THIS is the seventh in the series of Rough Trade compilations that last year brought the joys of Country 1, a celebration of all things Americana, familiar or obscure.

The pun-titled Counter Culture 03 has been put together by the staff of Rough Trade shops from the big hitters, personal favourites and hidden gems of 2003. The 45 tracks are divided into an introspective selection and a less diverse second set of "full-on rocking and party punker music".

The album serves best as a primer for acts that should catch the ear this year, such as Sufjan Stevens, Joy Zipper, Blanche and Erase Errata, and those who came to attention last year, Dizzee Rascal, Franz Ferdinand, Fiery Furnaces and Peaches among them. Enjoy the curios too, none better than The Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players' Easter celebration of Eggs and (The Real) Tuesday Weld's playful and bubbly Bathtime In Clerkenwell.

Updated: 08:36 Thursday, March 11, 2004