The Hives – The Hives Forever, Forever The Hives
Introduction; Enough is Enough; Hooray Hooray Hooray; Bad Call; Paint A Picture; O.C.D.O.D; Legalize Living; Interlude; Roll Out The Red Carpet; Born A Rebel; They Can’t Hear The Music; Path Of Most Resistance; The Hives Forever, Forever The Hives.
(PIAS Recordings)

'Subtlety' is not a word that could be used to describe The Hives; anyone who has attended one of their raucous concerts will attest that it feels like being grabbed by the scruff of the neck and shaken around – not once but numerous times. The band, possessing the energy of a truckload full of high-energy caffeine drinks, never does things by halves, which aligns perfectly with the spirit of this fun, memorable, and thrilling album.

Anyone expecting this Swedish tour de force to calm down slightly in their advancing years might want to think again after hearing this blistering set of songs. After Enough is Enough has thrashed your eardrums into an intense state, some might be apt to say that enough is definitely enough with this galloping romp that recalls the chaos of American punk band Rocket From The Crypt mixed with the melody of The Strokes.

Less rowdy is Born a Rebel, but it still manages to throw a killer blow on a track that catches the sweaty spirit of rock ‘n’ roll. Elsewhere, Legalise Living rallies against the nanny state, and Bad Call harks back to the days of Glam Rock; surprisingly, there is even a touch of Euro pop on Path Of Most Resistance.

If the band were looking for a theme tune, then closing number The Hives Forever, Forever The Hives is a good contender. In the past they have mentioned themselves in their songs; in this instance there is no difference, yet they add a melody that is as catchy as the common cold, which ultimately leaves the listener in a hot fever – just like the rest of this compelling album. Welcome to the madness.