Mando Diao
Give Me Fire!

THE REVIEW

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.