Monochrome Set - Cosmonaut

by Tony Gaughan

published: 6 / 9 / 2016

Label: Tapete Records
Format: CD

intro

Brilliant comeback album from durable London-based post-punks, the Monochrome Set

'Cosmonaut' is the thirteenth studio album of the legendary North London act the Monochrome Set, their fourth in the last five years. With the stalwart Lester Square now having departed, the band were faced with the task of moving on without one of the original and mainstay members, perhaps their biggest loss since Adam Ant (Stuart Goddard) in their art school predecessors, the B Sides . Title track 'Cosmonaut' opens with a haunting theremin and witty lyrics, and a tale from the other side (Perhaps dedicated to Lester or Stuart?). 'Suddenly Last Autumn' follows complete with a cooking lesson mid- song. Clearly the band have influenced many over the decades, most notably Morrisey and the Smiths and Neil Hannon's the Divine Comedy which shines through in this release from the opener to the closing 'Lost in my Own Room, Dreaming'. There is plenty of comedy in the writing particularly in the quirky and hilariously-titled 'Squirrel in a Hat'. 'Cosmonaut' is packed with clever lyrics, jangling guitars and swirling keys. It has a very early Postcard Records vibe both in style and nature, and perhaps a tip of the hat to the iconic Scottish label. 'Stick Your Hands Up if Your Louche' continues the theme of strange lyrics, but pick of the bunch is the fantastic 'Fele'. A brilliant return for the Hornsey indie Gods .

Track Listing:-

1 Cosmonaut
2 Suddenly, Last Autumn
3 Squirrel In A Hat
4 Put It On The Altar
5 Tigress
6 Stick Your Hand Up If You're Louche
7 Fêlé
8 Kingfisher Blue
9 Monkey Suitcase
10 Lost In My Own Room, Dreaming

Band Links:-

http://www.themonochromeset.co.uk/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monochrome_Set
https://www.facebook.com/themonochromeset
https://twitter.com/themonoset

Label Links:-

http://www.tapeterecords.de/
https://www.facebook.com/tapeterecords
https://twitter.com/tapete
https://www.youtube.com/user/tapeterecords/videos

interviews

Interview (2002)

Eclectic and enigmatic, the UK's Monochrome Set have been the focus of many legends and myths. Tommy Gunnarsson speaks to its ironic and teasing frontman Bid about the group's twenty year history

live reviews

(with the Hepburns and Karen), Thunderbolt, Bristol, 17/3/2018

Dixie Ernill watches the Monochrome Set and Karen bookend a fine evening of skewed indie on a wintry night in Bristol.

favourite album

The Lost Weekend (2015)

In our 'Re:View' section, in which we look back at albums from the past, Tommy Gunnarsson listens to 'The Lost Weekend', the Monochrome Set's 1985 would-be chart-topper, and also their last album during their first period as a band, which has just been re-released on CD