THE ELUSIVE MONKEYS

Band: The Blow Monkeys.

Personnel: Dr. Robert, vocals, guitar; Mick Anker, bass; Antony Kiley, drums; Neville Henry, saxophone.

History: In the late ‘70s, Dr. Robert was living in Australia, contributing acoustic guitar to a group of aborigines who played native wind instruments--the ensemble was given the somewhat racist nickname “blow monkeys.” Robert kept that name for the band he formed when he moved to England in 1980. The group released its first independent single, “In Cold Blood,” in 1982. Word-of-mouth about the group’s live performances led to the band’s signing with RCA in England in 1983. The band released a single, “Go Public,” in early 1984, and followed it with two more critically acclaimed singles and the 1984 debut album, “Limping for a Generation.” The group has since done two headlining European tours, issued an EP, “Forbidden Fruit” (which was recently released in America by RCA) and has finished a new album, “Animal Magic.”

Sound: A very mixed bag. The Monkeys can ape the modern English romantic jangly-pop style of groups like Orange Juice and Lloyd Cole & the Commotions, or slip into a reggae-meets-Stax melange like the group’s S&M; song from the recent EP “Sweet Murder” (which features Jamaican rapper Eek-a-Mouse). Dr. Robert’s quavering, floating vocals have reminded some critics of Marc Bolan, though Robert claims his greatest influences are Elvis Presley and Tom Jones. (Robert has recorded a version of Jones’ “It’s Not Unusual.”) Spacey yet rooted by some intense funk and soul borrowings, the Blow Monkey style is an eclectic mixture of earthy rhythmic impulses and liquid melodies, and their sometimes epic music is alternately compelling in its sweeping, soaring scope and maddening in its elusiveness.

Shows: Friday, the Palace.