They're good points - (2) hadn't occurred to me, but it's very true. (And the stickers are irritating - especially when I've never heard of the track they pick.)

I have a friend who approaches album composition like an art, both in considering published albums and in making mix compilations.

Well they should! There's a very real difference between a good album and the more obvious sort of "Greatest Hits" disc.

But yes, starting with something attention-grabbing is good. But ending on the right note is good, too! It's a shame.