Mansic - Beautygone
Label: Kjell Hell
Style: Punk Rock, Swedish Rock, Street Punk
Released: 2005
My Grade: 3.5 stars
AMG: n/a
Sounds like: UK Subs, Stiff Little Fingers, The Clash


Some of you might remember that we released Mansic’s debut EP in America last year (“The Loving Father”), it was a small run and we quickly ran out of the album; but it marked two things – one was the start of us as a music label, and two it marked the entrance of this amazing band into the American musical underground.

While American punk has been either watered down and diluted until it resembles all the latest trends (see: Simple Plan), or sped up and morphed into its own twisted version of glammed out rock (see: The Casualties), this Swedish band has kept it simple and to the point – old school punk rock with a bit of attitude. The thing that really sets these guys apart from their brothers in leather would be that they utilize some folk influences in their music, even making the violin a main part of the band; “But Yellowcard already did that” – yeah yeah, I have heard that objection before, but Mansic has been around longer and they are not watered down wimp rock like the clean ol’boys in Yellowcard. No track truly stands out, but that is not what punk rock is about, it is not about the singles and standout tracks, its about moshing and having a great time in the pit. Crank your volume to eleven and start jumping around – this is the dose of adrenaline you have been waiting for.

These industry veterans just want to get out and rock, they hit fast and hard with this short album and end up delivering a beautiful piece of punk rock history; if you are a fan of 70s punk rock with a slight twist, I highly recommend you pick up this album, but be warned – its not for everyone.

Reviewed by: Samuel Aaron