From veteran pop culture scribe Nathan Rabin, former head writer of the A.V. Club and the man who wrote the book on, and with, "Weird Al" Yankovic in the 2012 coffee table book Weird Al: The Book (Nathan Rabin with Al Yankovic) comes The Weird Accordion to Al, an even more essential guide to an American original's life and work. 

Adapted from the column on its author's website, Nathan Rabin's happy place, with an introduction from Al himself, The Weird Accordion to Al explores every track on all 16 of Al's records (14 studio albums, the medium rarities obscurities collection, and Peter & the Wolf, his collaboration with Wendy Carlos) with an obsessiveness that's downright peculiar. 

Equal parts music criticism, cultural and comedy history, autobiography, and comic meditation on nostalgia, television, consumerism, childhood, technology, and food, The Weird Accordion to Al does justice to a musical legend and comic genius, the extent of whose remarkable achievements are only now being fully understood and appreciated.

Praise for The Weird Accordion to Al:

“A brilliant, heartfelt cry of obsession and love for an already beloved and obsessed-over artist. Share Nathan’s madness and be freed!” (Patton Oswalt, American stand-up comedian)

"This book is pop culture history, music dissertation, and comedic theory. Nathan has exemplified the qualities that make Weird Al an artist who is equal parts Frank Zappa, Mel Brooks, and Mark Twain.” (Jonah Ray, American actor and comedian)

“You don’t have to be a fan of Weird Al to enjoy Rabin’s raucous deep-dive into the complete discography. But if you’re not a Weird Al fan, there’s clearly something wrong with you.” (Alex Winter, American actor)

“Wonderfully captures the quirks and fun details that have made the Yank-oeuvre ooze with oddness for almost four decades. Nathan really shows you what makes Al's mind tick. Spoiler: It's the neurons. A must read for anyone unemployed, childless, or with ninety spare hours to kill.” (Scott Aukerman, American writer and actor)

“The Weird Accordion to Al is the definitive companion to the “Weird Al” catalog. It’s chock-full of fascinating insights that left my head spinning like a Frankie Yankovic record (no relation). Nobody covers the Al canon in better depth than Nathan Rabin. It’s a must-read for the weirdos in your life. I learned so much from this very specific book.” (Thomas Lennon, American actor and comedian)

"Nathan Rabin is obsessive in the best sense of the word. He literally already wrote the book on Weird Al that Weird Al asked him to write. That wasn't enough for Nathan, and that's why, we are lucky to have this book. Al's contributions to pop culture deserve the kind of obsession that only Nathan Rabin can bring to the page, and he brings it big time in this book. He dares to be very smart about 'Dare to Be Stupid'.” (Jake Fogelnest, American writer and comedian)