The Hives
The Black and White Album
(A&M)
The latest offering from the Swedish garage rockers is also their most experimental, which at first seems to compromise their usually flawless aerodynamics. The Black and White Album bulges with ideas that embrace cheerleaders, wonky old keyboards and a truly horrible song about puppets on strings.
Not all of it works, but repeated listening reveals hidden charms. What initially seemed to be half-baked moments begin to sit easily next to the trademark thrust, precision timing and quick-step chord changes that make the Hives such a treasure.
The sound has also been beefed up, as evident on muscular opener Tick Tick Boom and Square One Here I Come, a raucous, gum-chewing anthem about not paying your bills and not caring.
