The Reverend Horton Heat is one of those bands that are unbelievably frustrating to try and explain. The music is too hyperactive to be country, but it’s too country to be rock and roll. Revival, their eighth full length album and Yep Roc Records debut is a record store employee’s worst nightmare because it doesn’t really belong in an established section.

The Dallas trio’s bio calls them “perpetual carriers of the rockabilly crowd,” “genre-smashing shit-starters,” and “the most electrifying live act in America.” Bold words, for sure, but does the good Reverend’s latest effort live up to the hype?

Well, yes and no.

To the longtime RHH fan or rockabilly aficionado, Revival probably has the characteristics of a really good record. They stay true-to-form and do what they do best. However, to a first-time or casual listener, there is not a lot of longevity in those 40 minutes.

It’s easy to see that all three members of the band are very talented musicians, and they have a broad range of influences from old-school rock and roll to country to blues. However, this album just seems to be a 40-minute cliché. During the first listen, all the songs immediately sound familiar.

“The Happy Camper,” the album’s opener, is an upbeat, energetic instrumental that could very well be the soundtrack to a tractor pull at the county fair. Its twangy guitars and rapid-fire drums give a preview of what’s to come.

However, when the Reverend, aka Jim Heath, starts singing, his stock begins to plummet.

With song titles like “Honkey Tonk Girl,” “I’m Your Pet Rock,” and “Callin’ In Twisted,” the listener has a fair warning of the goofiness that lies ahead. It’s still surprising how cheesy the lyrics really are. Take this sample from “New York Girls” for instance:

“In New York City, girls are pretty, Man I gotta get me one. In New York City, girls have style, and they’re a lot of fun. And they’re a lot of fun. And they’re a lot of fun. And they’re a lot of fun.”

That’s a pretty good representation of the lyrics for the whole album. The songs aren’t even arranged very interestingly; these guys have the AABB rhyme scheme mastered.

There are a few serious moments on the record. For instance “Someone in Heaven,” located in the middle of the disc, is about Heath’s mother, who suddenly passed away earlier this year. It is straight-up old-school country; slow and depressing with heartfelt lyrics, which makes it stand out like a sore thumb amongst the other almost childish songs.

All in all, it seems that Revival is a misleading title. The band should have named this record “The Same Stuff We’ve Been Doing for the Past Twenty Years.” The Reverend’s loyal following will be pumped on this record, but he won’t be making any new fans.

If crazy, lighthearted, rockabilly sounds tempting, The Revered Horton Heat will be at Marrz on Sept. 14. Call 910-342-0505 for ticket information.