The Hives are back, apparently - lead singer Howlin’ Pelle Almqvist will not shut up about it at the oversold, and then oversold again show at the Bar and Grill in Hoxton. Utilizing a mix of pomposity and rudeness, he interjects each song with assertions that life could not continue without The Hives, that they are far and wide the best band in the world, yep the world, and that depression is the only alternative when not listening to their music. At first I laugh; the man is a born showman, or so he thinks, and this pseudo-soul singer get-up entertains at first. Then I realise this brilliant slice of a singer is serious, and in being so, sanctimonious. He obviously likes pissing people off. But it’s his schtick, and it is funny. Be that as it may, The Hives are not the best band is the world. Far from it. I wish they were, because it would make sweating to death in Hoxton bearable.
The Hives have a sound, and they are content with steaming in it until they pass out. The yet to be titled new album, due out in October, dominates the set, even though anyone uneducated in the history of The Hives is none the wiser. The new songs sound like the old songs; short, punchy chord-and-a-halfers, built on Howlin’ Pelle’s howling and tight, trenchant melodic work by the dual guitarists. Yet, whether they’re rolling out ‘Main Offender’ or a new one, the song titles fail me, it all sounds the same. Plus, the verbose, ridiculous stage banter that Almqvist garrulously spews is unrelenting. In between each song The Hives, in third person of course, are given the title of the best band known to man. I wonder if the best band in the world would be playing at the Hoxton Kitchen, but Almqvist is convinced.
Having disappeared for nearly three years, The Hives and Almqvist do expel an infectious excitement to return, one that inhales much of the crowd in a frenzy of dancing, fist pumping and crowd surfing. All are generally enjoying the showmanship, as its infectiousness does impress. I, however, plum forgot they existed, nor really cared in the first place if they were to ever return. But they are back, in my face, dying for my attention. Yet, all hopes this sold-out, sweaty rock gig would bring me back to the world that The Hives assert beats all other worlds failed.
At set’s end, it was not the feeling of visceral excitement at the return of everyone’s born again favourites that dominated, but that of enduring another mediocre band taking one last stab at fleeting stardom. I blame the repetition of the songs, not the contagiousness inherent within them. Saying that, there is no doubt this new album will propel the Swedish quintet to some sort of critical acclaim, worthy of it or not, even if the songs debuted at the Bar and Grill did not rudder towards brilliance. For example, at night’s end, the crowd was screaming for something old, something all could have a good sing-a-long to, and as the encore unfurled, Almqvist and company opted for another new song to close. Odd choice for a band trying to save their career by rekindling what once was with their depleted fans. Still, The Hives are extremely good at what they do. Problem is, what they do is not very good. Tonight’s gig, nor any gig for that matter, can reverse that.
The Hives shot by Solange Moreira Yeoell
hmmm
sounds pretty fair. I like the hives but i cant say i care for them....
maybe they should have stuck on the "lets do three albums then disappear" plan.
Pretty harsh review...
Although I guess if you're not that fussed about the Hives anyway, any new material isn't really going to change that seen as they stick to what they know and they do it brilliantly. The last Hives album was by far their strongest and from that evidence I can only see them getting better...however, I've not heard any new stuff yet so maybe it'll bomb..but I doubt that. Lets just hope that terrible Timbaland collaboration doesn't make the new album!
Yup
I pretty much agree with this, except i'm thinking that the 5 video cameras dotted around the place were the reason for the choice of venue - not because people aren't interested.
Solange loves The Hives
As my picture and my name is stamped in this review and as a fan of their music I need to stick up for the guys.
I should've asked more about this review. I love photographing in gigs and to tell you I was having so much fun that I didn't even get many good ones.
I many times can't get on with critics because if our opinions differ it will certainly not be a good discussion to have. I like it and you don't. All far too personal and music taste goes like that really.
It was a great night and I am sure the people inside the Hoxton bar was more than happy to sweat, have fun and listen to all the nonsense Pelle come out with. Isn't this called having fun?
This wasn't my first The Hives gig and I am sure it wont be the last one.
See if next time they play you save yourself the pain of sweating and listening to their music and stay home, because they certainly are not your scene mate.
It's funny;
or maybe not - I remember when they first had UK exposure at the time of Strokes, White Stripes, Vines, BRMC etc and I remember thinking 'this is all very nice, but do any of these bands have it in them to progress with each album, like all bands should?'
In the case of The Hives, obviously not. Surely becoming a karaoke version of yourself is really pathetic. Surely doing that and claiming to be 'the best band in the world, known to man, ever, etc.' is doubley pathetic.
I know BRMC had their stab at folk, and the Strokes 'sensationally' unleashed a couple of goth metal songs on their last album, but for the most part, none of that lot progressed in the slightest.
o SHUT UP!
totally disagree...i thought they were brilliant... as usual, if you know that you don't like the hives, don't go and leave the tickets for the hundreds of fans who did want them.
I
wasn't there, but I didn't need to be to know that everything they do sounds exactly like 'Hate To Say I Told You So.'
And by the way, I did like them when I first heard them. But not the constant regurgitations of their old stuff. Sorry.
Exactly
Who does this person think she is to go to a gig then write an objective account of why she didn't entirely enjoy herself? How dare a reviewer have an opinion?
It's shocking. Shocking I tell you...
not what i was saying
i wan't talking about that person i was talking about the other negative responses to this whom i presumed had also been there, on second reading probably not
I haven't seen the Hives in a few years
and I quite liked them when they came around initially... and despite that became rather bored with them just as quickly. So I'm guessing the review is wholly justified.
Tyrannosaurus
was good fun though and oddly the only album of theirs I bought.
erm...
what a pile o' old pants... i caught the hives 100 club show the day before and it was easily one of the best gigs of my life. their music is fast, hard, tuneful, grungy, edgy, poppy... what's not to love. anybody that knows and loves rock 'n' roll can see that the hives are changing music by doing the opposite to what's preceeded them. the new stuff is great and if you don't get their humour, that's your problem, not theirs... they are truly one of the world best live bands and after these recent london shows, my favourite.
"the hives are
changing music by doing the opposite to what's preceeded them"
I really do need to hear a little more on this point.
Is it just me...
or does the guy in the photo look like Rik Mayall?
As for The Hives, I liked that 'Idiot Walk' song. When was that?
1978