Novelty records are a strange beast that require an entirely different set of reviewing criteria to your typical album. Essentially, while the music is important, it takes a back seat to the theme, with the question becoming whether said theme is able to provoke its intended emotion over time.
Here we have a case in point. The Original Monster Mash, recorded in 1962 and now pressed lovingly onto glow-in-the-dark vinyl for a whole new generation to enjoy, is the sole work of Bobby “Boris” Pickett and the Crypt Kicker Five. Essentially, an opportunity for Bobby to indulge his range in horror impersonations, the music very much provides a backing for his escapades, with mixed (but often entertaining) results. When music and performance coalesce (as on the title track), the album is undoubtedly a blast, and it’s only when things skew too far towards Bobby’s impersonations that things lose focus a tad.
Anyhow, with the vinyl cued up, it’s time to grab your stake and go crypt-breaking…
The Package
Whether you’re a fan of the original, or a newcomer seeking some easy Halloween thrills, The Original Monster Mash looks the part. Housed in a sturdy jacket, with detailed liner notes on the rear, there’s little beyond a hype sticker to add to the original issue, but it looks great on the shelf.
The vinyl is housed in a plain, poly-lined sleeve, keeping it safe from dust and debris, while the platter itself is a joy to behold. Pressed on glow-in-the-dark vinyl, it emerges clear from its sleeve. Hold it up to the light to charge, and it glows an eerie green – maintaining its aura for quite some time and drawing admiring glances from guests. Smooth and crackle-free, it’s the perfect media for the album.
Overall, while the package could perhaps have been improved with a booklet featuring images and additional notes, this is a particularly fun reissue from Decca’s crypt.
The Audio
The cynic could argue that the opening track is all you really need from this album, although that would be to do the other tunes a disservice. Nevertheless, no one can debate the enduring power of The Monster Mash, a brilliantly tongue-in-cheek novelty tune that gives Billy a chance to roll his rs over a simple Mashed Potato backing. One of those tracks that’s ingrained in the public’s consciousness thanks to numerous references over the years, it even returned to the charts in 2021, proving that even some sixty years on, it never fails to raise a smile (if not the dead). More to the point, while it may be a novelty, you can’t escape the sense that both Bobby and his band had a whole heap of fun tracking the song – and it’s arguably their infectious joy that keeps audiences coming back year after year.
With the title cut dispatched, what follows is a collection of random skits and similarly-dance-themed songs of variable quality. First on the slab is Rabian – The Fiendage Idol, a slinky number with a cartoon vibe that suffers from a surfeit of impersonations in place of a melody, although the Werewolf passages are a lot of fun. Better is Blood Bank Blues, which finds poor old Dracula suffering from the titular condition, while the band attempt to cross Wilson Pickett and The Beatles. It’s followed by the whimsical Graveyard Shift, which finds the Crypt Kickers really swinging. The track also benefits from Bobby stepping back, allowing the music to do the talking, although there’s still some fun to be had with his impersonations.
With the party in full swing, it’s time for another dance – this time titled Skully Gully. With its harmonica lead and memorable backing vocals, it’s got an old country shuffle to it that the band handle well. Meanwhile the sweetly sinister vibe is such that you can easily imagine the track hiding in the background of a Rob Zombie horror flick. The band remain in country territory for Wolfbane, which somewhat annoyingly worms its way into your head with its “Wolfbane – Wahooooo” hook. It’s less impactful than The Monster Mash, and a touch overcooked, but you can’t help singing along whenever it comes on. Unfortunately, the side ends with a skit – Monster Minuet – which isn’t particularly interesting either musically or thematically. However, as a short piece, it can be easily ignored.
Opening the second side with a bang, Dracula returns to lead the Transylvania Twist. Always an obvious choice, given that it’s referenced in The Monster Mash, it finds the Crypt Kickers on toe-tapping form, and it whizzes past in under two minutes. It’s followed by Sinister Stomp, which is essentially Monster Mash part II. It’s fun, and the backing vocals are a particular delight. It neatly paves the way for the glorious doo-wop pastiche of Me and My Mummy – one of the only tracks to find Bobby actually singing – and it sounds surprisingly fresh, especially in the context of Twin Temple’s success with ghoulish doo-wop.
Leaving no (grave)stone unturned, The Locomotion comes in for a creepy kicking next with Monster Motion,and it’s exactly as you might imagine. In contrast, Monster Mash Party is an overlong skit, filled with ghoulish noises, and offering little to amuse. Better is Irresistible Igor, another doo-wop ditty that keeps the side moving along nicely. However, it’s the surprising Bella’s Bash that emerges from the depths to rival The Monster Mash. A brilliantly pitched mambo reminiscent of Tom Waits’ ramshackle Jockey Full Of Bourbon, it’s a musical treat, and it makes you wonder what Bobby Pickett and the Crypt Kickers may have done next, had they continued down this path. Alas, we’ll never know and, closing the album, Dracula gets lusty on the silly skit, Let’s Fly Away, which arguably detracts from an otherwise solid side.
Conclusion
Best thought of as a party album, The Original Monster Mash mainly hits its mark when the band are allowed to set the dancefloor alight, only tripping over its own feet when Bobby’s impersonations become the driving force in a given song. With the title track, Monster Motion, Bella’s Bash, and Transylvania Twist all genuinely amusing pieces with solid performances from the Crypt Kickers, there’s a lot to enjoy, while the glow-in-the-dark vinyl is the icing on the cake. Ignore the skits dotted around the place, and you’ve got a cracking disc to get your Halloween off to a cracking start! Music: 7/10; Reissue: 9/10
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