The Hives
The Black And White Album

THE REVIEW

Introduction

Could 2007 have ended like this??!

Without any musical releases worth remembering??!

It could have... but that's not what happened.

So here I am to review an album that quite surprised me. It’s the latest endeavor of the Scandinavian band The Hives.

To be honest, I've always admired the Swedish quintet, whether for their sincerity or for the immediacy of their songs, but let’s say I never really fell in love with them. I didn’t pay much attention to the release of the new album, announced in Italy for October 15. However, my curiosity, often piqued by bands facing the ultimate test after releasing a great previous album, led me to get ahold of the album in question a few days later. I immediately notice significant differences in style, approach to mainstream, and collaborations. Thus, with the help of the internet and various MySpace pages, I get a clearer idea. It's a technique I often and gladly use... I turn on the player, put on the album, and dive into the internet to discover and understand the whys and wherefores.

I discovered that the album will be released by A&M/Octone Records (which also includes the 5 smoking browns... alias Maroon 5), a label among many that BMG uses to stay in the background... basically to try and conceal from the masses that behind the release of a band with a decidedly independent profile is a Major. It’s a trick that’s been working for years. But I’m certainly not here to discuss market laws... Anyway...what immediately catches the eye is the solemnity and grand presentation of the album. Singles released a month before the album, videos on rotation on major mainstream channels, contests, gadgets, etc... in short, something we've unfortunately been accustomed to for a long time..
Nonetheless, I don’t lose heart and continue my research and listening... already after the first three tracks, I'm on the balcony shouting for a miracle (there was no one there, it was 3 a.m...) but I feel so excited that I immediately put aside my skeptical preconceptions... After all, who cares?? Music first and foremost... You deliver a great album, and I will sing your praises. After all, little else matters...

Do you love rock and roll? Do you love garage punk? Do you love music?? Get yourself "The Black And White Album". Are you, like me, one of the many rockers who already knew and appreciated them??

Keep doing it, brothers.

In conclusion, to sum up, there are 7 or 8 classic Hives tracks, so as not to disappoint us and that's how it is... then there are definitely commendable electronic experiments, "It Won't Be Long” with synth and effects is the confirmation... and a gem of the album. Other electronic transitions are slightly less convincing like the subsequent "T.H.E. H.I.V.E.S.” and "Giddy Up" but don’t worry guys... trust me... the standard only drops on 2 or 3 tracks, and this absolutely doesn’t compromise the listening experience of the entire album from start to finish... indeed, it only diversifies the sound and makes the listening more enjoyable; those who love listening to albums in their entirety know what I’m talking about...

A little anecdote... for 2 weeks, I found myself questioning why I was paying more attention than usual to the dancing on Striscia la Notizia... I didn’t know it, but for a while, they'd been dancing to the single “Tick Tick Boom” released in late August in the States. Go ahead and sneer, uncompromising rock purists, but watching all that goodness dance with the Hives in the background is manna for those who love strong emotions and dangerous for the weak-hearted...

In conclusion, I wonder... if the magic formula that has distinguished them for years uses the aforementioned stylish elements with these results..?

The end justifies the means, always remember that.

Rating: 8.5.

A must-have, to be consumed without restraint.

enjoy90s