Suave; debonair; sophisticated. Haughty, perhaps, for those who favour the pejorative. Aristocratic in more than one sense, classy in at least as many. The Monochrome Set were effortlessly inventive, literate, poised and immaculate of tuneage, possessed of an internal dialogue as a band that allowed them to surf their own narrative.
They were just unlike anything else, in layman s terms. Instead, their sound harked back to a golden era of British pop songwriters. But there was nothing retrogressive about their endeavors. Instead they wrote songs that recreated the drama and promise of a Pearl & Dean interval theme, veering from lullaby to mambo to harmonic pop, accompanied by lush melodies and irresistibly playful lyrics that embraced morbidity at one extreme, and pitch-perfect satire at another..
Brand new release of Monochrome Set s complete independent singles collection including b-sides and rare tracks Norman Cook aka Fatboy Slim, a long-term fan of the band, has recorded a cover of He s Frank with guest vocals by Iggy Pop and indeed this version has already been broadcast in Heroes.
He s Frank / Alphaville / Eine Symphonie Des Grauens / Lester Leaps In / The Monochrome Set / Mr Bizzaro / He S Frank (Slight Return) / Silicon Carne / Fallout / The Mating Game / j.d.h.a.n.e.y. / Cast A Long Shadow / The Bridge / Jet Set Junta / Love Goes Down The Drain / Killing Dave / House Of God (Live) / Sweet Death / Forever Young / Hurting You / Little Noises / I Love Lambeth / Kissy Kissy / All Over / Closing Time
