The garage rock revival in the 2000’s was a glorious time in music history and no band better captured that unhinged energy for high school me than The Hives. I remember popping this CD into my navy blue Walkman one day and literally playing this album over and over and over again everywhere I went— between class, walking home from school, on road trips with my parents. I’m serious when I say this album probably stayed in that Walkman for a full month straight before I even considered the possibility of taking it out.
Between the fun approach the band took to their stage names (they all gave themselves nicknames like Dr. Destruction and Chris Dangeous), their striking visual style of wearing matching suits to every performance, and the frenetic energy of every single song, I was totally hooked.
Twenty three years later that feeling hasn’t changed. I still love Howlin’ Pelle Almqvist’s high pitched voice cracks, Dr. Matt Destruction’s rumbling distorted bass, Chris Dangerous’ animalistic drum patterns, and the piercing guitar tones of Nicholaus Arson and Vigilante Carlstroem. The Hives are a double shot of expresso mixed with adrenaline and injected straight into your veins.
If you’re looking for a 27-minute pick me up, Veni Vidi Vicious has you covered.
Standout Songs: “Hate To Say I Told You So”, “Die, All Right!”, “A Get Together To Tear It Apart”
