Stay Foggy

Mark Monnone already cemented his place among the all-time greats of indie pop simply by being a member of the Lucksmiths; he didn't need to start making really lovely records on his own under the name Monnone Alone. 2013's Together at Last is a fine offshoot of the Luckies' jangly sounds, and a good start. Fast-forward to 2019, and Monnone reinvented himself as a power pop hero with a crack band, cranking out the sun-soaked gem Summer of the Mosquito. It was full of the usual hooky, heartfelt songs, only now they were pumped full of romping life by the band and the live-sounding production. It's the kind of record that begs at least one sequel, if not a whole series. The realities of making music in 2020 may have put that particular dream on hold, but it didn't mean Monnone wasn't going to make something just as good. Working alone and recording to cassette, the feeling on 2021's Stay Foggy is much more intimate and the power of the band is gone, but the songs are just as good and the format let him go in for a bit of experimentation. Yes, there are songs that could have shown up on a Lucksmiths album, like the bouncy "Feel It Disappearing" or "Bumpy Bits," but even these have some neat touches like rippling fuzz guitar solos and falsetto backing vocals. Mostly, though, he's traveling in new directions, delivering paisley-clad folk-rock on "Pepper Jar"; moody acoustic psych-pop ballads (the haunting "Andalusia"); lo-fi garage ("The Silos"); and the super cool "Painted Brick," which sounds like a trippy Jefferson Airplane demo, but better. The balance of echoey, psychedelic ballads and peppy Apples in Stereo-style pop songs makes for a well-rounded, always surprising album, and Monnone proves to be a whiz at bass playing (already known) and a darn good guitarist too. The mix is the final piece of the puzzle, and it was provided by Gareth Parton; he turns what could have been a humble set of home recordings into something magical. While Summer of the Mosquito felt like a one-of-a-kind release, Stay Foggy shows that Monnone has much more to offer, and though the scale is smaller, the results are just as delightful. ~ Tim Sendra