nuance and melancholy pop has always been an encouragement for other musicians to keep re-discovering those precious qualities. Since most of these honorariums have duly run their course, it's rather ironic that this Tribute To Big Star comes when there's muted excitement about the band and general disinterest in these comps. But while bravely waving the white flag, it's impossible not to be taken with a few high points during this 23-track collection, including Red Telephone's country-rock take of "September Girls," Church guitarist Marty Wilson-Piper's moody turnaround for "Thirteen," and Skywriter's breathy pose for "I'm In Love With A Girl."

Big Star may not have smashed into the big time, but their subtle vibrations are still rippling among music's lovers.