So for the band who knew exactly what their ‘major hit’ album became, and what other people thought about them too, and knew exactly what music they wanted to continue making, it was surely obvious that their next album, ‘Tyrannosaurus Hives’ was going to be a complete counter-attack of the slightly superficial popularity if ‘Your New Favourite Band’. After all to the band, all ‘Your New Favourite Band’ was meant to be was an obvious attempt to get bands to copy The Hives. They, with that record were making their own power in the music industry without even doing that much. They wanted more bands that play the music they love to emerge into the big time. But it didn’t seem to be working. So this was the result.

However, this is possibly their most challenging album to music yet. As here, they are showing incredibly smart lyrics, a really dynamic edge to their music, and an attitude that probably won’t ever stop growing. The albums opener ‘Abra Cadaver’ is basically the Hives at their best. Playing the great garage rock/punk rock music they love with great emotion, lyrics being shouted across by Pelle and Nicholaus and all in all a great track. ‘Two-Timing touch and Broken Bones’ however is their first dive into the smarter lyrics, and well evolved music The Hives have now divulged into. This being their song about their record deal being sold by Epitaph/Burning Heart Records. Musically, this a great piece too. All instruments complementing each other and calling and responding.

Now, the single ‘Walk, Idiot Walk,’ may sound innocent enough being their most recent “commercial” song. But actually, this song is a brutal attack at everyone who classed The Hives with any other band, and what’s even more brilliant about it is the irony that, because people aren’t even listening to their proof that they aren’t like any other band, this song could well carry on justifying The Hives’ position as a fad to those who don’t listen.

The next few songs don’t lose momentum either, with ‘No Pun Intending’ being a response to everyone who though The Hives were a joke of a band, and musically, the brilliant ‘B is for Brutus’. This track as a whole has brilliant work between all instruments, vocals included, and is a highlight of the album for sure. The biggest surprise of the album however, is ‘Diabolic Scheme’. An amazing nu-wave punk song, whose most obvious influences can be pointed straight at The Cure. A fantastic song with amazing string samples use, and Pelle really showing what he can do vocally, and possibly if best described here as ‘crooning’ and overall shows the band’s eclectic and general musical ability. ‘Missing Link’ is proof that this is an album for all Hives fans too, as it is easily the most predictable to The Hives’ sound, standing at just under 2 minutes and being a general punk fusion that they are so good at doing.

This album is one of an evolving band, and was an adventurous one at that. But there’s no doubt here that they got the point across, that they are not just another garage rock fad, and that this album did what intended to do, prove themselves. However, it almost seems like a bridge. Either to their best album yet, or to the end of the band, it seems extreme, but that really is what this album seems to show. But I’m sure you would be with me when we say that we would prefer the former to happen.