Mando Diao

It’s only a matter of time before word trickles out about this band, as this foursome from Norway is bursting with talent and a sound like the Verve on uppers, a bit of David Bowie and a twang of Oasis. The music is wide-open rock that switches from mad punk moments to pop choruses with truly mainstream ease. The only problem with Hurricane Bar though is the songs lack cohesion. Each song sounds like a different band. But tracks like the meandering rock of "Down in the Past,” the insanely catchy "Next to be Lowered,” and quirky third-person ballad "Down in the Past” make Mando Diao impossible not to enjoy.