Man, what are they putting in Boston's drinking water? Boston's a rock & roll town with a great scene. Some mighty fine bands have come out of Beantown, but lately, things have gotten a little weird up there. Take The Strangemen, for example; they're a bit...um well, strange. Sporting glittery, Elvis-style lounge jackets, dark glasses, and two-feet high white pompadours, their appearance might put off those who may dismiss one-joke bands. Oh, contraire! These guys have their "thing" down pat and do it well. Try putting the following in a blender: 60's surf/garage rock, Link Wray-style guitar twang, and a lounge act sensibility. Pour in some sci-fi nostalgia and add a dose of humor. Now mix well. "Elvis Inside of Me" extolls the virtues of Elvis-ness. "Don't Touch My Hair" sounds like a Hank Marvin and The Shadows tribute. They even have their very own television theme song (shades of the TV shows, Mission Impossible and UFO?). My favorite is the Martin Denny-inspired "Amazona," a song with real knee-slapper lyrics bearing a melody that plants itself in side your head and stays there. It reminds me of what local band Gulab Jammin are trying to do. Some people just don't like "gimmick" bands, but I do...if it works.
You can't pull off a novelty act if the musicians can't play. The fact that the CD doesn't leave my player for long periods of time is a pretty good indication the music holds up well. Makes me want to travel to Boston and drink the water. Maybe some of that "strangeness" will rub off on me.
- Cheryl LeBeau
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