In the liner notes to the 100-percent cover song release
Ten Cool Ones, the listener is told to just "shut up and have fun," and that's a pretty good description of
the Mono Men and their approach to music. Lots of distortion, power chords, shouted/sung vocals; in other words, undistilled punk power. The group's main influence is the legendary proto-punk rockers the
MC5, as evidenced in a barnstorming cover of
the MC5's "Kick Out the Jams" that launches the album. Whereas it's unclear if fellow drink-rock labelmates
Prisonshake actually do consume,
the Mono Men confirm their vice on the back cover of
Ten Cool Ones (all members are seen happily clutching their bottles of brew). "Hey Little Bird" would have sounded right at home on
the Dead Boys' classic debut
Young, Loud, and Snotty, as singer/guitarist John Mortensen sounds almost exactly like
Dead Boys singer
Stiv Bators. The group also pulls out a fun cover of
Link Wray's squawking instrumental "Run Chicken Run," and hits you down low with the repetitive, bass-heavy riffing of "As for Tomorrow." In many ways,
the Mono Men's
Ten Cool Ones is the ultimate punk rock party. For fans of the raucous sound and approach of the
MC5,
Mudhoney, and other punkers, this release is highly recommended. ~ Greg Prato