CD Review

There was a time ten years ago in which over-saturation spelled anonymity for alternative bands like Letters to Cleo and Better than Ezra, in the trendy storm of "alterna-nation." Today, the over-indulgence in "like" sounding music revolves to the patriots of new rock. Bands like The Strokes, the Hot Hot Heat and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, have come to symbolize a new breed of what’s fashionably accepting amongst critics and the industry. Enter Mando Diao.

This Sweedish five piece stirs smart flavors of new wave glamour, supercharged electric blues and dirtyy rock chords to the masses in Bring ‘Em In. But the question is how does Mando Diao separate itself from the masses?

Fortunately, the band has some favorable items working in their favor. The ghost of Jim Morrison roars in the sexually charged howl of "Mr. Moon" and the derelict energy of the Who bursts in the curvaceous "Sweet Ride." With two lead singers, Mando Diao makes full use of the pipe department to complement their rather uniform musicianship, revisiting many of the 60’s more tantalizing garage rock moments. Interesting stuff, for those fascinated and curious with the Mod sound atop a bluesy American psychedelic swirl. However it will be more interesting to witness if this sound stays true in a couple years, when the new big sounds gets ushered in.