Hoping for More Mando Diao. . .Beyond 2007's Ode to Ochrasy

2005’s Hurricane Bar compelled me to write about it. Mando Diao had so much fire in their “Clash-like gang vocals, shouted like a band from a warehouse district who is used to playing gig beneath the train tracks” that I could not keep silent about the experience of listening to the album.

2007’s Ode to Ochrasy has less of that compelling charisma which explains why only now am I jotting these notes about their follow up album. Mando Diao still has bright days ahead, and their Clash-spirit, Classic Rock core, bluesy garage rock will continue to evoke praise.

However, Ode only inspired a few thoughts to share. “Welcome Home, Luc Robitaille" has a Monkees-like chorus combined with guitar fire and Kinks-inspired punk. Within a Ramones-like framework, “Killer Kaczynski” has melodic, harmonious stretches. The punked up, neo-swing of “Long Before Rock ‘n’ Roll” is a history lesson about rock’s early glimmer in 1954, which only serves to fuel the 50’s soul shuffle of “The Wildfire (If It Was True).”

Mando Diao
Mute Records