Monochrome Set
Destiny Always Calls Twice
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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 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. In 1980 the band 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. 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. The band have had a long association with Cherry Red Records - releasing countless well received albums on the Cherry Red and El labels until they disbanded in the mid-1990's. Their recordings remain immensely popular and, the first ever DVD to feature the band, "Destiny Always Calls Twice" will no doubt be snapped up by their devoted fanbase. The DVD consists of a collection of promo and live material originally released on VHS in the early 1990's under the title "Destiny Calling", along with some extremely rare bonus material featuring the band performing in Japan and the USA. Amongst the tracks featured are independent chart top twenty hit "Jacob's Ladder".
Fat Fun / Alphaville / Viva Death Row / Lester Leaps In / The Lighter Side of Dating / The Strange Boutique / B.I.D. Spells Bid / Jacobs Ladder / Cowboy Country / Take Foz / Starry Nowhere / Cowboy Country (live) / Don't Touch / Wallflower / Reach For Your Gun / House Of God / White Lightning Plus Bonus Material: Club Citta - Japan – 1992 / Jacobs Ladder / Cast A Long Shadow / Goodbye Joe / Lester Leaps In / Mating Game M80 Festival - Minneapolis – USA /The Strange Boutique / Eine Symphonie |
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The Independent Singles Collection
cdmred350
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 |
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Eligible Bachelors
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Formed in 1978 from "The B-Sides", whose line-up included Adam Ant, The Monochrome Set recorded for both Rough Trade and Virgin subsidiary Dindisc (see ACME 17CD). "Eligible Bachelors" was their first LP for Cherry Red and along with the singles "Cast A Long Shadow" and "Jet Set Junta" it brought them indie chart sucess.
The Jet Set Junta / I'll Scry Instead / On The 13th Day / Cloud 10 / The Mating Game / March Of The Eligible Bachelors / The Devil Rides Out / Fun For All The Family / The Midas Touch / The Ruling Class / The Great Barrier Riff. |
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Dantes Casino
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A welcome release of The Monochrome Set's 1990 album "Dante's Casino". The Monochrome Set have a long and distinguished career, with a sound that has spanned numerous musical styles, but always with an eccentric art school feel.
Bella Morte / Walking With The Beast / Hate Male / The Wilderness / Golden Waters / House Of God / Up / Mindfield / White Lightning / Reverie |
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The Best Of The Monochrome Set
cdmred174
The Monochrome Set have a long and distinguished career, with a sound that has spanned numerous musical styles, but always with an eccentric, art-school feel. Formed in 1976, the band initially signed for Rough Trade and went on to release material under several labels before returning to an independent label that would share their eclectic pop approach, Cherry Red Records. Included in this complete selection are their indie hit singles "Jacob’s Ladder", "Jet Set Junta", "Cast A Long Shadow" and "He’s Frank."
He’s Frank (Slight Return) / Eine Symphonie Des Grauens / The Monochrome Set / The Strange Boutique / 405 Lines / The Jet Set Junta / The Ruling Class / The Mating Game / Cast A Long Shadow / Jacob’s Ladder / Up / /Jack / Killing Dave / Her Pain / Forever Young / Christine / Milk And Honey / Leather Jacket / I Love Lambeth / Mousetrap / Bliss / Kissy Kissy |
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Volume, Contrast, Brilliance
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A collection of rarities from their earliest recordings. Comprising of A and B sides from their Rough Trade released singles plus extracts from sessions for Radio 1, Capital Radio and EMI Records, this CD contains unique versions of such classic tracks as "The Jet Set Junta" and "He's Frank (Slight Return)".
Eine Symphonie Des Grauens / The Jet Set Junta / Love Zombies / Silicon Carne / The Ruling Class / Viva Death Row / Man With The Black Moustache / He's Frank (Slight Return) / Fun For All The Family / Lester Leaps In / Ici Les Enfants / Fat Fun / Alphaville / Avanti / Reach For Your Gun / Sweet Chariots |
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Compendium - History 1979 - 1995
cdbred128
He’s Frank (Slight Return) / Eine Symphonie Des Grauens / The Monochrome Set / The Strange Boutique / 405 Lines / The Jet Set Junta / The Ruling Class / The Mating Game / Cast A Long Shadow / Jacob’s Ladder / Up / /Jack / Killing Dave / Her Pain / Forever Young / Christine / Milk And Honey / Leather Jacket / I Love Lambeth / Mousetrap / Bliss / Kissy Kissy |
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Trinity Road
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"Trinity Road" is a brand new studio album by The Monochrome Set, their ninth to date. Featuring 15 tracks, the album represents a return to the classic Monochrome Set we all know and love. Taken from the album was the single "I Love Lambeth", a song that concentrates on the band's experiences of London life.
Flamen Dialis / All Over / I Love Lambeth / Kissy Kissy / The Mousetrap / Snake/Fingers / Hula Honey / Albert Bridge / Two Fists / The Wurst Is Yet To Come / The Golden Apples Of The Sun / Hobb's End / Bar Madeira / Bliss / The April Dancer Affair/ |
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Misere
cdbred114
The second of the new albums from the Monochrome Set written and performed by Bid, Andy Warren, Orson Presence, Lester Square and Trevor Reidy. Their distinctive sound pays more than a passing respect to Country especially on the final track "Twang 'em High" where Pedal Steel is provided by Tex Axile.
Milk And Honey / Pauper / Dr. Robinson / Achilles / Leather Jacket / Bed / Handsome Boy / The Ethereal One / UFO / Integrate Me / Twang 'em High. |
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