What does it sound like?:
The Monochrome Set have their roots in the early days of post-punk art school rock, and share similar DNA with semi contemporaries Wire – all too post-modern and post- ironic to wear pirate outfits but still very clever, clever. And good. Their work is beloved by a select band of OK people – and a few annoying ones. Also one of the few bands (I think) since the Monkees to have their own eponymous theme song – which is a brilliant way to come on stage – “I entertain your tiny brain so spuriously”.
Latest album Cosmonaut is the highpoint of a late blossoming career revival given added impetus by singer Bid’s stroke a few years ago. Since the departure of alt.guitar hero Lester Square (is that really a vibrator he’s using?) extra musical duties have been shared with key board player JP Moran – who looks a bit scary (but not as scary as his previous band Rapid Pig). Andy Warren’s bass playing is as impassive as ever. Includes vocal contributions from Alice Healey who graced some of the early output from Bid’s other project the even more whimsical “Scarlet’s Well” and Jessica from the delicious “Would-be-Goods”
As ever the songs are semi-nonsensical reveries, baroque pop, with a twang and a raised eyebrow – “Stick your hand up if you’re louche”. If Aubrey Beardsley made records…they’d be nothing like this – but he might love TMS – who couldn’t?.
What does it all *mean*?
The art school dance goes on forever – they are touring so catch up on the back catalogue.
Goes well with…
take your pick
Release Date:
Might suit people who like…
Theramins, Wire, Franz Ferdinand, Wave Pictures, Divine Comedy, Scarlet’s Well, Would-be-Goods, Monkees, Brigitte Helm, you know who…
I know I’ve posted this before but wth..