After releasing "Never Seen the Light of the Day", an album that distanced them from the indie rock that had characterized them up to that point, the Swedes return to rock'n'roll with a record that reminiscent of their early work but brings along some interesting innovations. The use of orchestral instruments and a female choir as a background enriches "Gloria", a track that really shines during live performances thanks to its singalong-worthy chorus. "Dance with Somebody" is the most commercial piece and has displeased many longtime fans of the group. Could it be the long-desired attempt by lead singer Gustaf Norén to conquer the world with Mando Diao Mania? The song is quite repetitive and has rather banal lyrics but is engaging thanks to its fast-paced rhythm reminiscent of the disco tracks from the '70s.

Following is "High Heels", a musical experiment, in my opinion quite successful, that tries to blend a blues-flavored bass line with a jazz-flavored trumpet, all seasoned with a drum playing a little march. "Mean Street" is a catchy and well-constructed track, cheerful and danceable, with a little choir in the chorus and a piano casually thrown in that spices up the whole. The title track "Give me Fire" exudes great energy and rekindles the album after the very slow instrumental "A Decent Life". More fuel to the fire comes from "Maybe Just Sad" and "Go Out Tonight" with their hyper-melodic and engaging choruses; in both songs Dixgard and Norén go up a tone after the first verses.

Too many are the 6 minutes of the ballad "Crystal", the track is boring and seems never-ending. Fortunately, "You Got Nothing on Me" brings life back to the album by bringing us the old and effective sound heard in the quartet's early work. "Blue Lining White Trenchcoat" and "The Shining" open and close an LP with a fast pace that does not disappoint the expectations of those who wanted an album of this kind after their previous work.

Tracklist Lyrics and Videos

01   Blue Lining White Trenchcoat (04:01)

02   Dance With Somebody (05:17)

break your happy home
learn to sing along
to the music, to the music
clap your hands and shake
on a summers day
to the music, to the music

I'm falling in love with your favourite song
I'm gonna sing it all night long
I'm gonna dance with somebody
dance with somebody
dance, dance, dance (x2)

I'm gonna dance with somebody

when you're all alone
we become your home
where the music, where the music
when you Love's away, and you feel betrayed
we're the music, sweet music

I'm falling in love with your favourite song
I'm gonna sing it all night long
I'm gonna dance with somebody
dance with somebody
dance, dance, dance (x2)

03   Gloria (04:17)

04   High Heels (03:48)

05   Mean Street (04:31)

06   Maybe Just Sad (04:05)

07   A Decent Life (01:44)

08   Give Me Fire (04:01)

09   Crystal (06:10)

Fade away...
All that we have dreamed of
Bergman said it all,
the magic is in the fall, so true...

When you see him tell him all that you
don't know
all how much we've grown
so I cry but like always, I don't feel
that much in here
so I sit by your side just to be near you
oh lord please don't take him yet

Now you're gone, you're with angels
I will soon come visit you
and talk about, the time we had together
and our town is filled with tears

Don't feel bad while you're there
life was only sad sad while you were here
filled with rage and fear
and now I sit by your side
but you can't hear me
you can always count on me

don't feel sad, you're with angels
I will soon come visit you
and talk about, the time we had together
now our town is filled with tears

so I sit by your side
although you're not with me
when I comfort you, when I come to you

and like always, right here by your side
don't feel sad, you're with angels
I will soon come visit you
and talk about, the time we had together
and our town is filled with tears

10   Come On Come On (04:13)

11   Go Out Tonight (04:52)

12   You Got Nothing on Me (05:06)

13   The Shining / [untitled] (19:21)

Loading comments  slowly