Album Review: The Monochrome Set – Allhallowtide
The Monochrome Set left behind their punk trappings years ago; these days Bid employs a vast sonic palette to craft fetching, sophisticated music that draws from English Music hall as much as anything else. In that regard he deserves to be though of a peer with singular, idiosyncratic artists like Elvis Costello. His pop songwriting and arrangement values give his songs a sweeping, cinematic character that’s breathtakingly exciting.
It may not be at all clear to the listener what a song such as “Ballad of the Flaming Man” is going on about, but it’s thrilling nonetheless. There’s a classic country vibe underpinning “My Deep Shoreline,” one that subtly recalls Nick Lowe. And Martin Denny-style exotica gently informs “Moon Garden.” The distinctive combo organ that runs through “Really in the Wrong Town” places one foot in sixties garage, the other in the modern indie rock world. “Box of Sorrows” is melancholy, waltzing chamber pop with spooky, wordless vocals. Allhallowtide is musically unified and wildly eclectic all at once.
Allhallowtide is the latest creative bullseye-hit in a long string of must-have records from The Monochrome Set.
About the Author
Bill Kopp
With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. After a stint as Editor-in-chief for a national music magazine, Bill launched Musoscribe in 2009, and has published new content every business day since then (and every single day since 2018). The 4000-plus interviews, essays, and reviews on Musoscribe reflect Bill's keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz, and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill's work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance (including monthly events Music to Your Ears and Music Movie Mondays), and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts. In Spring 2023 he is co-teaching a history of Rock 'n' Roll at UNC Asheville's College for Seniors. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues -- more than 30 to date -- and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's final album. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, was published in 2021 by HoZac Books. His third book, What's the Big Idea: 40 Great Concept Albums will be published in 2024. Read even more about him here.