Audacious Vol. 5

Well, the titular pun is well-nigh irresistible, so much so that it's a wonder producer and DJ Dave Audé hasn't used it before. However, it's not a particularly apt description of this DJ set, which is a perfectly serviceable but unexciting collection of energetic dance tunes. The best DJ mixes crackle with the frisson of unexpected juxtapositions and intriguing song choices; while Audacious maintains a decent club/dance groove throughout, the closest thing to a surprise here is Audé's closing remix of "All About Us," which transforms the original chart pop single by the already all but forgotten Russian teen pop duo t.A.T.u. (they were the ones who dressed in schoolgirl uniforms and pretended to be lesbians, remember?) into a slinky piece of old-school acid house. Otherwise, Audacious gets the job done for anyone looking for an extended pop-house mix set, but only just. "Acceptable" would have been a more truthful title.