.357 Lover is a hard band to get a handle on. The band is a project of Corn Mo (born Jon Cunningham) when he is not performing as a solo artist. Their new album: “Diorama of the Golden Lion,” was released in October by Hi Monkey Music. They are a band of many styles and influences and are accomplished enough musicians that they can pull off nearly everything they try, including a passable vaudevillian two-step (‘Thank You’), great big glam rock a la Rocky Horror Picture Show (‘Time Cop’), and a melodic ballad ('Diorama of the Golden Lion').

Corn Mo writes songs about universal Middle American themes like wedgies in junior high, pretty girls from Kentucky, and going out for ice cream. He also breaks out some obscure and esoteric topics like space adventures and the dangers of night school. Then, of course, he ranges into melodic weirdness with songs like ‘German Lady Special’ and the hilarious ‘Hava Nagilah Monster.’

The eclectic mix of styles and some of the guitar work make me think of Queen. The goofy lyrics and Corn Mo’s keyboard work make me think of Phish. Sadly, the campy take on every style makes me think of Dr. Demento. Ultimately, that is what lost me. The music on “Diorama of the Golden Lion” is good, but .357 Lover never takes a serious swing at anything; the entire album is campy. Sure Phish throws out weird songs like ‘Weigh,’ but on the same album they craft the beautiful ‘Fast Enough for You.’ Queen might serve up a ridiculous song like ‘Seaside Rendezvous,’ but they follow it with the very serious ‘Prophet’s Song.’ Even bands like They Might Be Giants who live in that space craft the occasional serious if quirky song (‘Withered Hope,’ ‘Your Racist Friend’).

Corn Mo and company serve up gag song after gag song and though they show flashes of good songsmithing and sharp technique, the silly kernel of every song is distracting. I would like to see them live. I would imagine the shows are impressive and if I could be taken on a journey by the band, I might really enjoy the extra helpings of goofiness. In my living room, though, I started listening for what the joke was going to be in each song and as with any joke, I liked this album more the first time through than I did the second and third.

The songs on "Diorama of the Golden Lion" are fun, and perhaps my criticism is unfair, but when it came right down to it, though I tagged a few songs for repeated listens, I didn't wind up ripping any of them to my iPod.