It was Frank Zappa who pondered whether humour belongs in music. Australian electro/rock band the Midnight Juggernauts have decided the answer is "yes". Their latest mini-album, Secrets of the Universe, is a hip-shaking fusion of rock and electronica that doesn't take itself too seriously. The Midnight Juggernauts are a duo with Andy Juggernaut (aka Gadaffi) handling guitar and vocals while Vincent Juggernaut (aka Noriega) is the synthesizer wrangler as well as being on vocal duties.

The click of drumsticks starts off Shadows leading into a very funky bass line with shimmering keyboards. I half expected a mirror ball to lower from the ceiling and there was this strange desire to go out and buy some polyester pants. Never mind the curious sensations from the toes to hip suggesting dancing. The synth on The Devil Within are suitably ominous at the beginning and the disco is left behind for a driving rock beat. Just when you expect crashing guitars on the chorus it is more keyboards. There is no mistaking that attitude and intention as being rock but the guitars are well in the background. A clever use of form without relying on instrumentation. Tombstone is all 80s keyboards and rock rhythms. The use of a vocoder on the vocals is an interesting twist that does eventually outstay its welcome.

From the Deep is a short instrumental with heavy metal drums under a moody keyboard and organ chords. 45 and Rising lets the dance back in with harmonized guitars providing the muscle. The chorus is groove approved but the vocals are almost unrecognisable and unintelligible under layers of effects. The final cut is a remix of The Devil Within by The Presets. The song is stripped back to drums and one synthesizer bass line and and another percolating riff patrolling the space between the verses. It is quite a contrast to the original version, but the song is less inviting as a result.

While the Midnight Juggernauts may not have the momentum that their name suggests there is no reason why they won't achieve more. Reports are that they are a great live act which is more than half of the battle these days. There are some moments when the ideas wear a little thin but it is all in good fun and full credit to the Midnight Juggernauts for their approach. And while they have some great ideas and are unafraid of experimentation it remains to be seen whether the Midnight Juggernauts would be able to sustain the interest over a full album. But that would still be an experiment that should be welcomed, and one that would probably be quite enjoyable.