Today we give thanks to the Guardian music blog, not just for hosting extended lists of songs vaguely related to intangible concepts and the nonsensical rantings of Alan McGee, but for giving me an excuse to post a bunch of videos by the Monochrome Set.
The Monochrome Set have everything you would want in a post-punk act—limited success, catchy songs, single releases on an influential label (Rough Trade), famous fans (Morrissey, Marr, Alex from Franz Ferdinand). Plus they’re just a really enjoyable band, even if their discography is hopelessly confusing and they seem to reform every few years for the sole purpose of perplexing their fans. If you can find their 1997 best-of Chaps, you’re in for a good time.
“Jet Set Junta”:
“He’s Frank”:
“Eine Symphonie des Grauens”:
—and on a mildly related note, here’s the Jon Brion/Jason Falkner powerpop project The Grays covering “He’s Frank”:
The Monochrome Set [MySpace]
@Ned Raggett:
Tick tock go the deathwatch beetles in El Presidente’s swill
Pop pop goes the Cliquot magnum at the reading of the will
Swish swish go the snakeskin wallets stuffed with cruziero bills
The forthcoming BPA album has Iggy Pop covering “He’s Frank”!
“The
Monochrome Set
Monochrome Set
Monochrome Se-e-e-et!”
As they sing.
Actually we should turn this into a random posting of favored lyrics. Thus:
“I’m dead and dank and rotten
My arms are wrapped in cotton
My corpse loves you, let’s marry…”
@Ned Raggett:
She’s so debonair, she’s a manic depressive
She’s a millionaire, and her bills are excessive
Eine Symphonie des Grauens
The first song I ever smoked pot to…
One of my favourites of ALL TIME!!!!!!
@sydbarrett05: Is that the same song Lida Husik did? My computer’s soundless today…
@bcapirigi:
Yes it is…
Instrumentally sounds really close…