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After hearing the first couple of bars from new band, Mona I couldn’t help but to think of the positive strengths of Bon Jovi, Bryan Adams, U2 and the almighty Kings Of Leon. This band are the eclectic mix of all of these acts. I learned after investigating a little more that the band are actually from Nashville which is also the hometown of the KOL, who are the headline act of the tour which Mona are supporting. So they have a similar sound and feel which will make the tour all the more grand.

The track Listen To Your Love has that serious distorted guitar echo that is almost signature to the KOL but of course, as you would imagine, the lyrics are much easier to decipher. So that makes them a little better.

One of the tracks – Lines In The Sand – begins with the soft vocal tones similar to Jeff Buckley and then the singer Nick Brown erupts with Bono-style passion and then further still belts out almost screaming defining himself amongst his comparisons. A great singer.

The overall sound of the band is full and stoked up well. On each of the tracks there is a light shining on each of the musicians. Lean Into The Fall has some uber fast paced drum rolls. Say You Will has superb guitar playing throughout and such an alluring bassline. Shooting The Moon makes me feel out of breath listening to the continuing flow of words from the singer and the backing vocals. In a big staged arena this track performed live will definitely be breathtaking.

The album is great. Vibrant, pulsating and coherent. I would think that they will break away from their tour headliners and soon make it very much on their own. If you like the Followill’s from Nashville then meet their mates. You can understand them better.

Mona by Mona is out now in the UK and Europe and June 17th 2011 in the US as far as I can make out. It will be released from Zion Noiz Recordings under exclusive licence to Island Records.