Mando Diao sure were happy.

At least, the Swedish garage rock/mod revivalists were on their 2003 debut.

The band’s brilliant debut toed the line between smarmy arrogance and refreshing optimism.

Dual vocalists Gustaf Noren (arrogance) and Bjorn Dixgard (optimism) alternated songs flawlessly as if they understood humans have two innate desires: (1) to look at life through rose colored glasses, and (2) to hear crunching guitar laid on top of catchy percussion and dark melodies.

Yet, maybe ex-organist Daniel Haglun was the force that reminded the front men duality was a good thing for Mando Diao.

Since his departure, the band has leapt mop-topped head first into angrier, road-weary tales of bitter loves lost. The growingly cynical Noren commandeers the lead for the majority of the album and tucks Dixgard’s loungy, Las Vegas croon behind strained yelps and tiresome whining.

Noren still writes songs strong enough to partially combat the cliche sophomore slump but weak enough to leave us wanting more.

Luckily, during the track “God Knows” we can almost hear Dixgard smiling while he sings the chorus.

Maybe it’s a hint at what is to come or just a tease of what was.