Mondo Primo – 2FN Hot

Mondo Primo‘s unique packaging of 2FN Hot did what artwork is supposed to do: it grabbed my attention. Coming packed with a pair of 3D Glasses, the artwork is made entirely in 3D which makes it stand out from the crowd. Unfortunately for them, the music doesn’t do the same; and as I listened to 2FN Hot I could only imagine two random early nineties references which I thought described the album perfectly.

First was the band from Back To The Future. The simple pop melodies scattered across the record constantly reminded me of the famed scene where Michael J. Fox picked up a guitar and played along with the band at the high school prom as he watched his parents kissed for the very first time – thus saving his existence and making it so he doesn’t vanish into thin air. A few songs later another early nineties TV moment popped into my head, this time it belonged to The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. No, I’m no talking about Will Smith, I’m talking about his short cousin Carlton. Have you ever seen him dance? Throwing his hands out, smiling like crazy and hopping around just having a generally good time. I couldn’t help but imagine Carlton happily dancing along to 2FN Hot with Will and the rest of the family looking at him in embarrassment.

For you see, Mondo Primo have delivered an album full of simple pop melodies. It’s somewhat catchy, I can’t deny that; but it doesn’t do anything to really stand out. It’s a generic,bland outing with a few moments filled with catchy choruses that is muffled together with no real individuality of memorable quality. Keyboards fill every song, as do soaring, high pitched vocals and bouncy melodies. They aim for some quick laughs with the lyrics, just as the song titles suggest: Dude, Your Girlfriend Sucks, Bands with Brand New Amps, Post Party Depression and Splitsville, VA. Right away you can take a guess as to what they’ll talk about and you won’t be far off.

In some ways they’re a much poppier version of Weezer or Nerf Herder, with a slight nerd rock feel, however Mondo Primo are never able to come close to the awesomeness of the two other bands. As they stand, they feel like a cheap knock off. Simple pop that isn’t strong enough for the mainstream but not memorable or unique enough to survive the underground either. But I’m sure if Carlton heard them, he’d happily dance along…