Robert Johnson is the father of the blues. Weird Al? Well, he was the father of nerdcore before the term existed. The legendary writer (Anyone remember the movie UHF?), comedian, music producer, parodist/satirist actor,director and Grammy winner has been pumping out song and style parodies/tributes to prominent contemporary artists since the 1970s. “My Sharona” by the Knack found its comedic remix in 1981 when Yankovic adapated it as “My Bologna.” When The Lonely Island crew was still in kindergarten, Alfred Matthew Yankovic’s “Eat It” was in heavy rotation on MTV and radio. Over 25 years later, he’s still going strong.

On Alpocalypse (Volcano) his sound is at times deliberately and gleefully retro but it’s his chameleon-like ability to absorb the essence of whatever trends are dominating music and current events at any given period that’s given Weird Al decades-long longevity. He is a cultural sponge who wrings himself out through song. There also aren’t too many other artists I know of who centralize their compositions around the accordion.

“Craigslist” is a A Doorsesque-style parody that brilliantly chronicles the combined conveniences, questionable ads, sales opportunities and general stupidities one can encounter day-to-day on the site. “TMZ” is a take on Taylor Swift’s “You Belong With Me” and examines celebrity vulnerability to embarrassment by paparazzi from a hilarious angle. Lady Gaga’s Born This Way is reborn as “Perform This Way.” “Polka Face” is one of Al’s trademark mashups making Justin Bieber, Pink, Lady Antebellum and more the meat in a parody sandwich.

Humor with a gentle touch that’s still very funny is not an easy balance to find and maintain but Weird Al’s charm is that he pokes fun at world culture and songs, not the appearance, choices or lives of the people who sing them.

All in all, Alpocalypse (Alpolkalypse?) is no catastrophe but a fine offering of Yankovic’s talent for deconstructing the current by bringing the silly.

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