Mando Diao
Never seen the light of day
EMI
In numerous interviews, I've seen the members of Mando Diao talk about being influenced by, among others, the hip-hop scene of today and that they're getting tired of being compared to acts such as The Kinks, Rolling Stones and The Zombies. Fine, but just 'cause you talk about what you're influenced by doesn't mean that it shows. I don't hear an apparent change from the first two albums or 2006's more diverse "Ode to ochrasy". What I, on the other hand, do hear is the production skills of Björn Olsson giving this album a rough edge while at the same time giving it a more laidback feel. Sounds shattered? Well, yes it is and no it's not. The trademark that is Mando Diao floats all over this record, the snotty melodies of Gustaf Norén and the The Beatles-esque harmonies of Björn Dixgård are here as they should be, but it's Björn Olsson's participation that helps make this album one of the more well-crafted released from this band. The string arrangements and the one-take procedure was, quite frankly, the injection I have been looking for! It's too bad that the songs featured aren't among the bands best though. For the most part, they re just too anonymous with a few exceptions. The single "If I don't live today, then I might be here tomorrow", "Not a perfect day" (George Harrison, anyone?) and "One blood" are all great tunes and, if the band kept that kind of focus, this album would be as good as its previous one.
- Jonas Appelqvist
