Ka Leo O Hawaii

Issue date: 1/17/08 Section: Mixed Plate

The Hives: "The Black and White Album". Release date: November 13, 2007. Label: Inerscope.

Many critics bashed the Hives' last album, 2004's "Tyrannosaurus Hives," tearing it apart and saying how it just wasn't worth listening to. Even their label, Interscope Records, agreed with the harsh comments and was disappointed with the album's lack of sales.

Although half a million records were sold by early 2006, "Tyrannosaurus Hives" was considered a failure by the label, who had won them over in a furious bidding war. So in order to market their latest release, "The Black and White Album," to wider audiences, Interscope forced these free-spirited Swedes to perform in a very un-Hives-like manner - a fall tour opening for Maroon 5 and a brief appearance in a Nike commercial.

Despite a lack of faith from their label, the Hives still found the confidence to be true to themselves on their fourth album. Released in November 2007, "The Black and White Album" contains 14 brilliant, charismatic songs that are filled with infectious energy.

Fans who love the Hives will be happy to know that the band's unique sound and zany sense of humor are scattered throughout the album.

Pelle Almqvist's signature squeals and shouts are heard on the choppy, guitar-driven "You Got It All Wrong." If you hate songs with catchy choruses that get stuck in your head, then skip "Won't Be Long," or you'll find yourself in the shower screaming about the angst and depression of living in a dead-end town.

The rest of the album sees the Hives growing artistically, trying on different genres as if they were hats in a store window. In a surprising twist, Almqvist sings in a sweet falsetto that is accompanied by a funky beat on the track "The H.I.V.E.S."

"Puppet on a String" evokes images of smoky bars from film noir of the 1940s, with Almqvist projecting his Swedish twang over a piano and what sounds like the clicking of a tongue in this creepy number.

Pharrell Williams of The Neptunes only produced two of the songs ("Well All Right!" and "The H.I.V.E.S.") that made it onto the album, and while those tunes are interesting, you can't help but wish he spent a little more time in the studio with the Hives. If Williams can work magic with Gwen Stefani's songs, then why can't he do the same for a band that actually writes their own lyrics and plays their own music?

From beginning to end, "The Black and White Album" leaves the listener ecstatic, craving more from these Scandinavian fellows like a caffeine junkie in need of a cup of joe. One can only pray that by the time they make their fifth record, The Hives will have left Interscope and found a new label that not only believes in them but leaves this talented five-piece alone. Then maybe they can spend more energy on their music and less time as an opening act for cheesy rockers who love to croon their hearts out.

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