80S, the

Reissue of SF-based “accordion pop anti-diva’s” music from the 80s. Yes, it sounds dated but it’s a slice of that time that doesn’t get any play on the nostalgia stations and it’s not embarrassingly cheesy, just twenty years old. A lot of the songs are covers of not-too-obscure-but-not-famous songs. The accordion is an unusual touch. I like the NME’s description of low-tech art-rock equally Nico and Jonathan Richman. Ms. ACC does tend toward folksy arrangements and storytelling in her lyrics.

1. Wonderful tune about how all may be shit but one’s personal “issues” always count more than global stuff; in this case, the death of actor John Cassavettes is most sadly recalled
2. Mellifluous and pleasantly adult cover of Alice Cooper’s rebellious teen anthem
3. Stripped-down New Wave arrangement with simple rap being a mini-travelogue; “fuck” used as transitive verb; love the weak squeezebox
4. Can you tell Alan Vega’s involved by the scary whoops and moans and the thumping nervous synth?
5. Deeply somber theme from influential 80s film but the accordion here lacks pathos; despite that, it’s atmospheric; several “fuck”s
6. Swingin’ and suave, almost sassy, cover of the Richard Hell classic
7. A bit wheezy on the box
8. A pleasant and simple tune
9. A Tex-Mex ode to Los Alamos; amusing story and the simple arrangement of guitars and accordion gives it a light, peppy feel
10. Lazy, soft trip into the sunset