Music ReviewThe Hives
"Veni Vidi Vicious"
(Sire/Burning Heart/Epitaph)
Three and a half stars
Unlike the allergic reaction, Swedish garage rockers the Hives were successfully infectious in 2002. The band's tireless energy, black-and-white outfits, and musical combination of '60's classic rock and '70's punk spread more like chicken pox throughout the world, while receiving praise from critics and fans alike.
Their re-released second album, "Veni Vidi Vicious", shows that the Hives know how to take the best parts of rock music -- attitude, energy, wit, style, and rebellion -- and whittle them down into catchy two-minute songs.
The CD's opening track, "The Hives -- Declare Guerre Nucleaire", demonstrates their ironic clash of old-school rock and modern-day-themed lyrics -- in this case, about atomic war ("Had an atomic bore in 2004/ Played some atomic tricks in 2006"). Lead vocalist Howlin' Pelle Almqvist lives up to his nickname; the lyrics, "Got out way late in 2008," come out of him as if he were channeling Little Richard.
When Almqvist isn't replicating classic rock icons, he tries to croon like old R&B singers. On the band's rendition of Jerry Butler's "Find Another Girl", Almqvist, who's actually singing, sounds like a heartbroken drunk, who's decided to sing some karaoke to ease the pain. The song seems out of place, since it's the only slow one on the album. Nonetheless, the Hives fail to lose their charm with the song's new-wave keyboards and romantic guitars.
Of course, people can't listen to the CD and see the Hives energetic concerts. But fans can pop the CD into a computer and watch music videos for "Die, All Right!", "Main Offender", and their hit single, "Hate to Say I Told You So".
Enjoying the Hives' music means seeing past their outfits and charm. They may not be as good as their influences, and the garage rock hype is already fading, but the kind of high-octane music on "Veni Vidi Vicious" is what's left in the end.
