In 2002, rock & roll finally got a new face. Pop music was still reigning the charts, but kids with guitars were up front and creating a ruckus. MTV2 Handpicked, Vol. 2 celebrates the rise of rock by showcasing some the year's biggest shakers and movers. This enhanced CD features 14 blistering tracks from the likes of John Mayer, Guster, the Hives, and Jack Johnson as well as three rare video cuts from the Vines, OK Go, and Coldplay. Australian grungees the Vines hit it big with their debut single, the jagged cool "Get Free," while the Hives introduced their own snarling Swedish punk sound with "I Hate to Say I Told You So." Jimmy Eat World was a pleasant surprise in 2002, for their single "The Middle" finally put them on the charts. A new punk revolution kepting smiling and the acoustic version of "The Middle" is just as charming as the heavy radio edit. While guitars add some extra kick to new millennium post-grunge, songbirds like the jazz/pop chanteuse Norah Jones, funk master Citizen Cope, and sunshiny popsters Phantom Planet added a bit of fun to the mix. MTV2 was undoubtedly there for the new rock show and this particular collection is a solid look at some of the year's brightest stars. Pop kids and twentysomethings will appreciate the bits collected for this release. ~ MacKenzie Wilson, All Music Guide