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Mono (UK) — Silicone
Album: Formica Blues
Avg rating:
6.9

Your rating:
Total ratings: 633









Released: 1997
Length: 4:01
Plays (last 30 days): 0
So many times, I've tried to make you understand
You never tried to see behind my smile

If I didn't know you like I do,
I'd let you into the secret in me
Just because I'm good at fooling you
When no one's around, I walk in your shoes

I'm smiling while lying to you
I'm smiling while lying to you
If you only knew...

I always try to hide behind a painted smile
So many things the public never sees

If I didn't know you like I do,
I'd let you into the secret in me
Just because I'm good at fooling you
When no one's around, I walk in your shoes

I'm smiling while lying to you
I'm smiling while lying to you
When will you see through?

I'm smiling while lying to you
I'm smiling while lying to you
If you only knew...

I'm smiling while lying to you
Won't you soon see through?
I'm smiling while lying to you
If you only knew...

I'm smiling while lying to you
Would you concede my smile?
I'm smiling while lying to you
If you only knew...
Comments (92)add comment
Sounds very similar to Supreme Beings Of Leisure
Agree.
I rated withan 8. They are good.

kcar wrote:

Sounds a lot like Hooverphonic to me...

 


After this song I have to listen, whitesnake-fool for your lovin'.
Not bad!
 DaidyBoy wrote:
The lawyers are on the phone as we speak.....  something to do with "Milk"

 
They don't have much of a case.
I first heard Mono music used in the 1998 film version of Great Expectations.  Soon after, this album was in my collection and was transferred to cassette for play in the car.  As I recall it featured at least two or three other memorable tracks.  Then as my cassette collection became obsolete, I had almost forgotten about Mono.  Thank you Bill for bringing back good memories by playing this song.  Radio Paradise is the only place that I've heard this band since.
This just came on and I said to myself "Ooh, what's this? I'll have to got to RP website, get info, comment and rate"
Turns out I've already heard it and rated it(7).
I must now bump to 8. :-)

(edit) OK, I'm  a real knucklehead. I just scrolled though the comments and found that I've done these same exact actions once  before!
I'm totally creeped out now.
Sorry. I like this. 
 DaidyBoy wrote:
The lawyers are on the phone as we speak.....  something to do with "Milk"

 

Why so sour?
The lawyers are on the phone as we speak.....  something to do with "Milk"
 DaidyBoy wrote:
I thought this was a cover of something by Garbage, mixed with other familiar styles

  Highly processed "cheese food product" music - "cooked, cubed and returned to water before you're ready!"


I thought this was a cover of something by Garbage, mixed with other familiar styles
 theking2 wrote:
Portishead?
 
Sounds a lot like Hooverphonic to me...
{#Motor} Lots of open road.
Meh. More meaningless, high-production 'music'. Vocals commissioned by technicians, no doubt.
 
Portishead?
 

oh, someone else mentioned that, duh.
30 seconds or so in, I know this is a song I'm gonna' like. For whatever crazy reason.

Appropriate name 'MONO'  as thats all it is ... but not even worthy of a 1, Apologies for the negative comment but I had to look up who was responsible. Not often I hit the Off button here on RP but this is one of them.Truely Yucksville.


 handyrae wrote:
A fried egg.....a fried egg.
 
LOL !!!!!  I actually quite like this song but when I read the comment WTF!!!!! still a good 7 for me........
A song used in the show "La Femme Nikita". Love it. :)
Love this song, been a fav for a long time.
Nice flow ... has aged gracefully ... love (what sounds like) a harpsichord in the background ... what about that jazzy bass ... cheers ... {#Cheers} 
I didn't catch the whole tune but it sounded similar to Cibo Matto to me.  And that's not a bad thing...
I love how this song feels.  This really is a great album too.
check out "Mono" from Japan - very impressive postrock band!
nice
A fried egg.....a fried egg.
 More_Cowbell wrote:
Portishead?  No?

 
Same country and same time period.  There were a lot of comparisons of Mono to Portishead back in those days (i.e., use of film-track samples, odd sound effects).
One of my favorite albums
I concur. fredriley wrote:

It's strongly reminiscent of Hooverphonic, who also sound like Portishead meet Massive Attack. Nice stuff. Not quite as musically complex as Hooverphonic, but still worth a 7 from the Nottingham jury.

 


Mono...Silicone...Formica Blues. {#Ask} Hmmmm....I'm going to the hardware store.
I was surprised to learn that Burt Bacharach and Hal David (among others) wrote this song. I have missed so much good music, stereotyping artists. Thank you (again!) RP.
Good song, good performance. 7
Great...  now my co-workers think I'm either falling asleep or on something...  I'm sitting here swaying a little with the music.  Dammit.
trip hop at it's best...

Another type of mono ... Mono Project {#Devil_pimp}


Never heard this.
I like it. 
Edit: just looked back at the comments and apparently I HAVE heard this before...and didn't like it so much.
I guess mood and situation have much to do with it. 
 Imkirok wrote:

La Femme Nikita used to be in syndication on the Oxygen network.  Haven't seen re-runs anywhere lately.  Does anyone know if it's still on?
(Great show, great music.)
 
It was cancelled after the fourth season. There was a campaign to bring it back for "closure," and WB dubiously gave it eight episodes, with limited appearances by various cast members. All five seasons are on DVD now, and are pretty much intact, except for one song that the artist refused to allow, so a substitution had to be made.

If it's in syndication anywhere, I have yet to see it... WB totally mishandled that series from the start - no promotion, and when they were contacted regarding the cancellation, they responded with, "Do we have that one?" When it was airing, WB and USA Network tossed blame back and forth - neither claimed to have any responsibility for it. It was a great show that, unfortunately, fell through the cracks because of network ignorance.

Sorry - LFN is a pet love of mine - I was involved with the online rescue for a fifth season. I guess that makes me a good/bad guy. {#Lol}
 Cynaera wrote:
Oooo - straight out of "La Femme Nikita."  That's where I first heard this song.  Rent the DVDs of "La Femme Nikita" and even if you don't watch the show, listen to the music.  You'll hear Rhea's Obsession, Mono, Rob Zombie, Semisonic, and a zillion other artists (mostly Canadian) who contributed songs to the five seasons of the series. Goooooood stuff. Gaze, Prodigy, Juno Reactor, Les Jumeaux, P. J. Harvey, Neko Case, Mandalay, Chainsuck, Big Sugar, Beth Orton, Filter, David Silvian, Rose Chronicles, In the Nursery, Stereolab, Cream, Autour de Lucie, Gus Gus, Philosopher Kings...

That show opened a whole new world of music for me. I met a few of the vital forces behind it, and Sean Callery (who did the music for "24") was amazing.  I danced to Rhea's Obsession as they played, and Sue autographed my CD - they're such an amazing band!

Yeah, LFN is still a big part of my life, though the show was totally mismanaged by WB. At one point, I called to inquire about the status of the series, and was told, "Is that one of ours?" GUH!

Sorry to ramble - I got finished with my work day, am done with my household chores, and I guess I'm sort of rejoicing that I actually have time to write here.

Hugs to all the RPeeps, no matter your musical tastes. Variety is the spice of life, y'know... {#Jump}
 
La Femme Nikita used to be in syndication on the Oxygen network.  Haven't seen re-runs anywhere lately.  Does anyone know if it's still on?
(Great show, great music.)


 Cynaera wrote:
Oooo - straight out of "La Femme Nikita."  That's where I first heard this song.  Rent the DVDs of "La Femme Nikita" and even if you don't watch the show, listen to the music.  You'll hear Rhea's Obsession, Mono, Rob Zombie, Semisonic, and a zillion other artists (mostly Canadian) who contributed songs to the five seasons of the series. Goooooood stuff. Gaze, Prodigy, Juno Reactor, Les Jumeaux, P. J. Harvey, Neko Case, Mandalay, Chainsuck, Big Sugar, Beth Orton, Filter, David Silvian, Rose Chronicles, In the Nursery, Stereolab, Cream, Autour de Lucie, Gus Gus, Philosopher Kings...

That show opened a whole new world of music for me. I met a few of the vital forces behind it, and Sean Callery (who did the music for "24") was amazing.  I danced to Rhea's Obsession as they played, and Sue autographed my CD - they're such an amazing band!

Yeah, LFN is still a big part of my life, though the show was totally mismanaged by WB. At one point, I called to inquire about the status of the series, and was told, "Is that one of ours?" GUH!

Sorry to ramble - I got finished with my work day, am done with my household chores, and I guess I'm sort of rejoicing that I actually have time to write here.

Hugs to all the RPeeps, no matter your musical tastes. Variety is the spice of life, y'know... {#Jump}
 
I immediately thought of Nikita as well. One of my favorite series of all time, and the soundtrack from it is phenomenal.

 nerakdon wrote:
I like the music, but the overtones are a bit alarming.  Hopefully Nina won't put a spell on me...
 
exactly. I was afraid of the same thing!

I like the music, but the overtones are a bit alarming.  Hopefully Nina won't put a spell on me...
Oooo - straight out of "La Femme Nikita."  That's where I first heard this song.  Rent the DVDs of "La Femme Nikita" and even if you don't watch the show, listen to the music.  You'll hear Rhea's Obsession, Mono, Rob Zombie, Semisonic, and a zillion other artists (mostly Canadian) who contributed songs to the five seasons of the series. Goooooood stuff. Gaze, Prodigy, Juno Reactor, Les Jumeaux, P. J. Harvey, Neko Case, Mandalay, Chainsuck, Big Sugar, Beth Orton, Filter, David Silvian, Rose Chronicles, In the Nursery, Stereolab, Cream, Autour de Lucie, Gus Gus, Philosopher Kings...

That show opened a whole new world of music for me. I met a few of the vital forces behind it, and Sean Callery (who did the music for "24") was amazing.  I danced to Rhea's Obsession as they played, and Sue autographed my CD - they're such an amazing band!

Yeah, LFN is still a big part of my life, though the show was totally mismanaged by WB. At one point, I called to inquire about the status of the series, and was told, "Is that one of ours?" GUH!

Sorry to ramble - I got finished with my work day, am done with my household chores, and I guess I'm sort of rejoicing that I actually have time to write here.

Hugs to all the RPeeps, no matter your musical tastes. Variety is the spice of life, y'know... {#Jump}
Portishead?  No?

Good song, but not from the Mono I wished it was...*sigh*

 Proclivities wrote:
I think it's quite likable.  I understand the comparisons, but Trip Hop/Techno-Lounge stuff (especially with female vocals) may all sound alike to those who either are not well-acquainted with it or simply dislike it, however, this is still a good song IMHO.

 

I like it too...I have this CD somewhere in my library...gotsta pull this puppy out again.

I think it's quite a likeable tune.  I understand the comparisons, but Trip Hop/Techno-Lounge stuff (especially with female vocals) may all sound alike to those who either are not well-acquainted with it or simply dislike it, however, this is still a good song IMHO.


I reckon I like it OK, uhmmm hmmm....

 
 electronicshaman wrote:
I really like mono, but... is it Massivehead or Portis Attack?
 
It is Massive Morcheeheadphonic.

Not bad, but it really sounds like all those bands in a blender.

fredriley wrote:
It's strongly reminiscent of Hooverphonic, who also sound like Portishead meet Massive Attack. Nice stuff. Not quite as musically complex as Hooverphonic, but still worth a 7 from the Nottingham jury.
Who's on this jury? Curious. Do they sell their souls to network TV as in the U-S? Or do they remain anonymous as in Canada? Any hung? Oh, as soon as I typed that in, I knew I was in trouble. Forget it. 


{#Sunny}
 lunar1963 wrote:
It is much lighter than Portishead and Massive Attack, sometimes almost 60s French... Very sexy, and the best 2 Euro that I've ever spent!
 
It's strongly reminiscent of Hooverphonic, who also sound like Portishead meet Massive Attack. Nice stuff. Not quite as musically complex as Hooverphonic, but still worth a 7 from the Nottingham jury.

 More_Cowbell wrote:
Sade wanna be
 
Hooverphonic with a new singer?

Sade wanna be
this kind of sounds like a Britney Spears tune without all the effluence.

A favorite album. Got a lot of airplay when I used to spend a lot of time driving, especially at night.
It is much lighter than Portishead and Massive Attack, sometimes almost 60s French... Very sexy, and the best 2 Euro that I've ever spent!
electronicshaman wrote:
I really like mono, but... is it Massivehead or Portis Attack?
It's plainly influenced by both. To me it sounded like Hooverphonic at first. 6 -> 7, with a further rise anticipated.
This song is nice and trippy-hoppy, but I for one would like to hear some Mono. Post-rock rules!
For those that remember the show, this song was on "La Femme Nikita" in the mid-nineties.
xkolibuul wrote:
Unspellable like smorgasbord?
Or Smörgåsbord?
Unspellable like smorgasbord? kindermanltd wrote:
It's like a shmorgushborg of un spellable music.
I really like mono, but... is it Massivehead or Portis Attack?
Mindscrape wrote:
Yeah, at first I thought it was a Portishead song I had not heard, but I like it.
Never mind Portishead - the singer's voice isn't tortured and anguished enough. I thought it was Hooverphonic at first but there's not enough Massive Attack in the backing instrumentals. Pretty nice song regardless of its 'influences'.
rocco1207 wrote:
Portishead called, they want their sound back
Yeah, at first I thought it was a Portishead song I had not heard, but I like it.
Great to hear Mono on RP. And thanks for the reminder!
I was about to say it reminds me of another artist I knew of but it seems that everyone is already making that type of comment. (And I was going to say 'Supreme Beings of Leisure' for those that want to know)
It's like a shmorgushborg of un spellable music.
Portishead called, they want their sound back
Got a distinct "Bjork aftertaste" from this one...
Cynaera wrote:
Oh, another song I first heard on the show "La Femme Nikita." Geez, this brings back memories... edgy, dark, secretive, intriguing... Just like the series...
Loved that show. Was severely bummed when it got cancelled. Now, I can't even find reruns. Pita Wilson - yum.
I stumbled unto this album purely by accident. Definitely worth checking out.
newwavegurly wrote:
First time I recall hearing Mono, it was on the soundtrack for the Gwyneth Paltrow/Ethan Hawke film "Great Expectations". Nice to hear another song, though at first I thought it might be Jem. I hear some vocal similarities.
Yeah, ok, This album is circa late 1997-early 1998, I think. I recall them playing Life In Mono for the advert of Great Expectations with Ethan Hawke and Gwyneth Paltrow, Anne Bancroft... Yeah, and Jem was used to advertise Closer with Natalie Portman, Julia Roberts, Jude Law and Clive Owen. What is it about trip hop songs and movies about people deceiving each other?
As a sidenote, Formica countertops make me blue too, they stain way too damn easy.
A nice sound for sure from Mono- I'm reminded a little of Goldfrapp's lead female vocalist - Alison Goldfrapp.
Hmm...a lot here says Mono sounds like Hooverphonic. You can say that, but they actually do not "sound" like each other, it's just that they belong to the same genre. Heard of Trip Hop? hehehe Just thought that it would have kicked off by now especially that Portishead, Tricky and Morcheeba put a face on this beautiful piece of music.
Reminds me of Hooverphonic. (Perhaps Hooverphonic should remind me of Mono? Dunno who came first.) UltraNurd wrote:
Also a little Ladytron.
And no small amount of Pinhead!!!
Great album. I wore out the grooves listening when it first came out. It has some other-wordly quality to it.
jruhnke wrote:
Reminds me of Hooverphonic. (Perhaps Hooverphonic should remind me of Mono? Dunno who came first.)
Indeed! I thought I was listening to Hooverphonic. Very nice, this
I like. Very smooth.
jruhnke wrote:
Reminds me of Hooverphonic. (Perhaps Hooverphonic should remind me of Mono? Dunno who came first.)
Also a little Ladytron.
very dark and cool, counteracts all the little whiney chick-victim pop tunes we're prone to be assaulted by
Oh, another song I first heard on the show "La Femme Nikita." Geez, this brings back memories... edgy, dark, secretive, intriguing... Just like the series...
Reminds me of Hooverphonic. (Perhaps Hooverphonic should remind me of Mono? Dunno who came first.)
Yep, we like it....Nice, smooth, and sexy!
First time I recall hearing Mono, it was on the soundtrack for the Gwyneth Paltrow/Ethan Hawke film "Great Expectations". Nice to hear another song, though at first I thought it might be Jem. I hear some vocal similarities.
my upload, yay !
A groove... Lovely voice and melodic... I'd have to hear this again, since, after the mind numbing Kronos Quartet/Purple Haze rendition, anything would lift my spirit.