Various Artists: Shockrock

Feigning ignorance of new rave (and disco-punk and electroclash, for that matter), Wall Of Sound bring us ‘Shockrock’, a “revolutionary” compilation that – hold the front page! – brings together guitar bands who use synths, and those electronic dance music Johnnies who mesh computerised riffs with live drums and bass. Imagine! Patronising press blurb aside, however, you can’t argue with a compilation that brings together CSS and The Gossip’s “hits”, ace newcomers Shakes, Shy Child, A Human, and a remix of The Sunshine Underground from inspired cosmic techno bod, Serge Santiago. If this is a war, and it is, then Mark Jones’ Wall Of Sound label are undoubtedly allies in the battle against mediocrity.

Tony Naylor

7 out of 10