Customer Reviews

Formica Blues

5 star:		(47)
4 star:		(22)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

It's pretty inevitable that people will compare Mono to Portishead (which I also love) and although I agree with the comparison, I think it would be difficult if not impossible to confuse the one with the other. Mono, unlike Portishead, is much more deeply rooted in pop music of the 1960s, which is incredibly evident in tracks like "Slimcea Girl," "The Outsideres," and "Silicone."

The main track, "Life in Mono," is what initially turned me on to the group, having heard it during a trailer for the Hawke/Paltrow remake of *Great Expectations*. The movie was somewhat of a disappointment, not helped by the fact that they did NOT use "Life in Mono" in the film itself--only during the end credits. Pity, as the beautifully wistful, melancholy track would have suited the film perfectly.

The track gets double play on the album, and it's a tie as to which one is better. The Alice Band Mix is a lot funkier, but perfectly retains the same melancholy, wistful feel of the first track, coming off as if it's the same memory in a different mind.

"Slimcea Girl" is another favorite, sounding like classic Burt Bacharach with a millenium-era edge. Other songs, like "The Outsiders," "Playboys," "Hello Cleveland," "Silicone," and "Penguin Freud" have more of a Portishead feel--blending '60s spy-theme-like music with contemporary electronic elements. "The Blind Man" takes the idea back a bit further and sounds like the updated theme of a '70s detective show.

Keeping this from a 5-star rating are the two tracks, "Disney Town" and "High Life." The former's refrain is just plain annoying, as throughout the album, Siobhan De Mare's wistful vocals get just a little tiresome. Usually, they're made up for by the great music accompanying her (sometimes you just long for that cold, Beth Gibbons edge), but not so in these two tracks. The latter sounds like its from an anti-drug campaign. Enough said.

Regardless, this is a great album and a beautiful one. If you're looking for those not-quite-tangible-memories, but aren't quite satisfied by your Portishead, definitely pick this one up.

After hearing their first single, "Life in Mono" from Great Expectaions, I fell in love with Mono. The erotic and exotic feel of the music and lyrics are mindblowing and mood altering. While smooth and mellow, it is also up-lifting and racey. Their are no words to accurately express the feelings their music arouse. By meshing all different forms and styles of music, Mono has created a truly unique style of their own. Absolutely phenomenal!

I first heard Mono when my roommate played Formica Blues a couple times last year. I wasn't hooked instantly, but it was pretty close. It's probably also worth mentioning that someone I know bought this album after hearing me play it *once*.

The music never hits a fever pitch the way Björk or Portishead might, always wanting to be the perfect background music, but nonetheless you can detect an energy in the sound. This won't swirl your head the way Orbital will -- there's definitely an element of pop here -- but you can't help appreciating the quiet, perfect electronic backing the subdued but enchanting vocals.

The first three tracks of this album are golden. "Life in Mono" is the one everyone knows, and "Silicone" has a very similar sound. My favorite, though, may be "Slimcea Girl". Something about the chorus won't let me go. That fever pitch I mentioned earlier -- maybe it's that.

The rest of the album is merely okay. "High Life" has grown on me, and the alternate version of "Life in Mono" at the end of the album is excellent, but for the most part these aren't tunes that will stick in your mind or paralyze you with their beauty.

The reason I give the album only three stars is that with the exceptions of the first three songs, I really have to be in the mood for this album to fully enjoy it. Fans who have only heard "Life of Mono" probably will be satisfied, but not overjoyed, with the album.

The music on this album is perfect! I have no complaints in the slightest. The moody, perfect mix of synthesizers and acoustic instruments shapes "Formica Blues" into the most unique album I've ever heard. The only thing I don't like about this album is its lack of popularity. But then again, we are the lucky ones, are we not?

British pop duo Mono bring a sad, sweet sensibility to "Formica Blues," their first (and apparently only) album. It only narrowly avoids being bubblegum electronica. Instead it's a vaguely retro trip-hop collection with wistful vocals and melancholy little songs.

A low, thumping bass line pulls into the twittery trip-hop of "Life in Mono," a catchy but unmemorable little song. The tone shifts with the slightly ominous, poppy "Silicone" and the keyboard-led ballad "Slimcea Girl." The album bobs along with songs like the dramatic ("Outsider," the jazzy trip-hop "Blind Man") and the fluffy trip-hop ("Disney Town," pretty little "High Life"), before wrapping up with the bouncy, smoky "Hello Cleveland" and the Alice Band mix of "Life in Mono" with horns and drums.

If an album has "blues" in the title, it's a fair bet that there's something downbeat about it. "Formica Blues" avoids being actually depressing -- it's more the depression of someone who has had their heart broken, and is dealing with it by browsing quaint stores in Europe, smoking in loft apartments and painting little pictures. Sad, but in a way that heals. ("The tree-lined avenue/Begins to fade from view/Drowning past regrets/In tea and cigarettes")

The music itself is a web of keyboards, guitar, "wicked tambourine," and trumpets. Siobhan De Mare's breathy vocals are a nice touch; they're wispy but pretty. And the songwriting is most solid when it focuses on heartbreak, as in "Slimcea Girl" and "Life in Mono." When a more upbeat tone is taken ( as in "Disney Town" and "High Life") the vocals seem to be flatter, and the melodies merely sound like downtempo bubblegum pop. Fortunately, they don't stay in happy territory for long.

With a bit of retro-60s flavor and a bit of acid jazz mixed in, Mono's "Formica Blues" is an ethereal little Euro-trip-hop album. It won't heal a broken heart, but it's nice to listen to as you start to get over it.

The first time I heard this record, I knew I would play it a lot. It is one of those you can listen to over and over again, and you will never get tired of it. You can be happy, you can be sad, you can do dishes, you can read a book, you can eat, you can make love, you can do anything listening to this record. I thought no music could ever move me like this (talking "this kind of music") since Portishead, but I was wrong. If you like Portishead, if you like Morcheeba, if you like Hooverphonic, if you like Perry Blake, you will love Mono too. Buy it, don't hesitate.

Of all the music that's been released in a similiar vein-- that is, atmospheric pop influenced by electronic ambience, Burt Bacharach, the French-- this CD is far and away my favorite. In a peer group that includes Hooverphonic, Air, Portishead, the Aluminum Group, The Starseeds, Soma Sonic, Spool, Stereolab and Dionne Warwick, Mono sits firmly at the head of the class.

Mono, Garbage, and Portishead. In my opinion you either love them all or hate them all. If you like Portishead or Garbage I think you'll love Mono too. This is one of my favorite CD's. It combines style, feeling, and and calmness to form a totally unique style of its own.

I absolutely LOVE Mono!! The part French/English songs make it sound extra erotic. I can't find a group like this anywhere else. I just wish they would have more then 1 CD out.

I seem to always be the late bloomer when it comes to what's hot--the Hotel Costes series, Massive Attack, DJ Shadow, BOC, Radiohead, and a couple of other folks--and now I've recently discovered MONO who have been out since 1996...Although you couldn't tell that "Formica Blues" is that old by the albums very contemporary and up-to-date sound. At any rate, this CD floored me at first listen with (...) vocals from super siren, Siobhan De Mar? and outstanding production from hip cat, Martin Virgo. MONO has of course been compared to other more well-knowns of this genre (albeit needlessly). The difference in MONO and others of their ilk is they're more accessible and have a purer sound. Their music isn't overdone or distorted beyond recognition. There's emotion in the music and lyrics that range from sensuous to joyous to melancholic to uplifting. It's hard to pass up a song on "Formica Blues" which is a testament that MONO has put out a pretty solid debut! Highly Recommended!!