Mona

Expectations are high for this, Mona’s eponymous debut album. First single ‘Listen To Your Love’ deservedly started the hype, with its thrilling blend of pop and rock ‘n’ roll leaving fans hoping for an equally exhilarating long-player.

Sadly, while many of the elements that make the single so good are present on the album, there aren’t enough other ideas to make it work consistently. Opener ‘Cloak & Dagger’ sets the tone for what follows, with the vocals of Nick Brown taking centre stage. Brown’s soaring vocals are similar to those of Nathan Willett of Cold War Kids, and there are also many common themes to their music. With both bands, it is the vocals that provide the emotional core of the songs, and both singers are guilty of occasionally slipping into over-the-top histrionics. Indeed, _Mona_ can be accused of being quite an overblown piece of work, with songs like ‘Lines in the Sand’ having plenty of bombast but without the substance to back it up.

It seems like a backhanded compliment but the album is saved by its short length. It’s over before it gets too much. And, to give the band their due, when the elements are all in balance, the songs really do work. ‘Lean Into the Fall’ is a great example of this, where the vocals take their place alongside the music rather than in front of it. ‘Shooting the Moon’ works because it has some bite to it, but it brings the band too close to becoming the ‘American Stereophonics’ to be entirely successful. Another almost-successful song is ‘Pavement’, which has a decidedly generic alt-ballad sound but works well enough in the summery weather for you to forgive them.

Where the band does succeed is in their live shows, where they can let loose and allow the songs to retain their energy unmediated. The problem with the album is that the live experience hasn’t been caught convincingly enough, as the polished production takes the edge off the raw passion that is meant to carry these songs. As a debut though, there is more than enough here to suggest that Mona won’t disappear off the radar any time soon, particularly if they continue to develop their live reputation. If next year they can return with a couple more tricks up their sleeves, adding them to their ear for a catchy tune and their passion, then this band could become a real prospect.

If you’re interested in seeing Mona live, they’re playing at the Kasbah in Coventry on Tuesday June 28th. See http://www.kasbahnightclub.com/whats-on for details.