We remember the 1980s. And we will be the first to admit they were perhaps not the richest, most innovative or rewarding years in pop music. But we don't remember them being the dawn-to-dusk buzzkill that Grant-Lee Phillips makes them out to be on Nineteeneighties.

On this underwhelming covers collection, singer-guitarist Phillips -- the former leader of Grant Lee Buffalo and current Gilmore Girls troubadour -- puts 11 '80s pop chestnuts through the Downermatic 3000, stripping them to their bare bones and converting them into dreary, draining folk dirges.

Whether it's The Pixies' Wave of Mutilation, R.E.M.'s So. Central Rain or The Cure's Boys Don't Cry, it all gets the same sombre, atmospheric treatment, with Phillips lazily strumming his acoustic guitar and dustily creaking his vocals over a stark landscape of haunting pianos, weeping steel guitars, gentle percussion and crying harmonica.

Taken one song at a time, it's OK -- but as a whole, it ends up being a longer, slower slog than the '80s ever were.

Track Listing:

1. Wave Of Mutilation
2. Age Of Consent
3. The Eternal
4. I Often Dream Of Trains
5. The Killing Moon
6. Love My Way
7. Under The Milky Way
8. City Of Refuge
9. So. Central Rain
10. Boys Don't Cry
11. Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Love Me