Coolest Songs in the World, Vol. 4

Performer: Various Artists
Distributor: RED Distribution

Notes: Since Little Steven Van Zandt is able to pull together several hours of cool rock & roll every week for his Underground Garage radio show, it shouldn't surprise anyone that the fourth CD in his Coolest Songs in the World series is just as solid as the first, but it's still good news that he's offering up these samplers which deliver all sorts of hip and happening rock. The Coolest Songs in the World, Vol. 4 testifies to Van Zandt's admirably broad interpretation of the phrase garage rock -- in his mind, Joan Jett, the New York Dolls, and Radio Birdman are just as worthy of the title as the Hives, the Fuzztones, and the Flaming Sideburns, and if certain genre purists might roll their eyes, for more broad-minded listeners this plays the way a good radio show should, offering just enough variety to keep things interesting but never forgetting the importance of a good hook and the big beat. The segue between the sneering pop-punk of the Vacancies and the wide-eyed psychedelia of the Apples in Stereo works just fine in practice, just as the gloriously trashy boogie of the New York Dolls blends with the Beatles-influenced jangle of the Red Button with surprising grace. And while it's hard to imagine any compelling reason for a Kelly Osbourne track to appear on this disc, Van Zandt's golden ears have not failed him, and "Come Dig Me Out" turns out to be a pretty fine single. Maybe this isn't the be all and end all of contemporary garage rock compilations, but if you're looking for 50 minutes of high quality tunes suitable for driving, entertaining or swilling beer, this is just the thing you need. ~ Mark Deming

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