Valley Girl: More Music From The Soundtrack
Inspired by the Moon Zappa novelty hit of the early '80s,Valley Girlactually became a musical showcase for the dizzying array of styles that collided under the mantle of new wave. And though the movie didn't even have an initial soundtrack release, Rhino has more than made up for that shortcoming with two generous volumes. Deriving much of its inspiration from then-pioneering L.A. radio outlet KROQ's "Rock of the 80's" format, this second volume offers up a couple bona fide early MTV classics (Toni Basil's "Mickey,"Culture Club's "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me"); nervy nouveau power pop (thePlimsouls' "Zero Hour"); upbeat U.K. R&B; (theJam's "A Town Called Malice"); rhythmic synth-pop ("In the Name of Love" byThompson Twins); and, of course, a loopy dollop of the genre's unrequited love for novelty and sexual innuendo ("I Eat Cannibals" byTotal Coelo,Sparks' "Eaten by the Monster of Love," and "Pocket Pool" by Killer Pussy). Can skinny ties be just around the corner--again?--Jerry McCulley