Danish retro-rock quartet The Blue Van’s third album basically continues where the debut, ‘The Art Of Rolling’ (2005), and ‘Dear Independence’ (2006) left us. Basically, because although they keep their retro-cool there are a few notable changes on ‘Man Up’.

The first that springs to ear are the songs. There are more and they’re better. Second the apparent lack of Hammond organ, one of the defining instruments in rock history and a big part of The Blue Van’s expression earlier, which leads to the third change: More guitars.

It’s still bluesy riff-based rock dressed in velour as it was played first in the 1960s and 1970s and this time around Steffen Westmark, Søren Oakes Christensen, Allan Villadsen and Per Jørgensen have added a touch of glam to the mix in among others excellent singles ‘Silly Boy’ and ‘Man Up’.

‘In Love With Myself’ works along the lines of the latest British invasion spearheaded by Franz Ferdinand and recently The Fratellis, ‘The Socialite’ is laid back boogie-blues, and ballads ‘True’, ‘Lay Me Down And Die’ and ‘Trees That Resemble’ make sure we don’t loose our breath completely. Thumping ‘I’m A Man’ is spiced up with surprise appearance from rapper Shaka Loveless (The Gypsies, Are We Brothers?) and saxophone, while ‘Out Of Control’ is just that.

The Blue Van still wait on the mainstream breakthrough, but with ‘Man Up’ chances have never been better. Samsung have used ‘Silly Boy’ in a US TV and radio campaign and in November the title track was featured in the new Beverly Hills 90210 TV series. Oh, and then it’s just a really good rock’n’roll album.

Genre: Rock
Who: The Blue Van
Title: Man Up
Label: Iceberg Records/Playground
Year: 2008
Country: Denmark
Language: English
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Recommended tracks:
Man Up – Silly Boy – The Socialite – In Love With Myself – True – I’m A Man