The Monochrome Set – Lotus Bridge

Tapete

Incredibly this is the sixth decade of The Monochrome Set‘s existence and although singer and songwriter Bid has been the only constant, this latest in a strong run of albums for Tapete finds the previous album’s trio of Bid Seshadri, keyboardist Athen Ayren and old sparring partner Andy Warren on bass (who also plays with the recently reconvened Would-be-goods) joined by the returning Stephen Gilchrist on drums.

Based on a dream Bid had a couple of years ago, this ten-song cycle has a jaunty lilt to the rhythms that ebb and flow in thrall to his unfurling imagination. There is still a loucheness to the delivery, but the voice is softer now and perhaps because of the subject matter perhaps a little less arch. The whimsical changes of key and Athen’s ethereal electric piano along with Alice Healey‘s backing vocals make for a strong introduction and one that ushers us on a journey with the charming, eccentric stranger we all hope to meet on a monotonous train journey.

The lyrics are lush and unsurprisingly dreamlike, painting obscure yet fascinating images over acoustic guitar and electric piano duets which are supported by Stephen’s ever-eventful drumming and Andy’s wandering effervescent bass. Not many people could get away with basing a song around the word diaphanous but Bid manages, the odd, jazzy rhythm merging with a quaint Eastern motif and lush cinematic sway to concoct a ghostly love story, while there is some serious momentum to the martial drumming of “Jenny Greenlocks” that supports the folky magic of the lyrics. Athen has one song midway through the album that highlights her wordless vocals, the track a drifting lament that takes eases up a little and gives a brief moment of respite from the waterfall of words.

The shuffling drums and urgent bass of “Athanatoi” give the rhythm section a chance to shine, while there is a lovely bass and organ combo on the hip-swinging groove that is “Leander”. The skiffly drums give it an almost rockabilly strut that is a delight to hear. In fact, the drumming is impressive throughout the album, considering the changes in tempo and the twisty time signatures of Bid’s songs and it really lends a rollicking feel good factor. Some of the songs are like conversations set to music and some of the poetry is sublime. I particularly liked “On a tandem made of sonnets stolen from Euterpe’s crown” from “Map Of The Night Sky” and considering it also involves a hare with an abacus, what more could we ask for?

There is a romantic farewell in the vibe of the final track as it eases the tempo a little. The words are measured, a touch of consideration in their delivery, as if the knowledge of the end being in sight has caused a hint of reflection. It is a fine ending to a classy esoteric selection that finds the group in excellent form and still adding quality to The Monochrome Set legacy. Here’s to many more.

-Mr Olivetti-