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*** The Munjoy Hill Society

BON VOYAGE

(Red Sparkle)

The Munjoy Hill Society have always danced a fine line, with their stage monikers and ironic, caviar shtick threatening to belittle their musicianship. Thankfully, on their debut CD, Bon Voyage, the band's dueling urges to be serious musicians without taking themselves too seriously have found a cordial balance.

Their time in the studio was well spent: the sometimes subtle sometimes bombastic composition of these 10 originals highlights the band's range and ear for orchestration all the while maintaining a cohesive style. And while the album shows without a doubt they are serious about this music, they've kept enough of the cocktail party flavor around that between Darien Brahms singing of an illicit lover's lips that taste like mango and Matt Staples working "Brazil" and "Munjoy Hill" into the same verse in the rollicking "Mutiny Aboard the Smirnoff," you really have to fight to keep a drink out of your hand.

Throughout the disc, Brahms's voice comes through as powerful as ever, getting low and husky for "I'm Tired of You," then strong and clear for "I'm in Love." Meanwhile, Staples finesses a number of different styles and tempos on the drums and a variety of percussive noise makers (and offers two turns on lead vocals that bring the band dangerously close to ironic implosion). Paul Chamberlain is equally adept on the piano, which takes most advantage of the studio experience. The up-beat piano rolls on "Estamos Cubiertos" contrast nicely with the haunting work on "D-Snitch." And bassist John Clark does well to survive the numerous tempo changes, as in "Better Life."

The band have transferred the steak and sizzle of their live shows to Bon Voyage, and at times there is a giddiness to the disc that is as infectious as the dancing at their gigs. The band is obviously having a good time here. "Let's have a toast to Munjoy Hill."

--Sam Smith