Charity albums are always dodgy ground for reviewers - all to often the intentions are good, but the music doesn't match up, leaving the dilemma of staying true to your musical convictions and seeming like a heartless bastard, or swallowing your pride and rating a substandard album in the name of charidee.

Fortunately in the case of Doing It For The Kids, there are no such complications. The cause is as worthy as they come, Yorkhill Children's Foundation raises money to pay for medical equipment and improve child and family facilities for a hospital in Glasgow, and the idea for the album was forged when organiser Sandy Fyfe's own daughter received treatment at Yorkhill for a severe heart condition.

Thankfully the musical contributions of the 66 (yep, you read that right) bands on the album are worthy of representing such a noble cause. Unsurprisingly it's a bit of a mixed bag, both in

terms of style and quality, with highlights including an exclusive track from the now sadly defunct Luxembourg, the tender Scottish brogue of Ballboy's 'Love Triangle' and the quirky funfest 'Tortoise' by The New Royal Family. There's plenty to tug on the heartstrings too, with the child vocal on The Coal Porters 'Buttefly Hearts' and a heartfelt 'Kids' by Ed Harcourt.

I suppose the acid test of any charity compilation is whether or not it would be worth buying if it wasn't for a good cause (otherwise you may as well just donate directly to the charity after all), and for Doing it for the Kids, the answer is a resounding "Yes!".

Review by Paul Madden
Download the album for £6.49 from www.resonancestore.com/yorkhillproject bargain!
www.diftk08.org.uk