Tuesday, July 8, 2025

Album Review: MonoNeon - You Had Your Chance... Bad Attitude!

MonoNeon
You Had Your Chance...Bad Attitude!
***and1/2 out of *****

The newest effort from the prolific bass maestro MonoNeonYou Had Your Chance...Bad Attitude! continues his recent success from last years dynamite Quilted StereoThe quirky artist marches to the beat of his own drummer, but this collection stays mostly in the pop/funk/R&B vein, with success. 

Recorded in Iceland at Floki Studios with his touring band, keyboardists Davy Nathan (also co-producer) and Charlie Brown, guitarists Xavier Lynn (Jon Cleary) and Peter Knudsen (Ghost-Note, Snarky Puppy), and drummer Devin Way, with a few guests joining in on the fun as well. 

The album opens with MonoNeon delivering an ode to one of his mentors Prince as "Bad Attitude" seems straight out of '80's with slick pop, bouncing bass and a purple sheen as he describes the perilous Hollywood world. Warbling bass and a kick ass screeching guitar solo highlight "City Life" while "BeyoncĂ©" is inspired by Parliament Funkadelic with loose booty bass, bubbling synths and guest Ella Feingold on guitar. 

Another guest, Christone "Kingfish" Ingram arrives to help out on guitar during the strongest sung track, the heartfelt ode to mothers, "Mama I Really Love". "I Wish You Well" lightens the mood as an easy flowing, humorous break-up song eventually transforms into a Sunday morning gospel get down as MonoNeon delivers his best bass solo on the record. 

Things shift less successfully to an R&B get down vibe with two offerings. "All U Need Is Love" uses some skittering beats and programming but feels average at best while "You're The One That I Like" is more naturally easy flowing with horn work from Donald Hayes. Things wrap up with the holistically humanist jam "I Know I Am Going To See You Soon" which closes the album on a Stevie Wonder like vibe.        

While not as excitingly dynamic as Quilted Stereo (which made our top ten last year), You Had Your Chance...Bad Attitude! keeps the eccentric artist moving forward with his grooving sound and unique style as MonoNeon bumps on. 
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Support the artist, buy the album, peep some video below:

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