CD of The Week

Swedish garage-rockers The Hives broke onto the scene in America almost a decade ago with the hit single “Hate To Say I Told You So.” The band has been laying low in recent years, but they’re back with Lex Hives, their first album in five years. (The album title roughly translates to "law of the Hives.") The high energy band’s new record is more of a straightforward rocker than their last,The Black And White Album, which was a bit “experimental” by their standards.

“Come On!” may be the perfect Hives album opener, especially since it contains exactly three words: “come,” “on” and “everybody.” Lead single “Go Right Ahead” rips a bit from “Don’t Let Me Down” by ELO (but it’s OK, the band gave ELO a credit on the tune). Lex Hives barely lets up, there’s nothing close to resembling a slow song on a record chock full of hyperactive tracks like “1,000 Answers,” “Patrolling Days” and “If I Had A Cent.” There’s also the strutting, egotistical “I Want More” and “These Spectacles Reveal The Nostalgics” is not only an incredible song title, but one of the hookiest highlights of the album.

Lex Hives isn’t going to set the world afire, but it’s certainly another totally rockin’ Hives record and I’m sure the new songs will all kill live, as Howlin' Pelle and company always put on an outstanding show. In fact, they’ll be at The Electric Factoryon Wednesday, June 20th.