Friday 12 June 2009

Mando Diao- Mean Street EP

I love Sweden, the girls, the places, the saunas… But I love her most for her musical exports (ABBA and The Cardigans) and the next to keep this legacy going are guitar band Mando Diao and their Mean Street EP.
Opener, Mean Street is shimmering light of early Rolling Stones type 60s rock and roll. Driven by a playful piano and a shuffling drum beat, the single really zips along feeling modern and old school at the same delightful time.
Give Me Fire is a slightly more hard edged song which is slowly softened by a tingle on the keys giving way to a beautifully written middle 8 section and a rousing finish.
Third track, Blue Lining, White Trench Coat is yet another riot of guitars and soaring vocals. Final track, Burning Up is built around the patter of drums and wonderfully sung imagery and is like all the other songs on this EP- an utter joy to behold. Note the woodwind at the end of the song which is a nice touch.

The Swedish music scene has come up trumps again.

Review by George McSorley

160 comments:

  1. MANDO DIAO is the future of Rock n Roll!

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  2. This is just awesome!
    The band, the songs, and especially the EP!
    Mando we love you

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  3. yees you´re right !
    MANDO DIAO are awesome <3
    that´s ROCK´N´ROLL

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  4. One of the best live bands I´ve ever seen!! Can´t wait for the concert in september in London!!!

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  5. All the songs on this EP are perfectly proving that Mando Diao deserves to be called the Fab Five of the 21st century. Each song is amazing and it makes me feel like "burning up" when I hear them! My love and credits to Mando Diao for being the best band I can imagine!

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  6. I love this band! and mean street is the best song of their last album, give me fire!

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  7. I can't imagaine a day without listening to this awesome band...!!! Mean street is one of their best songs!

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  8. that's an awesome review, love Mando Diao!!!!!
    Mean street is a great music and love burning up too!!!!!!!!! :)

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  9. - Listining to Mando Diao is like to travel in the past...down in the past....exciting riffs by gustaf noren and godlike vocals by björn dixgard;)
    but so far,they haven't always been the typical oldschool-band,but also a new...modern one...however,what song they ever play,they are every single moment Mando Diao

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  10. I absolutely agree with George McSorley!
    I love MANDO DIAO and their fantastic music!! Can´t wait to see them on saturday in Munich :)

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  11. Mando Diao is one of the best bands i've ever heard! I love how you described the songs, you're totally right! :D

    Mando Diao must continue making good music, one day they will be in the history of the music! :)

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  12. Mando Diao is a great band and mean street is a great song of the great band ;)

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  13. Mean street is a great song!! Great for the Summertime now :) It makes me happy all the time, I can´t wait to see them in Oktober again!! Mando Diao is a grea´t Band!!!

    Jessica

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  14. Just found out that their producers are "HIP HOP" producers!!
    The Salazar Brothers.

    Check out thei myspace:
    www.myspace.com/salazarbrothers

    Or read the interview with them on:
    www.mandodiaofanblogg.devote.se/category/585551/intervjuer-_18462.htm

    Thats why this sound so fresh Yet "oldschool"!!

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  15. Mando Diao rocks me, us and the whole generation!! The new single is gonna be a hit single!
    Mando Diao is pure Rock'n'Roll!!!

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  16. Mando Diao is the best band of the world. And their music is just wonderful. And because of this Mean Street is a very great song too.

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  17. i LOVE mean street ! ♥
    great review, i would write kinda same ;)
    my review from mean street would be only praises ! (like this one haha) :D

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  18. The reviewer definitely found the perfect words!
    Luckily, Mando Diao gives many concerts so that you can listen to the amazing songs as the reviewer stated live :) Mean Street rocks.

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  19. What a nice review. You're so right!

    Mando Diao are our Beatles! :D

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  20. You're absolutely right with what you write :-). This is a very nice review.

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  21. Mando Diao are an awesome band.

    Keep it up!!

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  22. yeees you're so right
    mando diao is amazing :)

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  23. Yeah yeah yeah :P
    I love Mean Street!!! It's an amazing song :)

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  24. Thanks for this great song!! You will be the best band forever!!

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  25. the only thing I can do is agree! such a great single. such a great album. such a great band!

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  26. ..the mando diao are the last hope that rock is not dead.
    they are able to put together a sound near to the rock of the '70 and '80 years and a new kind of rock, the indie rock.
    is there something better??
    I love them.

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  27. I really appreciate it when someone appreciates one of my favourite songs of my No1 favourite band

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  28. brilliant review :D
    love mando diao <3

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  29. I love it, and i love the music, and i love the band *yeah yeah yeah*

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  30. mando diao should rule the world! :) they´re just great/awesome/amazing/cool/good...
    i really love this band!

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  31. you seem to love Mando just as much as I do ;) love the review!

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  32. Although I liked the band before, this EP is awesome!
    I guess Mando Diao will have a future at Rock'n'Roll!

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  33. It's brilliant! Very nice review and the EP is really the best record ever! Mando forever!!!

    winkeli

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  34. It's right what he said.
    Mando Diao is the best forever.

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  35. Yeah,they are the best!
    Mats,CJ,Björn,Gustaf and Samuel .. other bands aren't so special like them ! (:
    And their music .. so great!
    I love all their songs and ya .. just cool :D

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  36. Yes thats right. Mando Diao are such a great band& Mean Street is as awesome as all the other songs on the GIve Me Fire album.
    When you hear it you can't sit anymore

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  37. This is a really nice review
    and Mando Diao are a great band. Don't miss the chance to see them live in september!

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  38. Mando Diao will live on forever because they are the best band ever! Mean Street and all of their other songs are better than words can say. Thank you for your wonderful music. Dont know what I would do without it. Cant wait to see them in October beacuse hearing them live is unbelivalbe.

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  39. Mean Street is one of the best Mando songs ever. Love the idea of this EP. :D

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  40. Great Review. You definitely found the right words!
    I totally agree.
    Mando Diao did a great job. Mean Street is a bright song that enriches the people. :)

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  41. I agree with you!
    mean street is just a amazing song! really really great job*

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  42. Finally Mando Diao's music is starting to get recognised in the UK! I just don't understand why this didn't come with the release of their first album, but it's OK...

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  43. There is nothing more to say .....just amazing...can`t get enough of that wonderful stuff...

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  44. hey ho!
    you really say the truth. mando diao is amazing and i love their music, too. and i can only say wow to their song mean street.
    so good review :D

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  45. Youre so right...Mando Diao are the best!! =)

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  46. Can't stop listening this guys! Mean street is really great song and EP

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  47. Hey Folks!
    I can only agree with you!
    Mando Diao are also one of my favourite bands, any time I hear one of their songs I can hardly keep my feet still.
    I'm already looking very much forward to hear mean street on our local radio station!!
    Have a nice day and take care all of you!!
    Best wishes,
    Symmetry

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  48. Thank You for this nice review of Mean Street.
    I love Mando Diao and especially theire new song:D

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  49. Mando Diao is totally awesome! I agree, you are sooo right!

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  50. Mean Street is a great song and really makes me happy, blue lining white trenchcoat is great too

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  51. I agree! :) Mando Diao are just awsome!
    Their songs are powerfull aaaand sooo well written!!!! Keep Sweden & the entire world rocking! :D thx for this review! =)

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  52. I love this song! It sounds so happy.... very nice song from my favorite band...

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  53. Totally agree!!! MD is awesome and is even better live!
    Mean street is perfect for the summertime!!!

    It's all good in the mean streets...

    Fabby

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  54. I love Mando Diao and this EP is amazing!

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  55. Just awesome!

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  56. Sweden... when I think of it I remember the history - we had a common Wasa dynasty (well, you can even spot Sigsmund III Wasa looking on our capital from the column standing next to the Castle), but mostly we were enemies - few wars - well, we won, but they made money from it :-) And right now, when I shouldn't love Sweden, I have to break the rule and simply follow the trend. The reason is Mando Diao :-) It is amazing how they have always had the ability to breach the gap between the generation of ABBA and us. My mum really likes Mean Street - funny song...and Blue Lining...crazy song... and Give Me Fire - it's title song so it must be good..and Burning Up - typical 70-ties song... :-) and I have to agree.. I'm a very obedient daughter :-)

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  57. a new beatles era just begun with mando diao and mean street is a nice summer song like wildfire in 2007. the song combi on this EP is fabulous.
    they love to entertain us ;)
    "take my hand and close your pretty eyes..."
    lies

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  58. I love this band and I love this song.
    This is a very good review

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  59. mean street is suuch a great song.love it.its one of my favourites on the new record.
    to me,mando diao is the best band ever.

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  60. Sweden rocks! Let's hope we get an album release soon :)

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  61. i completely agree with you.. well i prefer the swedish boys not the girls.. but the rest.. GREAT!!! i couldn't find any better words to express my thoughts about MANDO DIAO!!! best band ever and mean street is one of the best songs.. --> pretty good review

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  62. Blubba Pinecone28 July 2009 at 22:40

    Magnificently worded; I couldn't have written a better review myself.

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  63. i LOVE them !
    the songs are great and live they rock so awesome! unbelievable :)

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  64. Mando Diao is just Great if you wanna rock realy hard then go to a concert!!!

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  65. Hi!I agree with you, this song sounds kind of "old school" that's why I love it so much, actually, it's my favourite from "give me fire" album. Amaizing Mats at the piano and Gustaf's lyrics and voice are supreme!!By the way, I also like the Cardigans

    xxx

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  66. George, you wrote some AWESOME review and I couldn´t agree with you more. You gotta love Sweden but you gotta love Mando Diao even more.

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  67. You're soo right!!
    Mando Diao is the best band ever!(:

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  68. i like the old mando more=-(

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  69. You're right, noone does it better than the Mandos!!

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  70. yeah!! a very very good song from mando diao! summer feeling in the heart and the songs from the guys in my head :)

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  71. This is my favorite song, could hear it all night long, sing it! Enjoy it and don`t forget the lovely video!!!!! ;)

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  72. really good review:-)
    Every Mando Diao song is a good song and now they are going to take over the UK.

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  73. really nice review!
    and you're so right ;)

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  74. the band is great, the boys are great and this ep is great!
    "mean street" is good to rock the summer all night long!!!

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  75. there is no one like mando. they are the greatest, the best, and truly the future of rock 'n' roll.

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  76. Mando Diao is the best band. Ever. And the Mean Street EP is excellent!
    /Josefine

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  77. Great review, Mando Diao is very an amazing band ! ;)

    "The Swedish music scene has come up trumps again."
    Ahah, I totally agree with you !

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  78. Aww, you're so right!! Great review.
    I mean honestly, can there be a better band than Mando Diao??
    I just love them. They just make awesome music.
    Sweden rocks, thanks to Mando.

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  79. Awesome review :)! Captures the things you want out but can't find words to describe.
    Mando Diao is awesome at anything they attempt, it seems :D
    Live, on CD. Hell, even singing Abba songs! They make it their own, and that thing they have is one of a kind.
    Thanks Mando for everything :)

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  80. nice review
    Mando diao Rule
    Love from MrLoy

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  81. couldn't have said it better, man. Mando Diao is amazing and needs wider international attention!

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  82. What a great Ep. The review was pretty good. I wish they had a wider internatinal scope. Every thing they put out seems to always blow me away,.

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  83. I'm sooo proud of being swedish! Good review! But what can you say about Mando more then that they are the best band ever? I have felt in love with all their songs! Their energy on stage is lovley to see! They really makes me happy!

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  84. You're right. Mando Diao is a great band with fantastic melodies und lovly lyrics. I love Mean Street. It's a perfect song for the summer.

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  85. Mean Street is one of my favorite song on the album. Such Awesome! Great Sound.

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  86. Yes, you're right !!!
    I love Sweden... And especially, Mando Diao. I love this band, his music !!! See you in Paris on 5 december, at Bataclan. For a live show, the best !

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  87. Finally somebody who knows how to write a review!!!
    Mando Diao just rocks=)

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  88. ..I started to listen to Mando Diao only two months ago.. but now I listen to them every day. They are very good.. their sound is special and Mean Steet is a very wonderful and funny song!
    Nick

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  89. You couldn't describe it better in words!
    Mando Diao! <3

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  90. This song and this band are simply genius! I really love them as well as the swedish music scene. Absolutly amazing! This songs makes me feel the summer eventhough I can't really see it :P

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  91. MEAN STREET is such a great single! Just as "Dance With Somebody" and "Gloria" have been before. To me, almost every song from the last MANDO DIAO album (Give Me Fire) could be a single. The highest quality music!

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  92. you're ABSOLUTELY RIGHT in your review!!!
    Mando Diao are just GREAT!
    there's even no words to describe how much we love them!
    Mean Street is such a good song!
    <3

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  93. Mean Street is one of the best songs ever cause it combines music from earlier times and nowadays!

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  94. Mean streat is such a good song, every little beat of the song feel's like summer.

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  95. i absolutely love their new album, give me fire!

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  96. One of the best live bands I´ve ever seen!! Can´t wait for the concert in October in Frankfurt!

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  97. Mando Diao are one of the best bands... And their songs Mean Street is a great song...

    Litti

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  98. I Love it! The best song since Can't steal my love and the Band!!

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  99. Really great song! That makes me really happy if I listen to this song! Mycket bra!

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  100. best band! and i love the song!

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  101. Hey, its great that we all share the same opinion!
    Mando Diao, the band is a blast and the new EP also! :)

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  102. Mando Diao is the best thing that happened in all my life.
    The music is great, their lyrics are incredible, and you feel like they are writing about yourself.
    I'm completely in love with this rock band. You're review is great!!!! I think the same!

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  103. Great review. These are amazing songs of a amzing band, you have to check out the UK tour dates!

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  104. i love this band sooo much and the new song is more than great!!!! the best band ever on the whole world...MANDO DIAO!!!!<3

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  105. I just say: THE FUTURE IS OURS! THE FUTURE IS MANDO DIAO! JUST AMAZING

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  106. Mando Diao are an amazing band - love their music!!!

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  107. Mando Diao? It´s a really really great band!
    Mean Street is again a really good song.
    the whole album is great!

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  108. Totally agree with what's said in this review. "GMF" is mindblowing! And live they're just as great! Can't wait for the tour!!

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  109. Fantastic song I love it!!!!!

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  110. I love Mean Street! One of the best songs of GMF.
    I am so looking foward to the tour in autumn :)
    Mando Diao = best band in the whole world!

    Greetings.

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  111. Mando Diao, my favourite band!!!!

    Give me fire it's so perfect!!!

    (i think i'm in love...xD)

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  112. I've been to a concert in march
    They are one of the best live bands I've ever seen.
    Thanks for your great music Mando!!

    Take care
    Savoy

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  113. really nice review!
    I totally agree with you, though I could have never put it in such poem-like words ... =)

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  114. great blog. It's short and informative and so true. Mando Diao are such a great band and Give me Fire is awesome! :)

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  115. Awesome, really wonderful! Mando Diao is so great, nice guys ;) Det är mycker underbart!!!

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  116. Really nice=)) I love swedish music- mostly MANDO DIAO...Good work, guy:))

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  117. such a great review!! MANDO DIAO is so awesome!!

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  118. Amazing review! Mando Diao is the greatest band in the world and will in my ears and eyes ALWAYS be! :D <3<3<3

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  119. you´ve written an amazing review...they are the gods of rock n roll!!!!

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  120. you really nailed it !!!
    Mando Diao is the best todays Rockband!

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  121. You're so damn right! Sweden is the best country in the world, just Italy can compete ;-)
    Obviously I am half & half..

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  122. five stars to your review!! I have never heard a bad song from Mando Diao, everything they do is the best!

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  123. Good review. Totally agree with you! Mean Street is a great song!

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  124. that review's really amazing!
    mando diao are so good!so is the mean street EP!! i just can't wait to see them live again!!!!!!!!! :D

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  125. GREAT review!
    Loved reading it :) Keep on writing ;)

    MANDO DIAO ROCKS

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  126. MANDO DIAO!!! MEAN STREET!!
    Great Band!!! Great Song!!!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3NAtoXbqRA

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  127. I loved the new EP of Mean Street, Mean Street it's a great song and I'm in love with the new song Wintertime :)

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  128. Mando Diao can't write a bad song and that's one of the reasons that I love them!
    Mean Street is THE summer song and I always get's so happy when I hear it! And Wintertime is one of the most beautiful song I've ever heard!

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  129. Great review! I totally agree. Everything by Mando Diao is awesome and I just can't understand people who don't like them. “Mean Street” is not a typical Mando song, but still great.

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  130. I quite agree with you! MD are just great!

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  131. Great musical export!! The Mandos are IT!

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  132. I can only agree with your review! Mando Diao are simply amazing and Mean Street is one one of their numerous great songs!

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  133. And again a great EP from Mando Diao like always! Great song, great album, great b-sides, great guys!! just must like them

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  134. Such a nice review . Love this EP and of course Jag älskar Mando Diao !

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  135. It is wonderful to see how much people love the music of Mando Diao!
    Thanxs god for it.
    And of course Mean street is a great song which shows again how the guys connect old influence with the style of today.

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  136. Couldn't have said it better =)

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  137. yeeeaah!! Mando are awesome as always...and mean street is awesome like all other Mando Diao songs!!!! i m wondering what the Beatles would say about them!!! maybe we could see them in a concert together!!! :-)))

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  138. Mando Diao only keeps getting better and better as years goes by. Mean Street shows it :).
    Amazing review!

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  139. After Mando Diao showed us their new style on the first two singles from their actal album "Give me fire", now they go back to the roots with this four great tracks on the third EP "Mean Street".

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  140. YEAH ROCK.
    MANDO DIAO MANDO DIAO MANDO DIAO.
    COME TO BRASIL.

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  141. This is so true!! Mando Diao have become the ABBAs of our generation. They inspire me everyday with their songs, which are full of great lyrics combined with their typicall sound,which reminds me of the sound of the sixties( Rollingstones and Beatles) as George alreay wrote in his review.
    Mando Diao`s music is music for everyone,cause they always find away to express the mood of their listeners. So keep on rocking!!!

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  142. you're so true ! sweden is great especially
    mando diao , what would i do without this 5
    albums full of awesome songs ???
    I LOVE MANDO DIAO :)

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  143. This EP is gorgeous
    like the band !
    Great song :)

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  144. mean street is one of the best songs of give me fire, but I like blue lining and the shining too...aren't they brilliant?¿
    MD rocks! ;)

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  145. Mando diao is the best band ever!! I have to listen to them everyday, and mean street is one of their happiest songs, is awesome!!!

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  146. LuckyMan?GodKnows!27 August 2009 at 18:40

    Mando Diao has an unfinishing creativity and always keep me surprise on every release.
    Great review, man!

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  147. Mando Diao is one of the greatest rock bands of the moment. They have a fresh, powerful, awesome sound, I love them. Check them out on tour this fall and winter accross Europe, they're even better live!

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  148. my oh my. You´re dead on! This EP is fantastic... but are we surpriced.. hrm NO! But amazed!

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  149. Mando Diao!!! :D:D

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  150. beatles, stones, MANDO!

    no more comment ;)

    swe80

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  151. I really love Mando diao they are the best !

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  152. I like this EP very much. Mando Diao are a really good band!

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  153. This is how Rock'n'Roll has got to be!
    Simply amazing!

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  154. the best EP they ever released. mando diao is the best rock band

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  155. You are just perfectly right, the EP rocks! it's a must-have for all rock fans!
    Mando we love you keep rockin'!
    Caro

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  156. Well i think as well as you ;)
    we love you mando diao ♥
    and this EP rocks!!

    Dianu!

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  157. Mean Street is one of the best Mando songs ever. Love the idea of this EP. :D

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  158. yeah, you're right with all!
    The EP has four powerfull songs. Mando songs are always full of energy! See them live and you will be blown away!

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  159. Nice review! :D I just can't live without listening to Mando Diao! They always amaze me!

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  160. This EP is SO great! And Mean Street is one of the best songs in the world. MANDO DIAO!

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