1. Blendycat

   10

   I will just say it. This is the best record The Hives have ever put forth. I have listened to it literally on repeat all day and I still cannot pick a favorite track. The Swedes deliver the tunes on this one folks. This will be a shorter review as they have just rendered me speechless. The two Josh Homme-produced bonus tracks are totally worth buying the deluxe edition too. ZOMG SOooo bombastically fantastic (snagged that last phrase from a Crave review/ sorry but no other description does it justice).… Expand

   • Helpful? 1 of 1 users said Yes.
2. MassiveVaffels

   10

   "Lex Hives" is a collection of songs that will coerce you to willingly jump off a Zeppelin you just impulsively rented and commit death-defying scissor kicks mid-air during your lunch break. Book a physiotherapist or get a doctor's appointment now because you will be arm-windmilling your way through life in grateful hysterics, and I'm pretty certain The Hives would like you to attend their next live show with your imaginary health bar filled at 100% so they have the task in reducing it to 0.01%. The extra is so you can get home - they look after you. This band feeds off energy and noise, and this album is a courtesy reminder of how much you should appreciate the existence of The Hives.
   
   The tracks all mould together nicely, but you can easily distinguish each one from another. Third track "1000 Answers" just screams 'come and get me' with a sound that would easily fit in with their third stunner "Tyrannosaurus Hives" (2004). With a soulful breath of experimentation in "Without the Money," and a return to swift, pulsating guitars in "These Spectacles Reveal The Nostalgics," they cleverly conclude with the catchy, horn-enhanced "Midnight Shifter". There is a vast degree of ferociousness unleashed during track 6 of this masterpiece "Patrolling Days." It is the lengthiest song on "Lex Hives," however it gradually carries itself as a powerful anthem which accumulates the bombarding roars of all the instruments along with Howlin' Pelle Almqvist's unheeding bellows of liberation to birth a gluttonous monster developed from a substantial punk diet.
   
   The Hives deserve all the accolade they can get from their self-produced, self-funded 5th album. Breaking free from Interscope's clutches was always going to be a good move from anyone's perspective. After almost two decades together with the same band members, this band really understands that they don't need to drastically change their sound to appease anyone. From the moment Chris Dangerous hits the drums during the opening track, the mood of the entire album is set - leave no sweat glands unstimulated; it's time to rock 'n' roll.
   
   There is also a really good reason to get the deluxe version because the Josh Homme produced bonus tracks add a generous touch of spice to The Hives' expanding catalogue. It's a 10 from me for the deluxe version. Welcome to the family, "Lex Hives."… Expand

   • Helpful? 1 of 2 users said Yes.
3. ECD80

   8

   The Hives new album Lex Hives is a return to form! It packs many punches! Instead of reinventing their sound they go back into their own catalog and borrow material. Which isn't a bad thing. When they tried to reinvent their sound with Pharrell Williams (i'm gonna say it - i HATE Pharrell's style) on their last album, 2007's The Black and White Album it felt equally inspired and cheesy. Even though it sounds familiar in sonic structure, the new album offers many new tricks. Including the overwhelmingly positive 1000 Answers. I Want More sounds like an early 80's arena rock song soaked over night in punk rock juices! If you have ever liked the band in the past you will no doubt enjoy Lex Hives! The first half catches on more effectively but the second half doesn't lose focus this time around - it's a punk revival and i loved it! (8 out of 10) Key Tracks: Go Right Ahead, 1000 Answers, I Want More, Take Back The Toys, These Spectacles Reveal The Nostalgics… Expand

   • Helpful? 0 of 0 users said Yes.
4. AlexxTrusc

   6

   Undoubtedly, the great advantage of Sweden's The Hives since the great "Veni Vidi Vicious" is a Pelle Almqvist's vocal and airy, expressive and exuberant style of play. A similar style there is presented on the album "Lex Hives" but this kind of playing works out until band presents present more subdued arrangement. Unfortunately, most of the compositions on the album ("My Time Is Coming", "Patrolling Days") are a pure punk songs, where you can't hear potential, and the songs seems only average.… Expand

   • Helpful? 0 of 0 users said Yes.

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