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Various Artists

The House Of Horrors - 27 Spooky Tales For Your Halloween Party

Review by Gary Hill
If you know anything about me, you’ll know that a collection of spooky music is just what I’m about. This various artists set of old-school (mostly rock and roll) monster music really hits the spot. Not everything is a complete winner, but nothing fails miserably, either. And, it’s generally a lot of fun. This thing would be perfect for your Halloween parties. And, I love that it’s some of the lesser known songs. I mean, we all love “The Monster Mash,” but does it have to be on every spooky music collection?

This review is available in book (paperback and hardcover) form in Music Street Journal: 2025  Volume 3. More information and purchase links can be found at: garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2025.
Track by Track Review
Merv Griffin - House Of Horrors

Starting with a little creepy skit, this works out into a cool, bouncy novelty song that’s a lot of good time.

The Duponts - Screamin' Ball (At Dracula Hall)

This is a fun doo wop styled rock and roller with some cool horror themes and vibes.     

Screamin' Jay Hawkins - Little Demon

This stomper is so strong. The wailing sax adds a lot, and the vocal performance is quirky and entertaining.

The Hollywood Flames - Frankenstein's Den

More doo wop styled stuff, this feels like a Halloween party in progress.

The Castle Kings - You Can Get Him - Frankenstein

I dig this tasty rock and roller, but the recording has some issue.

Zombi The Monotones

Doo wop is the concept here. This doesn’t feel all that horror related, it’s not really a standout at all.

Lon Chaney - Monster Holiday

Chaney speaks his part. Musically this is basically “The Monster Mash.”

Screamin' Jay Hawkins - I Put A Spell On You

This classic is one of my favorite Halloween rockers. It’s a fun cut and still holds up so well.      

The Swingin' Phillies - Frankenstein's Party

Doo wop rock and roll is the order of business here.

Sharkey Todd - Horror Show

Now, this rock and roller is so much fun. It reminds me a little of “The Munsters” theme at times.          

Frankie Stein and The Ghouls - Knives And Lovers

This instrumental features some smoking hot jamming a lot of screaming.

Casey Jones and The Governors - Jack The Ripper

Bouncy and fun, this is a real old-school stomper with plenty of camp creep style.

Round Robin - I'm The Wolfman

There is a meaty guitar rock vibe to this thing. It’s so much fun.

Henry Mancini and His Orchestra - Spook!

A jazzy instrumental romp, this is so much fun.            

The Jay-Hawks - The Creature (From Outerspace)

A doo wop styled rocker, this one doesn’t work all that well for me.      

Little Gerhard - Rockin' Ghosts

While the lyrics reflect the spooky themes, musically this is a pretty straight vintage rocker. It’s also a really good time. This is one of my favorites here, in part because they don’t try too hard to make the horror connections.

Lord Luther - I Was A Teenage Creature

Now, this goes a little over the top with the screams. The music beyond that is strong and works pretty well.

Pete Drake - The Spook

This guitar based instrumental has a bit of a surf guitar sound to it. It’s a great groove with a lot of style. 

Bo Diddley - Bo Meets The Monster

You can’t go wrong with Bo Diddley. This rocker is a good time with some spooky angles.        

The Regal-Aires - It

I really dig this classy mostly instrumental number. I say mostly because there is a spooky laugh near the end, representing what I guess you could call a voice.          

The Calvanes with The Val Anthony Combo - Horror Pictures

Now, this bouncy tune doesn’t work as well. It’s solid, but not a standout.

Big Bee Kornegay - At The House Of Frankenstein

This is a fun romp that has a bit of that novelty song thing, but also feels meatier than that suggests.         

Dave Gardner - Mad Witch

I don’t really hear a novelty angle to this track. Instead it’s a driving rocker with a prominent percussive element.

Orvin Yoes - The Vampire

The sound of a storm is heard here. The music accompanying has a cool rock and roll vibe.        

Pete Pepper - Purple People Eater, Eater

This turn is bouncy rock and roll with some definite novelty angles. It’s not as fun as the song that inspired it, but it’s still a good tune.         

The Midnighters - Yes, Baby, I'm Scared

Literally a screaming rock and roller, this has its charms but isn’t a stand out.    

Count Stephen - Spooky

A moodier spooky rock song, this works well and does a nice job of ending the set in style.

 
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