THIS compilation celebrating the tenth birthday of classic indie label Wall Of Sound gets off to a storming start.

Royksopp's good times bounce Eple then the private eye-esque Take California, by The Propellerheads, take some beating as an album-opening double header.

Good job too because this record has the tricky task of saying what Wall Of Sound has been about - ingenuity and non-conformity. The label has consistently nurtured music that fits snugly with life seen from a different angle - an alternative slant.

With barely an exception the tracks fit together like best mates out on a big night together for the first time in ages.

The Bees' A Minha Menina, with its killer bee bassline, and Maracana Madness, by E-Klektik, are stunning, even standout tracks in their own right. Back to back they sound awesome, as does most of the rest of the album. Fantastic.

Updated: 16:34 Wednesday, December 03, 2003