NOMADS - Solna (Loaded Deluxe Edition) LP

Highly recommended.

Expanded reissue. A stunning record, long after the band's heyday in the 1980s.

The formula is simple: a strong frontman, Nick Vahlberg, a guitar hero, Hans Ostlund, a powerful drummer, Joakim Werning, and a multi-talented bassist and composer, Bjorne Froberg. The Nomads are an institution in Europe after more than 40 years.

Solna was named after the Stockholm neighborhood from which they emerged in 1981, paving the way for the garage rock scene of the time.

"Aside from the Pebbles compilations, not much was known about the garage bands of the '60s and many people first heard those great songs in The Nomads version," according to Chips K (famous Swedish producer - Hellacopters, la Secta -- and member of Sator). "But one thing that distinguishes the band from many other revival bands is that they never just copied the sound of the originals. They added extra influences such as punk, power pop and hard rock. That special recipe is what still makes their sound unique."

Bands like The Hellacopters, Maharajas, and Sator are direct descendants of what The Nomads created. They were closer to Australian punk rock and took varied influences to create something completely their own. The Nomads deliver hair-raising authenticity of rock and roll with unsurpassed purity. They are still as good as ever. In fact, they are probably even better now. After many years of career, The Nomads produced their strongest album to date.