Joel Sawyer

FOR a man in his early 20s, this Teenage Kicks compilation is something of a history lesson.

I'm well aware that for people a few years older, it will mean a revision of their youth - a time when the music scene was benefiting from an embarrassment of fortunes.

But I suppose it doesn't really matter how old you are, because this collection will still have you screaming along with joy.

The late John Peel's favourite tune ever, Teenage Kicks by the Undertones, kicks (ahem) things off here. And it's all up from there - Town Called Malice, Hanging on the Telephone, I Don't Like Mondays, Up the Junction, Turning Japanese, Ever Fallen In Love, Baggy Trousers, Boys Don't Cry, New Rose ... to name but a few.

There's even a demo version of Anarchy in the UK by the pistols.

Chances are that if you were around when this music was created, you'll still have the originals filed away somewhere.

But for my generation, this is like a masterclass of vibrant, energetic, frenetic and infectious pop music and a great informer of the roots of today's big bands.

A must have for any 20-something looking for some musical inspiration.