Mando Diao
Ode to ochrasy
EMI
On this, their third full-length, the cocky youngsters have grown up. And bear with me here, that's not necessarily a bad thing. Mando Diao still put out dirty rock n' roll with great hooks from the 60's, something they've been doing since the "Motown blood EP". The difference between "Ode to ochrasy" and the previous ones is that this one contains songs. Songs that proves a maturity required in the music scene of today. The record kickstarts with the killer "Welcome home, Luc Robitaille" and you can actually feel their ambition to make it a Classic. And I'm the first to admit that I have been wrong when doubting in these guys. Up until now. 'Cause really, every song featured is a damn fine song. From the mellow, soulful "Josephine", to the euphoric "Song for Aberdeen", through to "TV and me", the single that's a fairly big radio hit in Sweden as we speak. I imagine that the decision of having Calle Olsson (Union Carbide Productions, The Soundtrack Of Our Lives) producing was a healthy thing to do. But - and there is a but - the only thing I object against is that, while the production is a craftmanship as good as any, it's not as in-your-face as I want this type of rock n' roll to be. But that's a secondary comment. The primary thing is that Mando Diao have made a record that, if there's any justice in the world, should be remembered for a long time. Time will tell.
- Jonas Appelqvist