Rock 'n' Roll Monkey and the Robots

With a generous shot of humour-infused rock'n'roll, Back to Beatsville stirs up an entertaining elixir. The group bounce along on a number of quick garage numbers, including "Hitch a Ride to Beatsville" and "Sad Clown." On other songs, including "Thee Black Sea," the group slow the pace for sinister dirges that nod towards the leather-clad Cramps and the late Lux Interior. Rock 'N' Roll Monkey and the Robots' lyrics tackle sci-fi and occult encounters with a comedic approach, such as on "Zombie Attack." Featuring horn players and a number of guest guitarists, the record benefits from its variety of musicians. On "We Want to Hear You Howl," vocalists Craig Campbell and Jackie Herman offer a duet that points muscularly towards the swagger of Billy Childish and Holly Golightly. During Back to Beatsville's 14 songs, the band appeal evenly to a wide rock'n'roll palate.