Search - Monaco :: Music for Pleasure

John C. (highfedster) from CHARLOTTE, NC
Reviewed on 10/14/2011...

Not quite New Order. But enough like it to be pretty consistently entertaining.

Newer Order

psychomuse | 12/30/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Monaco only proves that Peter Hook was/is much more than New Order's bass player. Clearly, Monaco establishes the fact that Hook was/is one of the primary songwriters in the band. He might be THE songwriting force behind the band. These songs echo New Order (especially when a certain and most distinct bass dances it way through every song). Any fan will instantly recognize the melodies, beats, arrangements, and overall feel of NO. Even the vocals could have been lifted right off of a recent NO release. And that is no bad thing. If it helps, think of this as another great New Order offering.



Song-wise, one could easily believe this is just a slight trip down a new path for the band. However, knowing this is Hook's post-Revenge side project, there are some creative twists and turns. Some hear an Oasis hook or two amongst Hook's hooks (sorry!) and I am no exception. There are moments when I imagine Peter and Noel Gallagher sitting in a room together (with bass and guitar in hand, respectively) banging out some very catchy tunes. Again, this is no bad thing. Both are master songwriters.



There are even hints of the Pet Shop Boys' pop-genius here. Certainly, Monaco has sprinkles of other-greatness flavoring every song. No doubt, David Potts (with Hook's Revenge) contributes no small part to this masterpiece. Blending what's best of the 80's with what's best of the 90's, this is one unique breed of sound.



This all happens in a context that is way past Hook's Revenge stage. No longer is he feeling the need to escape that New Order sound- his sound (that persistent, driving, melodic bass). Here, Hook embraces all that he is, all that New Order is, and ultimately, all that Monaco is. This is a mature, expansive, emotional, danceable, and beautiful thing. This is music for the sake of music. In one word... PURE.



Monaco is, in retrospect, after hearing NO's Get Ready and Waiting for the Sirens' Call, the fulcrum at which NO's past meets and welcomes the future. It is a seminal moment in New Order's timeline, and a completely unique thing unto itself as the transient but evolutionary Monaco. But it is truly impossible to deny that Monaco plays a pivotal role in the New Order story.



This cd oozes with melody. There's nothing here that will offend any New Order fan. Think of it as New Order bonus material. Really good bonus material. It is both transitional and original. It is certainly good and New. Inspirational and... music for pleasure, indeed!"

A Pleasure to listen to . . .

call me The Avi | "In my dreams I live in California......" | 04/17/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Although Peter Hook is first and foremost New Order's oh-so-distinctive bassist, his side work (Revenge, Monaco) has also been interesting and worthwhile. Music For Pleasure is no exception. Other reviewers have mentioned how different songs on this album sound like Oasis or Portishead tracks -- and they're absolutely right. There's also some techno, and even some disco (#3 - Sweet Lips) thrown in. In that respect, the album has a total lack of consistency -- there's no unifying theme and stylistically it's a hodgepodge. That would kill a lesser album (or a lesser group), but for Monaco it's a virtue. Every song's different, and every song is still a gem. Peter Hook's the centerpiece here, but the lyrics are thoughtful, and David Pott's singing and guitar work are great too.



This isn't New Order, but if you're a NO fan, this shouldn't disappoint. I actually bought this album and NO's Get Ready the same day, and I like this one muuuch better. It's a great album, and the name suits it perfectly."