The Hives
Barely Legal

THE REVIEW

Let's say that this record comes out three or four years before the rule of the coolest makes the Hives the leading band in the Scandinavian garage sector.
I make this premise so one can approach "Barely Legal" without the prejudices that have characterized those playing in rock'n'roll bands in recent times.

And how did the Hives sound before the media hailed them as the next big thing?
Blazing and tight guitars, fast-paced drums often overshadowing the singer's voice who screams to be heard; in short, their sound was pure and simple hardcore as also demonstrated by the songs whose average length is one minute and forty seconds.
Clear Pixies influences can be heard throughout the CD and, in an isolated case, "Here We Go Again," a faithful tribute to the Stooges.

It gives the idea of having been conceived in two days and recorded in three or four at most, which gives the final product a very immediate and spontaneous attitude.
Half an hour of youthful rage that obviously won’t save rock (since nothing will save it anymore), but will make us nod our heads and dance carefree, especially if we have the chance to see them live.