Mono’s aptly titled debut CD, Formica Blues, is a synthetically sad stereo signal with St. Etienne’s kitsch channeled to the left and Portishead’s loungetrack grooves to the right. But unlike Portishead’s Beth Gibbons, singer Siobhan De Mare doesn’t have an original style—she cribs 30 years’ worth of breathy chanteusery from Dusty Springfield and Dionne Warwick to any number of the faceless crooners who front the Sneaker Pimps of the world. Soundsmith Martin Virgo is no better, swiping samples from trendy orchestral popsters like John Barry and Burt Bacharach. Despite the duo’s lack of ingenuity, Formica Blues is a lush and diverting pop record; don’t think too hard about Mono and its ephemeral sounds will seduce you. Bring your simple mind when the duo plays at 7 p.m. at the 9:30 Club, 815 V St. NW. $8. (202) 393-0930. (Christopher Porter)