A fresh revitalization of familiar sounds

The Hives are a semi recent, semi dated Swedish garage rock sensation stemming back to the late 90s and early 2000s, recently releasing their latest album The Death Of Randy Fitzsimmons. This project is an extremely satisfying and rewarding listen, especially to those who’ve followed the band’s growth over the years. The Hives confidently hold onto their signature, unadulterated sound on The Death Of Randy Fitzsimmons, wholeheartedly subscribing to the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” theory.

This project opens up with a bang, featuring perhaps the catchiest tune on the album. “Bogus Operandi” acts as an electrifying introduction to The Death Of Randy Fitzsimmons, with classic Hives guitar chords, drums and bass, all distorted and driven to the perfect level. Singer Pelle Almqvist’s vocals are superb as always, formulated with the perfect amount of crisp, crunchy inflections. Almqvist’s subtle accent effortlessly complements the track, giving his voice yet another detailed layer to indulge in.

“Smoke & Mirrors” is another hit track on the album, hosting an energetic yet somber feel. The chord progression that comes in and out through this track for the verses is something special. It feels nostalgic, like a perfect summer day that ultimately leads up to a memory of the past. The chorus adds to the excitement, as Almqvist emotively repeats the lyrics “Smoke and mirrors, baby.” He sounds humorous but slightly bitter, as if he is reflecting on a past moment that might have its complications.

“Two Kinds Of Trouble” is also worth mentioning. This classic, yet brand new Hives song is carried with powerful drums that occupy a majority of the mix. There is a lot of sonic space on this track, alluding to an overall presence of percussion and vocals. This gives the song a very pop feel. The track is punchy, bright and immediate in its motions.

Overall, The Death Of Randy Fitzsimmons is a spectacular album worth listening to. It is a testament to the longevity of The Hives, specifically the longevity of their musical quality. Since 1997, The Hives have produced nothing but pure art. This latest release goes to show they don’t plan on stopping anytime soon.