From the frigid, icy depths of Sweden comes, surprise, a garage band. A group of four men, aged somewhere in their mid twenties, who play guitar, bass, and vocals, arranged in simple, high energy rock songs. A formula recreated so many times, that any band that breaks the mold, is immediately lauded as astoundingly unique. Most bands who follow the formula are boring and unimaginative. Yet Mando Diao are an exception. They're not original, and they're not groundbreaking. They're just damn good.
In their sophomore album, Mando Diao continue what made their debut, Bring 'em In, so likeable. They play revved up garage rock with the swagger and love for melody of British Invasion pop. They execute this sound with such precision and ease, that you might mistake them as a band from the 60's
The first single, "God Knows", captures the essence of a Mando Diao song. It starts of with a perfect guitar solo, on top of blanket guitar and organ. The verses and choruses are traded by vocalists/guitarists/songwriters Gustaf Norén and Björn Dixgård. Norén's nasal snarl holds down the verse while Dixgård's well balanced croon soars over the chorus. Here lies one of the album's main pitfalls: while Norén is a competent singer, who is well versed in rock 'n roll attitude, Dixgård is the better vocalist, coming away with a great hook almost every time he sings. Its quite a shame that Norén sings on the majority of the tracks, leaving Dixgård waiting for his chance to shine.
The album does has a few jems. "Down in the Past" is Dixgård's best, and "You Can't Steal My Love" is a five and a half minute epic, featuring great rock riffage, and a piano breakdown. Some of the slow songs "Added Family" fall dead flat, and after fourteen tracks of almost no variation on the theme, the album feels lethargic.
So here's my checklist for the third Mando Diao album: 1. More Björn Dixgård. 2. Mix it up a little bit. You're only following the most used formula in rock music. And 3. Keep its fast. Garage rock is best when its not looking behind to see the trail its blazed. If the boys of Mando Diao make some changes, they've got something potentially great on their hands. |