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At the end of the '70s, The Monochrome Set were part of the first wave of post-punk bands. Right from the beginning, the band earned a solid reputation as purveyors of fine pop, gaining praise from '80s contemporaries such as Morrissey and Edwyn Collins. This praise has continued in the decades since, with artists such as Franz Ferdinand, The Divine Comedy, and Graham Coxon all citing the band as a key influence on their own work. The Monochrome Set's sound has often been described as timeless, and that alone explains why, over the years, the band has continued to gain admirers. Volume, Contrast, Brilliance... Unreleased & Rare Vol.2 is the sequel to the 1983 compilation Volume, Contrast, Brilliance... Sessions & Singles Vol. 1. It's a wonderful collection of previously unreleased and rare tracks spanning 1978 to 1991. These gems range from DIY works to high-quality studio recordings, some of which were improperly recorded or never released due to a variety of reasons (bad timing, odd decisions, forgetfulness) fully explained in the liner notes. The range of styles on display here is typical of this iconic and highly influential band - slices of their sound can still be heard in indie and mainstream music worldwide.