Rebound's Alterno-Daze: Survival of the Fittest -- '80s attempts to offer a brief summary of post-punk, new wave, jangle-pop and college rock staples as a kind of primer to kids turned onto alternative music through Nirvana or Green Day. Since it's a budget priced compilation, it shouldn't be surprising that it clocks in at 12 tracks. What is a surprise is the album is pretty good, indeed. Certainly, a budget line collection could never provide a definitive portrait of new wave, but this has more than its fair share of great songs, including "Tainted Love (12-inch version)," "I'm the Man," "Relax," "I Melt with You," "Our Lips are Sealed," "Video Killed the Radio Star," "Black Coffee in Bed," "I Know What Boys Like," "Be Near Me," "Mexican Radio" and "Robert DeNiro's Waiting." These alone make it worthwhile for budget-minded curious listeners. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine