I enjoyed the Hives as a show. Same with the opener to a lesser degree.
But the Hives don’t really have one song that moves me. Howling Pelle is a great master of ceremonies. But the songs are just standard by the numbers amped up rock and roll and while that has a place it doesn’t leave me with anything. “Come on” is a perfect example. Yes it’s enjoyable but a nothing burger.
I wanted to see the spectacle I had heard so much about, and am glad I did, but few bands have gotten so much from so little. It’s all artifice and insubstantial….at least to me. Their reputation precedes them so they don’t even have to work all that hard as they hold the audience in the palm of their hands from go.
Couldn't agree with this review any more...
Here is my take...the Hives put on a phenomenal live show, just nonstop rock and roll with a front man who knows how to work a crowd
Is their music life changing...nah
Did they have 1200 people responding to everything Howlin' Pelle said or did...fuck yeah
Do they have stage ninjas - hell yeah
I really like the new album and we got 6 songs, so that also made me happy
I love Come On...best two-word song out there
Pelle works so hard to keep the crowd happy...don't see that much from bands anymore
I don't think I'd ever miss a hives show if they were in town
alas, never saw art brut, so don't know what that's all about