Formica Blues

Mono

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 10, 1998)
• Original Release Date: February 10, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Fontana Island
• ASIN: B000006MX5
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (86 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #19,000 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  #44 in	Music > Dance & Electronic > Techno
  #78 in	Music > Dance & Electronic > Trip-Hop

Track Listings

1. Life in Mono

2. Silicone

3. Slimcea Girl

4. The Outsider

5. Disney Town

6. The Blind Man

7. High Life

8. Playboys

9. Penguin Freud

10. Hello Cleveland!

11. Life in Mono (Alice Band Mix)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Steeped in placid, retro innocence, the updated sounds of Mono may have you nostalgic for pastel plaid patterns in a tripped-up Brady Bunch groove. Nonetheless, Formica Blues offers plenty of modern tricks that won't leave you hanging on the dance floor reaching for your platform shoes. Oscillating between current trip-hop standards and blameless wanderings, the album presents harpsichord turns, abstract jungle beats, slithering guitar, and spacey whirls. Perhaps the most notable distinction is the dainty female vocals of Siobhan De Maré which suggest influences ranging from St. Etienne to Hooverphonic. On the whole, it's a striking album with enough cross-generational reference to keep the masses cultivated. --Lucas Hilbert

Product Description

The British pop duo's hit debut album coupled with a 10track bonus CD featuring mixes of four of the hit singlesfrom it thus far: two apiece of 'Life In Mono' (BananaRepublic Dub & Propellerheads) and 'Silicone' (Les RhythmesDigitales Mix & Mr Scruff Mix) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars More Coldly Sensual and Smoothly Retro Sounds and Memories, June 14, 2000

By	"liquidink" (St. Louis, Missouri) - See all my reviews

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.

21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars ambient techno has never been so catchy, May 18, 2000

By	"high_life2" (Rockville, MD) - See all my reviews

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.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is one for the collection..., December 22, 1999

By	Vicky (Chicago) - See all my reviews

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!