Urban Turban

Man's Martin Ace and Micky Jones teamed up with Paul Durden for this mock project. The Urban Turbans (most certainly the worst group name ever) revisit — and make fun of — a cross section of the history of rock & roll, from Elvis Presley to the Beatles to Nirvana, while dreaming of the day we will see turbans over Memphis. It is difficult to see in the whole album something more than just a bunch of easy unconnected jokes. It is good for a hearty laugh or two and thankfully lasts only a bit over a half hour. Turban Town opens with "Back in the Golden Temple of Amritsar," a pastiche of the Beatles' "Back in the USSR" with extra Indian flavor (a recurring element). "Nervous About My Baby," "Crazy Mixed-Up Girl," and "This Gig's a Pig" go the good ol' rock & roll way, forcing the genre's redneck roots into your throat. "Rainbows on My Blue Suede Shoes" and "(Elvis) The Visit" pay tribute to the King — in the latter, he comes back to Earth to save our souls! "Surfin' Through Her Soul" plays on the sexual ambiguousness of the Beach Boys' lyrics, while "Radio Nirvana" is, well, self-explanatory. Vintage guitars, piano triplets, and a fake Elvis croon make up most of the arrangements. Turban Town is good clean fun, just like the Mothers of Invention's Cruising With Ruben & the Jets was an enjoyable doo wop spoof, and, like it, it has only marginal appeal. ~ François Couture, Rovi