Monomania

monomania

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Adventure in Stereo's mastermind, Jim Beattie (formerly of Glasgow's Primal Scream and Spirea X), started AIS when he began writing and recording his simple, beautiful pop gems on four-track with Spirea X vocalist Judith Boyle. Now working with a full band, and using considerably more advanced recording equipment, Beattie and Boyle still achieve their distinct, low-fi sound by recording in mono, giving the songs an authentic mid-'60s feel. Much has been made of Adventures in Stereo's preoccupation with the music of Brian Wilson. However, with the arrival of Monomania, it's clear that AIS's fixation with the mid-'60s Los Angeles pop-scene isn't restricted to just the Beach Boys--they find equal inspiration in the good-time groove of the Mamas & Papas ("International") and the sugary pop of the Turtles ("Birds" and "This Day"), among others. Nor are they content with producing mere facsimiles of a bygone era as much as creating something new using the best aspects of the past. Boyle's sweet, reverb-drenched harmonies really give the songs their edge, lending an unexpected twist to what might otherwise be a redundant, if pleasant, exercise. It's refreshing to know that there is a band like Scotland's Adventures in Stereo, thousands of miles removed from the beaches of California, who can still make American Pop, something most American bands don't even attempt. --Paul Ducey

Product Description
Third album for indie pop act featuring Primal Scream founding member Jim Beattie and his partner from Spirea X Judith Boyle. Includes the first single, 'International'. Scheduled for release one week earlier than the domestic which is tentatively scheduled for August 15th. Packaged in a stunning digipak. 2000 release.

Monomania,Adventures in Stereo,Bobsled Records,Indie Pop,Pop,Rock,Rock/Pop

Monomania
Monomania
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Would-Be 60s Pop Classics
  • Can you copyright Brian Wilsons music?
  • Magnificent Scottish Bastards
  • Definite fluff, but very effective
  • A Sunny Afternoon
 Monomania
Adventures in Stereo
Manufacturer: Bobsled Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
Indie RockIndie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Rock | Styles | Music
Pop RockPop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:
  1. Alternative Stereo Sounds

ASIN: B00004S64G
Release Date: 2000-08-08

Tracks:

  1. We Will Stand
  2. International
  3. Dust To Ashes
  4. Silence
  5. Running
  6. Birds
  7. Behind The Trees
  8. Suntrips
  9. Airkiss
  10. Touch The Rain
  11. Ghosts
  12. This Day
  13. When Love Comes In

Amazon.com

Adventure in Stereo's mastermind, Jim Beattie (formerly of Glasgow's Primal Scream and Spirea X), started AIS when he began writing and recording his simple, beautiful pop gems on four-track with Spirea X vocalist Judith Boyle. Now working with a full band, and using considerably more advanced recording equipment, Beattie and Boyle still achieve their distinct, low-fi sound by recording in mono, giving the songs an authentic mid-'60s feel. Much has been made of Adventures in Stereo's preoccupation with the music of Brian Wilson. However, with the arrival of Monomania, it's clear that AIS's fixation with the mid-'60s Los Angeles pop-scene isn't restricted to just the Beach Boys--they find equal inspiration in the good-time groove of the Mamas & Papas ("International") and the sugary pop of the Turtles ("Birds" and "This Day"), among others. Nor are they content with producing mere facsimiles of a bygone era as much as creating something new using the best aspects of the past. Boyle's sweet, reverb-drenched harmonies really give the songs their edge, lending an unexpected twist to what might otherwise be a redundant, if pleasant, exercise. It's refreshing to know that there is a band like Scotland's Adventures in Stereo, thousands of miles removed from the beaches of California, who can still make American Pop, something most American bands don't even attempt. --Paul Ducey

Album Description

Third album for indie pop act featuring Primal Scream founding member Jim Beattie and his partner from Spirea X Judith Boyle. Includes the first single, 'International'. Scheduled for release one week earlier than the domestic which is tentatively scheduled for August 15th. Packaged in a stunning digipak. 2000 release.

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Would-Be 60s Pop Classics.......2001-12-20

The only way I can come up with a description of this band is Shelley Fabares(Johnny Angel) backed by the Cranberries.
An absolutely brilliant recording, the disk opens with a number that, if you're a guy, will have you wondering if you should call up that little honey you let slip through your fingers years ago and see if she's still available. The best cuts, in my opinion, are Dust To Ashes and Touch The Rain. Both would have been clear high chart topping classics in the days of AM radio.

The band behind this angelic voice is tight, rhythmic, solid and conjures days of the British Invasion....but after some thought, the "sound" could very well be B-52ish or Go-Go ish. This is the kind of cd you play for your friends and say, "Chick THIS out."
But only if you're a dyed-in-the-wool lover of classic pop music.
Otherwise, you might blush!

3 out of 5 stars Can you copyright Brian Wilsons music?.......2001-05-18

This CD is an absolute hoot! I expected the Beach Boys "Pet Sounds"/"Smile" comparisons, but this is ridiculous. Okay, so the first track sounds like "Keep An Eye on Summer"; another repeats the line "Get a breath of that Country Air". But then there's the complete re-making of "Smile" outtakes ("Airkiss" will be recognized by anyone with the bootlegs), and even a version of "Trombone Dixie" with lyrics ("This Day")! These are not songs that "evoke" the Beach Boys sound; these are faithful reproductions with added vocals. Its funny stuff, and any Beach Boys fan who knows their stuff will have a good laugh. Stereolab? That's even funnier. I only wish the AIS originals were as compelling as their remakes.

5 out of 5 stars Magnificent Scottish Bastards.......2000-11-17

Enlightenment is one spin of this record away. The songs are beautiful, and Judith's voice just might make you die of joy. Don't delay, there is no better use for your hard-earned money. Buy this album now. Then buy it again.

4 out of 5 stars Definite fluff, but very effective.......2000-10-19

I bought this album on a whim the day I bought the new Radiohead and Damon and Naomi and it turned out to be just what I needed to counterbalance the heaviness (albeit wonderful) of those other two albums. Adventures in Stereo do sound a little like Primitives/Darling Buds filtered through Beach Boys production values. "International" and "Running" are hot not to listen to over and over if you happen to be going for a drive on a sunny day.

3 out of 5 stars A Sunny Afternoon.......2000-09-26

Mysteriously compared to Stereolab, Adventures in Stereo sound more like The Primitives filtered through Phil Spector. Monomania, their second full length release, is like a sunny afternoon: pleasant, achingly beautiful, easy to forget when the next one rolls around. Memorable cuts: "Behind the Trees", "Airkiss".

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