World domination by sharply dressed

In the third studio release from the Swedish garage rock following the critically acclaimed “Tyrannosaurus Hives,” we’re presented with something that follows in the Hives usual footprints of raunchy garage rock and still is just as good.

There isn’t anything strange and ridiculous about the Hives that hasn’t been said before and they probably aren’t going to change so I figure that’s not the pertinent comparison between the band’s prior albums. It’s a lot of the same distinctive sound of garage revival rock which in comparison to everything else out today is like the giant angst ridden pimple of the rock music scene. It’s blaring, it’s ridiculously themed lyrics, and, quite frankly, it is a style that isn’t anywhere in the current popular music scene. Still, I was giddy when I saw the album sitting there on the CD rack.

As an overall album, it has the music I’ve come to expect, but there are some key differences from any of their past work. “A Stroll Through Hive Manor Corridors” is a instrumental track that strikes me as very uncharacteristic. It’s very ominous and strikes me as lacking any point to be made, which is funny as an afterthought but I’ve found myself preferring not to sit through it and skipping back to the more natural Hives. After several tracks in, the album also takes a turn musically that I’ve never experienced from their previous album, “Tyrannosaurus Hives.” Initiating the deeper funk of songs like “Walk Idiot Walk,” “T.H.E.H.I.V.E.S.” with its claim of dominance and deep vocals and “Won’t be Long” with an equally unique sound when compared to “A Stroll Through Hive Manor Corridors,” it’s a brief interlude into the creative force that is the band. “Giddy Up,” while having a few good qualities is again more confusing then enjoyable. The album ends on a great high note and left me with less qualms about actual time length then their last.

On a critical note for the album, it explores new styles for the group while retaining the same pulse throbbing enthusiasm and welcomed shameless self promotion. They don’t stray too far from the rock feel in most of their new musical endeavors and in fact seem to align themselves with a catchier pop style, especially in “T.H.E.H.I.V.E.S.” As mentioned before though, some of the songs are so far out of any expectation that they just didn’t belong on the final cut of songs. It would be interesting to see what didn’t get on the album just to know what other new directions the band had attempted.

When balancing everything out, I like the album, but more in a casual capacity. There’s nothing wrong with that, and there is nothing wrong with the album, but it has started to show me the declining appeal for the band in the mainstream. It doesn’t cater to the masses, and that’s great artistically, but when you stand by the same clear cut image of past work, there isn’t any excuse.

Official Thorn rating: 3 elephants