The Hives – Lex Hives: Album Reviews

There’s just something so very appealing about the way The Hives go about things. I can’t exactly tell whether it’s their inflated sense of grandeur, extravagant dress code or infectious rock ‘n’ roll grooves that makes them such a complete package, but their status as ‘that band that EVERYONE likes’ remains as strong as ever after the release of their 5th studio album Lex Hives.

Lex Hives is nothing too different to what you’ve heard from Howlin’ Pelle Almqvist and his cohorts before; plenty of piercing guitars, crunchy rhythms and powerful vocals. They’re all sing-a-long worthy and they’re all delivered in short, sharp 3-minute portions for easy digestion.

C’mon is perhaps the perfect embodiment of The Hives’ approach: simple, catchy and busloads of energy. Put simple, how can you go wrong with one lyric?

First single Go Right Ahead is a charming salute to a well-worn ELO classic , and has the added feature of a delayed ending that’s a radio announcer’s worst nightmare! I Want More channels the so-daggy-its-cool hip hop energy of Deborah Harry’s efforts on The Rapture, and Take Back The Toys is proof that Almqvist and co. still have a few neat surprises left in them.

Lex Hives isn’t quite the redefinition of rock ‘n’ roll that some people probably want. However, if you can look past this then I’ll suggest you’ll deeply enjoy this highly enjoyable collection of loud and proud – and top hat and tails-wearing – rock ‘n’ roll.