Review by Phil Rozier for MPM
It’s Wednesday night and there’s a weird phenomenon happening outside my window. This clear looking liquid is falling from the sky, as the clouds draw in and the sun begins to drop behind the trees. Apparently, this is what they call rain. The South of England hasn’t seen such an occurrence since earlier in June (for the factoid police, I’m telling you, go check that as I’m making it up for artistic effect).
What I’m not making up, is right now, I’m just moments away from listening to The Hives new record. Released later this week, the music gods have granted me the gift of early access. Somehow, those impending clouds, and the darker evenings don’t seem so gloomy. I’ve got The Hives new album!!! ‘The Hives Forever, Forever The Hives’, is the Swedish punk rockers (yes that’s right, I’ve called them punk rockers!) 7th studio album. And they’ve taken their time. The black and white suit wearing bangers started in 1993, and the following film quote ‘ooh, since before you were born’ is a special little easter egg for those born 20 years earlier than that! The point being, The Hives aren’t a new thing. Starting in 93, they didn’t really hit mainstream recognition until the early 2000’s.
They’ve taken their time to impact the world, to improve their craft, slowly but surely, like actual Hives, they’ve infiltrated us, become part of society and the household furniture.
On starting Track 1, I’m wondering whether I’ve made the right call. My ears are still ringing from the Sex Pistols weekend show (check out the Metal Planet Music Review), it’s now dark outside, and straight away I’m hooked and yet fearful. The volume increases, and the creepy vintage fair ground music blends into haunting voices, and a classical music reference doesn’t go unnoticed. At only 28 seconds long, the intro causes me to tense up, knowing something wicked this way comes. And… smack! ‘Enough is Enough’ (also see Metal Planet Music singles reviews) starts making my ears bleed. ‘Everyone’s a fucking bitch’. Gotta be the best opening line of a track this year, right? ‘Sick of everyone’s bullshit’. Ok The Hives, you’ve got me. ‘Enough is Enough’ is a straight up banger. Is this what the album is going to be about? Let’s find out…
Track 3 doesn’t change pace. It’s another 3 minutes, fast, twangy telecaster riffing megatrack. Simply called ‘Hooray, Hooray, Hooray’, I can’t agree enough. This is what music is made for. Pure enjoyment.
‘Bad Call’ follows. Just over 3 minutes, and with a slightly slower start. But that’s no bad thing. It feels kind of like a live show. The first 3 songs are exhausting. I’m lost in the mosh, my sunglasses that were stowed upon one’s bald head are never to be seen again, I’ve eaten a couple of shoulders draped in long sweaty hair and somewhere within a 20-foot radius is my left shoe. I’ve taken a breather, but that’s all I’m given. Within a few seconds, the chorus kicks in, and there goes the other shoe. ‘Bad Call’ is the kind of track you play over and over whilst dancing round the kitchen.
We’re not stopping. Put that tea down. There’s no time for a break. Track 5, ‘Paint a Picture’ is just 2mins and 48 seconds of great punk attitude. Having just come from a punk festival this past weekend, this track is definitely inspired by those early anti-establishment bands such as the Buzzcocks or The Stranglers. In fact, I’d now see The Hives headline over any of those founders. The Hives have proven what is possible to become, after those early influences make space for the modern rhetoric.
‘O.C.D.O.D’ What a name (actual laughing). I know what the title refers to, and I know what the track sounds like. And you readers don’t yet know what’s to come. Just wait. You’ll get it. At 1min 43 seconds or something similar (I forget now), that’s the whole point. Mental.
‘Legalize Living’ pleasures us next. Probably you’ve heard it already if you’re a fan as this single was released a few weeks back. Police sirens, thumping tubs and that classic tele twang. It’s actually a touch slower than the previous 6 tracks, but the slower pace and melodic chords is welcomed at this stage. Especially for those who have lost a shoe. Now’s your best chance to find it. Track 8 is somewhat unorthodox. It’s called ‘Interlude’ and serves just that purpose. I’m beginning to think this album is like a live show. Maybe it was designed that way, and I’ve just not done my research in advance.
On that Columbo style assessment then, is track 9, post ‘Interlude’ an absolute banger where I’ll lose my shit in the crowd and end up meeting Mr Big from security as he hoiks me out and over the barrier? Well, yes, yes it is. ‘Roll Out the Red Carpet’ begins with a steady but pacey drumbeat. Guitars follow, and Howling Pelle continues to strut his voice and I expect suit clad body up and down the studio.
Track ten is a mammoth of a song, lasting all of just 3 seconds over 3 minutes. With a touch of ‘abracadabra’ about it (wait for it, you’ll see, or hear even). ‘Born a Rebel’ continues to match the attitude of the record so far.
‘They Can’t Hear the Music’ is just another belting great track. The tempo is higher than ever, and the track just belts from verse to chorus and back again, then back round again. I’m not sure where it starts or finishes by this point. Nor do I care. It’s a singalong belter of a sweaty club song. Everyone loves a ‘whoah whoah whoah’ in a track, and this serves that preferred sauce by the bottle.
If there is any criticism I could lay at the feet of these Swedish rockers, is that I’m already on track 12, and I don’t want the album to finish after 13 tracks! At I expect less than 40 minutes in duration, the album is a fast paced, modern rock record inspired by vintage punk.
As track 13 plays through, the most recent single ‘The Hives Forever, Forever The Hives’ continues to keep the pace and attention. I love the way the verses can balance some almost indie sounding late 90’s feel, and then they can smash you with an aggressive chorus, causing you to sometimes think if it’s the same band.
Don’t get me wrong, it isn’t Slayer or Anthrax, as I also love some 80’s thrash, but, The Hives for me have bridged that teenage 90’s 6th form common room alternative feel, utterly fused with late 70’s grit, spit and attitude. Mix them together, and you’ve got a totally relevant, up to date, focused rock band, that prioritises their own enjoyment along with the crowds as part of their very reason to exist.
Genres, or subgenres aside, this is just a great punk rock album. If you like that kinda thing, then you just have to buy it. Simple as.
Get to their launch shows in early September. If you can’t make that, you must get to the UK leg of the world tour in November. It’ll be a sense and sound to enjoy. See you there.
