If you were asked to name two Swedish bands who released greatest hits albums, you’d probably struggle after the obvious first choice. But now, it seems, the answer has presented itself with a release from, bizarrely enough, the Hives. If you think the idea of a greatest hits CD after just 3 years and 2 full-lengthers is a bit odd, then you’re probably not alone. Released exclusively in the UK by label Poptones, it features all the “best bits” from the bands previous “Barely Legal”, “Veni Vidi Vicious” and “a.k.a. I-D-I-O-T” Burning Heart releases, squeezing 12 tracks into barely over 28 minutes of music.
The first four tracks are featured on the latest Hives’ release “Veni Vidi Vicious”, and provide arguably the strongest part of the CD. Things kick off (as so often they do) in superb fashion with the great riff that introduces “Hate To Say I Told You So”. Due for re-release as a single in early Feb 2002, its a perfect example of a great Hives’ tune, and provides a expectation of great things to come. You barely notice the end of the track when “Main Offender” begins and instantly sounds very similar to the previous tune. The riff is different, as is the structure, but it just feels like an extension of the previous tune. That said, it’s still a decent offering, and one of the stand out tracks on the album, showing the Hives are capable of writing good sing-a-long tracks. “Supply and Demand” slows it down with a lazier, relaxed sound. It’s not bad, it’s just compared to the previous two tracks, it’s kinda boring. The chorus consists of simply repeating the title over and over (and over) again. You’d think the lyrics had taken a back seat to improve the other aspects of the song, but no, it’s all pretty average.
“Die, All Right!”, on the other hand, is a totally different kettle of fish. Featured on previous Burning Heart compilations, it’s a great example of what the Hives can achieve when they put their heads together. Anyone who isn’t singing along (after deciphering the cryptic “selling body parts” lyrics) should probably seek help. It’s the Hives at their very best, if they can keep churning out stuff of this quality, super-stardom surely beckons.
Tracks 5 to 7 are taken from the “a.k.a. I-D-I-O-T” EP, and its from here on in things take a slight, but for the most part unfaltering, decline. At a shade over a minute and a half, “Untutored Youth” is a token speedy number which degenerates into an inane rant about halfway through before finding its feet again. Definitely one to skip. “Outsmarted” is only slightly better, saved from its so-so guitar work and tedious chorus by marginally more interesting verse vocals. “Mad Man” concludes probably the worst section of the disc, and is as bland as the previous offering. It’s a good job, then, that the next two tracks, taken from the debut full-lengther “Barely Legal”, are next. “Here We Go Again” combines an upbeat riff and finely layered guitars to produce a track that is altogether more fitting on a greatest hits album. The same goes for the unpronoucable (especially after a couple of drinks) “a.k.a. I-D-I-O-T”. Quite how so many syllables have been crammed into one chorus line still mystifies me – singing along with this one really tests the limits of tongue articulation. It’s around this point in the CD that you start to think maybe things are on the up, and you’re right… until the first drum beats of “Automatic Schmuck” signal the start of another Hives’ nosedive. The track, along with “Hail Hail Spit n’Drool” could be written and performed by any other two-bit band on the planet, there’s nothing special on either, and again, you find yourself skipping them after an initial listen. Last, and almost certainly least, is the criminally (get it?) bad instrumental “The Hives Are Law, You Are Crime”. Two and a half minutes of crap guitars and tedious drumming do not a fitting finale make.
So is it worth listening to? Yes. And no. When the Hives‘ are good, they’re excellent. When they’re bad, they’re average. You’ll find yourself skipping a lot of these tracks simply to get to the 4 or 5 ones worth listening to. Is it a good buy? Yes. And no. It’s not worth it for any previous Hives fan, ‘cos there’s absolutely nothing new to justify the expense. Unless you want to say you’ve got all their releases. Which some sad people are bound to do. For those ignorant of the Hives, you’ll find some truely good songs spaced out with some pretty crappy average-ness.
Dan