'Folk rock' is one of those descriptive couplets that send shivers down the spines of most right-minded music aficionados, but in the early 90's Levellers gave the genre a much-needed shot in the arm. And while da Levs are still going strong, its nice to see another band come along and give an equally good account of themselves.3 Daft Monkeys are a Cornish three-piece (go figure) mixing fiddle, 12-string and bass with a foot drum and some fine male/female vocals. Tim Ashton's vocal has a definite Levs edge, as does his 12-string sound, and the song's themes are typically Levellers too: back-to-the-land whimsy, anti-corporate statements and tales from the road. That said, it's good stuff, if a little predictable.But what sets them a good way apart from their well-established mates (the two bands have toured together) is the wonderful vocals and pan-European fiddle styles of Athene Roberts. Where Levellers go for the rock out jig fest, 3 Daft Monkeys are more about smart harmonies, sexy polkas and gypsy flourishes, alongside some rip-roaring dance tunes taking in influences from a variety of world and folk sounds. But holding it all in place is a wonderful sense of Englishness. If you're familiar with the lesser known and sadly defunct New Cranes, you'll be getting the idea. They don't turn it up to 11 though; when things are this infectious, there's no real need too.It certainly isn’t perfect, however. The verses become a little stagnant at times, with some idle strumming seemingly bereft of a purpose other than to fill a hole behind the vocals, but every time a chorus comes around again you’re back on your feet. Live, 3 Daft Monkeys are impossible not to move too; the sheer exuberance and fun refuse to be ignored. Luckily, they do a good job of capturing this energy in the studio too, harnessing the electricity of the band's live shows in a CD-sized morsel. If you like to bounce around a field to a lively fiddle tune, this could well be the album you whirl the summer away listening too. 82%Links 3 Daft Monkeys [official site] [myspace]