Any cover of ‘Radio Ga Ga’ is bound to be terrible. So when Electric Six decided it might be fun to record a version, the omens weren’t good for this, their second album. The joke just wasn’t funny anymore.

Señor Smoke is more of the same from Dick Valentine and crew. Like its predecessor it’s packed with raw energy and pure fun. Valentine can be laugh out funny at times. He’s at his best on ‘Jimmy Carter’ where he compares the former US President to electric underwear and peppers the song with Backstreet Boys lyrics. However too many of the songs grate after that initial listen.

‘Dance-A-Thon 2005’, ‘Future Boys’ and ‘Be My Dark Angel’ are all musically accomplished and packed with joyous pop but they lack the edge which made us fall in love with the band in the first place. Often Señor Smoke sees Electric Six sounding like The Darkness running out of ideas.

It’s not all bad though. Señor Smoke is a pretty decent album for what it is. On ‘Rock And Roll Evacuation’ and ‘Bite Me’ the band are as straight laced as they can get and sound much the better for it. The funk infused closer ‘Future Is In The Future’ is a particular highlight and, like many of these songs, will probably take on a life of its own in a live setting. My advice is spend €20 on a concert ticket and try not to laugh too hard when Valentine, painting a picture of doom on ‘Be My Dark Angel’, explains with shock “The Jacksons are reuniting…..and going on tour!”