Various Artists - Do The Pop!

The Do The Pop! compilation series, particularly the widely praised original 2002 release and its 2008 Redux follow-up, serves as a definitive historical document of the Australian garage-rock and punk scene between 1976 and 1987. While the first collection is celebrated for its near-flawless 50-track run featuring heavyweights like Radio Birdman and The Saints, the Redux edition expands this scope to provide a more comprehensive, albeit grittier, snapshot of the era by including rare unreleased tracks and deep cuts from obscure cult legends. Critics generally view the series as an "invigorating" and raw essential for fans of the genre, though some reviewers from The Guardian note that the Redux version occasionally leans into more generic punk sounds compared to the rewarding diversity of the original set. Overall, the collection is highly regarded for spotlighting a powerful, isolated musical movement that prioritized raw energy and melodic hooks over the art-centered or fashion-focused trends of the UK and US scenes.