No allergic reaction to the Hives

The Hives
Veni, Vidi, Vicious
Sire/Burning Heart/Epitaph Holy Swedish Rock and Roll!! No, no, ladies and gentlemen, this is no ABBA. So don't be confused. Howlin' Pelle Almqvist, Nicholaus Arson, Dr. Matt Destruction, Chris Dangerous and Vigilante Carlstroem have chewed up and swallowed those dancin' queens, all but obliterating the tutty-fruity image of their home country. And they are coming after you next. Recorded overseas in 2000 but just recently released in the States, Veni, Vidi, Vicious presents loud and clear what the band's been perfecting since its inception nearly 10 years ago as teenagers. With a potent mix of Stooges' Raw Power and Nuggets-era '60s garage rock, is a fierce romp and roll through 12 piss- and vinegar-filled songs and 28 ear-pillaging minutes. This is no joke. The guitars are as sharp as arrows shot straight through the heart. The bass and drums are as driving as a lead-filled semi, and the vocals are as amphetamine driven as Iggy with a broken beer bottle. Lyrically, the band proves its cynicism with the best of 'em, but thankfully avoids taking itself too seriously. Try "I got a greeting can't say what it's all about/But my middle finger is gonna carry it out" from "A Get Together to Tear Apart" or "My girl had a probable cause or so she said and took a probably pause/ I was dumped for occupying her time" from "Supply and Demand." But don't laugh or these guys will be outside your door ready to bust your skull. In fact, the only breather you get is in the eighth track, "Find Yourself Another Girl," and if by breather you mean something like '60's Rolling Stones on brown acid. Make no mistake, The Hives are for real. So believe the hype, and watch your back. These guys will be coming to your town, and you'd better be listening.