Bring 'Em in

This is the album that I have been wanting the Strokes to release for the past 4 years. It is mod rock at its finest, and it's an utter shame that these boys aren't receiving the spotlight they deserve. Having said that, I don't want to imply that this is yet another "garage-rock" band, because they are a lot more than that.Mando Diao is who the Strokes and Hives would be if they spent a week listening to the Beatles and some good ol' blues before sitting down and working out their tracks. They seemlessly mesh 60's rock, pop, some funk and blues into a perfectly crafted album that is much more deserving of the "saviors of rock" crown that is so adamantly given to The Strokes. One listen to songs like the phenomenal "Sheepdog" or "Mr. Moon" (though this track does feature a strong accent) and the listener will know they've stumbled onto something truly breathtaking, and given the bands current popularity (or lack there-of) they will also consider themselves lucky.If you're reading this, I'm impressed. You're half way there but now you need to actually pick this album up. It is undoubtedly on my favorites list for 2003, and I can say with much confidence that it will most likely be on yours as well.

On this first effort "Bring'em in" from this swedish band MANDO DIAO, these guys play noisy, raw and energetic music, you can notice they are excited for having their first recording. They could become the Artic Monkeys from Scandinavia except that they were very young at that time and didn't have the right direction. Compared to Libertines, Hives or White Stripes they didn't were a breaktrough in the American continent. Eventhough I didn't really liked this CD, I still admit they do good music and they improved through the years (listen to the bit different GIVE ME FIRE last release including track "Dance with somebody"), they evolved into a more dance oriented. I will go and buy the latest releases and just leave this first CD for fans. I will give it a 2.5 if I could.

This is the latest great band from Sweden. Yeah they sound like the Kinks and the Stones, but they are ten years younger than most of the other Swede bands we know. They are as young as Sahara Hotnights, and like them, are from a small town. Going to Stockholm was much like a fish out of water. Their rocking stance is taken up right away in songs like "Sheepdog" and "Sweet Ride." Other songs like "Mr. Moon" is more like the soul stylings of Van Morrison and Oasis. "Paralyzed" is more like 60s garage rock. People who like more northern soul and mod sounds, and who are looking for something to do while The Strokes and The Hives release their next records, might want to check out Mando Diao.

Mando Diao, on their latest post-punk garage rock creation, drum up several great songs worth of slightly distorted guitars and crashy cymbals that make you feel like you've just downed several fizzy lagers at the local pub, where strangely, a lot of Swedes have taken residence. In fact, perhaps they've taken over the barstools, as they've made much more forward momentum with singles like the downbeat "Mr Moon" and the radio-ready "She's So." But no, that is not a completely apt description. These guys don't completely own the joint -- the sound Mando Diao are approaching is already better accomplished by that other Swedish rock foursome, The Hives, and The Hives already released a new CD this year. This is a good ride though.

When I heard the first single "Sheepdog", as most who buy this album will have, I thought I was buying another Hives album. That's cool, I like the Hives, one more Hives isn't a bad thing. What I found upon closer inspection, a.k.a listening to the album, is that I had bought something quite unlike the Hives. The Hives I think, and many I know agree, play a style of punk music with a 21st century Mod twist. Mando Diao do just the opposite. This album is not a purely punk exercise by any stretch of the imagination. It is a bit rough in places, rough being punkishly edgy, but in most places it is smooth, flowing Modish rock. Not Michael Bolton smooth rock, but a kind of happier, Strokes style rock with less droning, and better lyrics. It also manages to capture a early 60's bluesy feel in some spots, as well as a oddly European Motown flavor. Yeah, try and figure that one out. All in all, I liked this album immediately. I didn't have to work at it, I didn't have to fight past the single. I listened to the whole album right out of the case. Every song is great, I expect great stuff from these guys. If you like music buy this.

This album is really a testament to the fact that if you look hard enough, you will find great music out there. In this case, you have to set your sights for Sweden. I bought this album June of 2004 after hearing Sheepdog somewhere, but after a few listens, it went to the wayside because I got a few Beatles and Rolling Stones albums. Now after a year of listening to great music, I decided I needed to hear something different and as I was browsing through my Media Player, I saw this CD. I started to play it and realized just why I bought it in the first place. In a way I feel lucky that I got to discover it, then after quite some time, I got to rediscover it. Those who are reading this review really should buy Bring Em In. I can see a few comparisons to the early Rolling Stones as well as Beatles in Mando Diao. In a room with the two aforementioned bands, Mando should be able to hold their heads high. I know before this month ends, I should own Hurricane Bar.