In the world of independent pop, The Monochrome Set are an institution. Formed in the white heat of the late 70s post-punk scene, they issued a string of memorable albums awash with cute hooks, jangly guitars and singer Bid’s inimitable vocal style, inspiring the likes of The Smiths and the whole C86 generation. After recording for Rough Trade, DinDisc and Cherry Red, the band disbanded around 1986. However, they returned in style at the start of the new decade with a new album, Dante’s Casino (on Vinyl Japan). Clearly energised with a new lease of life, the Monochromes then returned to Cherry Red and duly followed with roughly a new collection of songs every year, before again going into remission in 1995. Fully supported by the band, Little Noises revisits this fecund period in the long and fascinating history of The Monochrome Set – who are still going strong, to this day. Only Dante’s Casino has been reissued on CD before and all have long been unavailable. Bonus tracks from accompanying singles have been added, where relevant. Housed in an attractive capacity wallet package with a plush booklet boasting sleeve-notes by journalist Michael White (with fresh quotes from the band), Little Noises shines a light on a memorable era, which yielded Monochromes classics such as the 1993 single ‘Forever Young’ and their ode to the South London district, ‘I Love Lambeth’.
