The Black And White Album
by The Hives
User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 34 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 34
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 34
  3. Negative: 5 out of 34

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  1. ChrisU.
    Nov 12, 2007
    6
    Sputnikmusic's review is right on. Some songs are good (sticking to the very familiar but well constructed Hives' template), such as Try It Again, You Got It All Wrong, and Bigger Hole To Fill, while some songs aren't so good (trying too hard to stretch the scope of the band's sound), such as T H E H I V E S, etc. The latter are somewhat interesting simply because it Sputnikmusic's review is right on. Some songs are good (sticking to the very familiar but well constructed Hives' template), such as Try It Again, You Got It All Wrong, and Bigger Hole To Fill, while some songs aren't so good (trying too hard to stretch the scope of the band's sound), such as T H E H I V E S, etc. The latter are somewhat interesting simply because it is The Hives straying away from being The Hives, but aren't good enough or complete enough to keep you coming back. Still others fall somewhere inbetween. Almzvist's lyrics are the biggest dissappointment here, with most of the songs containing lines that either sound like a seventh grader wrote them or thoughts don't make much sense at all. I suppose that has always been The Hives' weakest point, though. Like the review stated, once you have spun this disc a few times to take all of it in, you realize what was fun to hear once, but can be left behind. Once those songs are eliminate, you are left with just over half of an album that is a fun romp through the familiar frenzy of Hiveland. Hence, the score of 6. I will say this, when they are on, they can rock it like no Swedes I have ever heard before. Dare I say they have slightly improved upon their usual formula, making the songs longer (with better construction) than the 2 minute rapid-fire assault of Veni Vidi Vicious. Okay, fine: 6 1/2. Well, no, wait: 6 1/4. Whatever.… Expand
  2. SilverMan
    Jun 12, 2012
    6
    Yeah, The Hives are not punk anymore...Their last albums have more fast, aggressive and catchy songs. It doesn't mean that TBAWA is slower and boring. "Tick Tick Boom" and "Hey Little World are great rock songs, but if you listen to songs like "Giddy Up! or "Puppet On A String", you'll rapidly think: This is no rock! It's a weak album, but The Hives still got one of the best liveYeah, The Hives are not punk anymore...Their last albums have more fast, aggressive and catchy songs. It doesn't mean that TBAWA is slower and boring. "Tick Tick Boom" and "Hey Little World are great rock songs, but if you listen to songs like "Giddy Up! or "Puppet On A String", you'll rapidly think: This is no rock! It's a weak album, but The Hives still got one of the best live perfomances on Earth.… Expand

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 27 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 27
  3. Negative: 0 out of 27
  1. BBC collective
    90
    Throughout, monster riffs abound. Perhaps this monochrome-clad cartoon combo are as great as singer Howlin’ Pelle always said they were.
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  2. Blender
    60
    Most of the album, like the single 'Tick Tock Boom,' sticks to formula. [Nov 2007, p.150]
  3. Dot Music
    60
    The Black And White Album feels less like a fresh start than the end of something.
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