Annie: DJ Kicks

Herald rating: ***

As John Cusack's character, Rob Gordon, in High Fidelity points out, the art of a great compilation is to make an impression right from the start, then back it up with a strong second track.

What he didn't get around to mentioning is that it also has to impress the listener, while not alienating them by being too cool.

Norwegian DJ Annie has forgotten the golden rule. Opening song Rabbit Pushing Mover, by Toy, is too saccharine - like a stylish Aqua - to make an impact. Other tracks, like Mu's Paris Hilton and Bumblebee Unlimited's Lady Bug verge on novelty value.

But luckily, Annie impresses with a bunch of great selections, including the Joan Jett-meets-the Go-Gos sound of Bow Wow Wow's I Want Candy and My Love For You by old school New Yorkers ESG, as well as Alan Vega's breathless surf guitar jaunt Jukebox Babe.

Annie is more about track selection than DJ technicalities. When you're doing a mixtape, the tracks you pick have to go well together and sadly, in places, this album is anything but as beautiful as Annie.

Label: !K7