As an aficionado of all things spooky, it is unsurprising to most who know me, that Halloween is my favorite holiday, and October, by extension, my favorite month. As such, I am always on the lookout for anything Halloween related. Imagine my delight, when I met Tim Price, author of Big in Japan, and member of Professor Morte's Silver Scream Spookshow, which is described on its website, www.SilverScreamSpookshow.com, as '"Pee-wee's Playhouse" meets "The Munsters."' It was at the Sci-Fi Summer Con (shame on you, if you weren't there), where my best friend, Scairy Tales and Fried Pickle Noir creator, J.R. Mounts, introduced us. My eyes were drawn almost immediately to the distinctly Halloween-ish CD jackets at Tim's table. Tim was gracious enough to give me one, and let me tell you this: Halloween just got a new boost, thanks to Prof. Morte and friends!
At first listen, the (of course) thirteen-track "Silver Scream Spookshow Presents Building the Perfect Monster" is like the love child of Bobby Pickett and the Crypt-Kickers (The Original Monster Mash- both single and album) and Oingo Boingo--with Dr. Demento acting as midwife. Its dizzying mix of genres, from surf rock to country to rap, offers a wickedly-infectious blend of funny, family-friendly lyrics and catchy tunes that is sure to become a Halloween party favorite. Highlights are "Haunted House", "Bigfoot Mama", "The Mummy's Rag", "Casting My Spell", and - my favorite - the rock/rap infused "Lon Chaney". It's an homage to the late, great Lon Chaney, "the Man of a Thousand Faces," who wore so many disguises that party-goers are warned that if they see a spider: "Don't step on it...it might be Lon Chaney!" I dare you not to like it!
If you like your Halloween fun, "Building the Perfect Monster" is a treat that is sure to please. Go to the website. They've got lots of fun stuff for the spook in all of us. And don't worry: there's no need to mark your calendar. I'll be revisiting this gem once the "60 Days of Halloween" commences!
Cheers,
Chris
At first listen, the (of course) thirteen-track "Silver Scream Spookshow Presents Building the Perfect Monster" is like the love child of Bobby Pickett and the Crypt-Kickers (The Original Monster Mash- both single and album) and Oingo Boingo--with Dr. Demento acting as midwife. Its dizzying mix of genres, from surf rock to country to rap, offers a wickedly-infectious blend of funny, family-friendly lyrics and catchy tunes that is sure to become a Halloween party favorite. Highlights are "Haunted House", "Bigfoot Mama", "The Mummy's Rag", "Casting My Spell", and - my favorite - the rock/rap infused "Lon Chaney". It's an homage to the late, great Lon Chaney, "the Man of a Thousand Faces," who wore so many disguises that party-goers are warned that if they see a spider: "Don't step on it...it might be Lon Chaney!" I dare you not to like it!
If you like your Halloween fun, "Building the Perfect Monster" is a treat that is sure to please. Go to the website. They've got lots of fun stuff for the spook in all of us. And don't worry: there's no need to mark your calendar. I'll be revisiting this gem once the "60 Days of Halloween" commences!
Cheers,
Chris
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