Lovin' the Hives

Finally, a great, grooving, below-the-belt rock album.

With all apologies to the White Stripes and BRMC, I’ve been waiting all year for a straight-up, chest-out, pound-the-wheel disc like this. Something fun for fun's sake. Man, have Sweden’s Hives delivered with The Black and White Album.

Over 14 whiplash garage-rocking tracks, the nattily matched rowdies swing like the Stones on speed and name-check themselves more than Bo Diddley. All they wanna do is rock your a-- off. They've been around for a few years, but this is by far their best.

His Royal Highness Howlin’ Pelle Almqvist is frontman-as-con man, an arrogant persona with a hellbent howl and a Lothario grin.

If the Hives hammed up their "royal highness" schtick any more, they’d be a novelty band. But everything is written by the group's mysterious sixth member, “Randy Fitzsimmons,” and whoever he is (wink wink), the dude can pen one helluva rock tune.

TO LISTEN TO THE MOST EXCELLENT TICK TICK BOOM, CLICK HERE.

Comments

[Vic]

You really need to get out of the house more.

[Sean Daly]

Vic's back! Where you been, buddy? Hell, I could use a good night on the town. The two of us, solving crimes, breaking hearts. This town never stood a chance.

[Marissa]

Oh My GOD! I shouldn't have clicked that link this early in the morning. I forgot my speakers were turned up and it about shot me out of my skin.
After the coffee I listened to it again. :)

[Dana]

I've got to admit that I'm a fan. They came here with Maroon 5 last month and put on one hell of a show. Almqvist seemed extremely enthusiastic to be here, but all I could understand of his little pep-talks in between songs were the curse words (which was kind of funny, to be honest). All in all, a great new record. He's got a bit of a Mick Jagger complex onstage, too, which is usually obnoxious, but it worked for him.