Decent debut LP by psychedelic art rockers The Monochrome Set, Peter Saville, moonlighting from Factory Records, sorts out the sleeve artwork. Text ripped from allmusic.com.
When the British art-school punk band the B-Sides changed their name and direction to become Adam & the Ants, guitarist/vocalist Bid and guitarist Lester Square opted out to form their own group, the Monochrome Set. Founded in London in 1978, the band (also comprised of ex-Gloria Mundi and Mean Street bassist Jeremy Harrington and former Art Attacks drummer J.D. Crowe) was quickly snapped up by the Rough Trade label, and during 1979 issued three singles — “He’s Frank,” “Eine Symphonie des Grauens,” and their signature number, “Monochrome Set” — all completely different in content and stylistic approach.
After former B-Sides bassist Andy Warren grew tired of life in Adam & the Ants, he rejoined bandmates Bid and Square, replacing Harrington. In 1980 the Monochrome Set released their debut album, the cabaret-flavored Strange Boutique, followed later that year by the singles “405 Lines” and “Apocalypso” as well as another, more accessible full-length effort, Love Zombies. Complete with new guitarist Foz, keyboardist Caroline Booth, and drummer Nick Wesolowski, they returned in 1982 with a cleaner, more melodic sound on the LP Eligible Bachelors; “The Jet Set Junta,” a satiric jab at the Falklands Islands conflict, became a significant hit the next year.
Reviews for ‘Strange Boutique’
NME (UK): “It’s like hearing serenades coming up from the sewers. The Monochrome Set are a dark blend of oppressive mystique and appealing conceit, offering elegant entertainment with troublesome undercurrents. Their stock-in-trade is old fashioned romance, subtly disrupted and re-presented with the sinister ritual of a subterranean cult.”
Sounds (UK) [album of the month]: “…for once, believe it or not, I actually wish a lyric sheet had been provided…[Lester’s] contributions are frequently dazzling…a very, very strong album which I’m sure I’ll be unravelling and enjoying for a long time to come. It’s a fine perversion.”
Martin C
April 22, 2009 at 10:41 pmHey, thanks for this – really dig most of the old MC stuff, especially the “Symphonie des Grauens” and “Alphaville” 7″s. Even if they did become bland and naff from ’82 onwards.
Would be interested to know what most anarchos thought of them, I’m guessing they weren’t too popular because of the mannered vocals, poppy style and relatively apolitical lyrics…?
kperry
April 23, 2009 at 1:44 amI always enjoyed listening to them not your typical pops stuff. was something a little off kilter about them that I seemed to enjoy
John No Last Name
April 23, 2009 at 5:50 pmgreat band, always smart and funny.
miguelitolovelace
April 23, 2009 at 9:07 pmnice release
reminds us when we were young
cheers from france !!!!!!
fetchampunk
April 24, 2009 at 2:12 pmOh how I so much miss this band x
Michael Layne Heath
April 26, 2009 at 12:22 amI’ll second fetchampunk’s emotion. Lucky enough to see them at the 930 Club in Wash DC back in the day, their one and only US tour.