Now That's What I Call Music! Vol 60

McFly's big new track kicks things off, the first 10 tracks are overshadowed by Gwen Stefani's "What You Waiting For", a masterpiece of pop music. I also think they could have put the newer Girls Aloud track, the gritty disco of "Wake Me Up" is a lot better than the lame "I'll Stand By You". Dance tracks from the Uniting Nations, the all-conquering Scissor Sisters and the quite brilliant "Galvanise", follow, the album twists into American R&B or, as the cool kids say, "Crunk N' B" (This is apparently where you get drunk and crazy at the same time. Like brunch, but with more beats and less bacon). Ciara and LL Cool J pop up here, it is a blessing that the nauseating Usher is cast aside. The laudable Verbalicious, appears with a song I really shouldn't like, but can't help tapping my toes to, then whoops someone put Geri Halliwell on it. Quick slap to whoever thought of that but then a big hug, because that's the only blemish on the first CD.

The second CD is pure genius, the Killers' track "Somebody Told Me" is one of the main standouts, dramatic rock at its best. The return of a rather different sounding Stereophonics is also welcomed, some cool indie tracks follow before smoothly returning to the pop arena, including that daft track by Darius, which to be fair isn't all that bad. Daniel Bedingfield continues the family trend of being obsessed with literature (These Words, Unwritten, Wrap My Words Around You, I rest my briefcase). Usually CD2 contains all the failing pop bands, but instead we have new light Lucie Silvas, old hands, the Doves and the shockingly underrated Feeder. Atomic Kitten make an appearance, but as its their last, I shall let them off with a stern look. Most bizarrely of all, Tony Christie features with classic "(Is This The Way To) Amarillo". I can only fathom this is because of either A) his successful greatest hits album and huge following by today's youth or B) Peter Kay's hysterical performance t'other night on Comic Relief.

What a marvellous album, I shall buy and listen over Easter, whils that odd rabbit goes around giving chocolate.

When I first saw the tracklist, I was impressed with the quality and variety of music on offer here. Having given it two weeks' listening time, I can confirm it sounds as good as it looks! I also love the way the music is split down the middle: disc 1 for party moods, disc 2 for those heavier times.

All in all, Now 60 manages to deliver something for everyone (or everything for someone). A few of my personal favourite tracks are Uniting Nations' "Out Of Touch", Sunset Strippers' "Falling Stars", Chemical Brothers' "Galvanise" and the brilliant "Somebody Told Me" from The Killers. This is really amazing stuff, managing to thoroughly squash the competition. If you haven't already, GO BUY IT!!!

So, apart from the dance acts, there's a fair helping of both sugary and spicy pop, of aristocratic and apprentice-shop rock, of "crunk & b" (Ciara) and "charidee" (Tony Christie). But no recycled Elvis. The aim, as always, is to round up what has been in the pop charts over the last three months, and this it does admirably, including seven tracks that made No 1 and, on the release date, nine tracks that were still in the Top 40, which is quite an achievement these days.

While it is probably true that most people will already own the albums which have spawned the best tracks, from the likes of U2, Gwen Stefani, Scissor Sisters and Chemical Brothers, I always think that the Now (and similar) series are useful as samplers of some lesser-known acts, which I might be tempted to investigate further (eg Athlete, Freefaller, Lucie Silvas). For that purpose, and the undeniable cost and room savings having 40 odd singles on one CD, this is ideal.