Action Action

While the Killers and Hot Hot Heat take ’80s-inspired synth pop as inspiration for their modern rock sound, this New York quartet are quite happy to actually recreate it. With the help of William Wittman (Cyndi Lauper’s producer), Action Action’s sophomore release sounds like a slightly thicker and more rocking version of the Fixx with big booming, reverb-soaked vocals and drums. And I don’t mean that in a bad way. Their songs and delivery are so earnest and reverent that it’s hard not to get caught up in the nostalgia of it all. As far as unapologetic nods to the ’80s go, this is one of the best records to come along in some time.