The Monochrome Set defined themselves in the late 70s and 80s as England's wittiest troubadours, avoiding the sombre overtones of post-punk by penning songs that had a clean 60s pop sensibility, allied to vocalist and guitarist Bid's sandpaper-dry reflections on life and love. Re-released for the first time on CD in the UK, this CD documents the band's time at Blanco y Negro Records, the 'mini-major' set up by Mike Alway (Cherry Red) and Geoff Travis (Rough Trade). It was a turbulent period for the band, recounted in full in the accompanying booklet by a reflective Bid. Including the story behind 'Letter From Viola', perhaps the funniest 'Dear John' song ever written (hint; never allow your band-mates to cut your hair while touring Norway and expect romantic favours on your return).