The Snowboard Generation series is cut from a mould: each album features a high-octane mix of big beat and hip-hop; anthems, classics, and underground gems; and in the case of volumes 1 and 2, a couple of the same songs. Volume 1's high points come early and often: there's the trio of Fatboy Slim, Blur and the Beastie Boys to kick things off, with everyone from Roni Size, Tricky, DJ Shadow, the Herbaliser, Wu-Tang Clan, Beck and Massive Attack to follow (not to mention the Chemical Brothers, Sneaker Pimps, UNKLE, etc.). While it might be an ideal mix for tearing down your closest mountain, strapped to a plank, this collection need not be listened to only at altitude. --Bucky Wunderlick