There's one thing that draws a very pronounced line in the sand between compilations that aspire to a higher goal and those that are content to merely get people dancing. The straight dance comps always-- and I mean always-- feature a "hit," which is prominently mentioned on a brightly-colored starburst sticker on the record's cellophane. Dancemusic: Modernlife does this method one better. Its actual cover art is emblazoned with the unmistakable badge: "FEATURING ANGELMOON'S SMASH HIT SINGLE 'HE'S ALL I WANT.'" The gauntlet has been thrown down.

It's surprising that V2 chose to feature the Angelmoon single over Moby's "Natural Blues," considering he's about the best-selling artist on their roster. I scratch my chin in wonder. In any case, what you're getting yourself into with Dancemusic: Modernlife is what you'd expect-- or even demand-- from such a record. Solid base tracks from artists like Mercury Rev, Aphrodite, Air reject Alex Gopher, and Underworld are remixed by the likes of Moog Cook Book, the Chemical Brothers, Paul Oakenfold and the Jungle Brothers. Rinôçérôse and Truxton round out the mix, offering lesser- known singles that mix well with the bigger names represented.

Paul Oakenfold and Steve Osbourne transform Moby's "Natural Blues" with a lightweight precision coming soon to automobile commercial near you. It's dance-- not deep dance, not trance dance, but dance. And it's meant to make you move, a task accomplished most handily by this compilation as a whole. Dancemusic: Modernlife even goes beyond the range of similar comps with a relatively wide variety of sounds and styles, probably due to the fact that the record is basically a label sampler. Name any other dance comp with a Mercury Rev track cut in. In the end, Dancemusic: Modernlife rises above its peers, but not by much. Like your likable dumb cousin, it's a kick to have around for those lighthearted moments when no one gives a fuck, but nobody wants it around for the long term.

-James P. Wisdom