The Hives

Ever since The Hives announced themselves as “your new favourite band” with their 2000 breakoutVeni Vidi Vicious (and, more literally with their 2001 comp Your New Favourite Band), the dapper Swedish garage rockers have been churning out progressively poppier records every couple of years. Their latest, 2012’s Lex Hives, seems to prove that the band has been releasing records to diminishing returns since Vicious and 2004’s Tyrannosaurus Hives. Still, The Hives’ live show stands to include “Hate To Say I Told You So,” “Outsmarted,” “Die, All Right!” and all those other songs you thought were legit bangers before you realized that a matching monochrome wardrobe isn’t exactly a marker of a snarling punk authenticity.  

Updated 06/13/2012