Calgary band the Mandates released their debut self-titled album in March. WIth their CD release party coming up this Friday at Broken City, I decided to check out their new album. Described as having a 70’s style punk sound with a power pop leaning, The Mandates’ album definitely delivers. Fun, catchy, inviting and raw, this album keeps true to it’s punk influences yet manages to stand out with an original sound. The first song, Is She Coming Back? starts out hard and fast and caught my attention, and before the song was done, I found myself bopping around my apartment (thank goodness the curtains were closed!). This is not an album to chill out to – it’s way too much fun for that! The song Terminal Teenager has a great guitar rift and, come on, that’s the best title ever. Who doesn’t want to dance around yelling “TERMINAL TEENAGER!” I think even actual teenagers would be into that.
Another favourite was She Gets her Kicks From Terry Six (Not Me). Catchy and fun, I just wanted to party, like, really party. Well okay, not too crazy, but a little more than loner dancing in my apartment! This is the kind of album that you should play before you head out for a night of fun. Like, if you go check out the Mandates at Broken City this Friday. Based on their album, it’s gonna be a hell of a show!