The Hives – Well, Well, Well.

When Einstein announced that nothing could move faster than the speed of light he had obviously neglected to take account of the tempo of Hives songs.

I often yearn for a return to the days before ADHD was invented. If little Pelle Almqvist had spent his formative years in modern day USA he’d have been strapped to a gurney and force fed Ritalin until he started churning out Dido records. Luckily for all involved, early 90’s Sweden allowed the young man free reign to front a band and take over the world armed only with loud guitars and suits stolen from raffish Italian waiters.

The Hives were allegedly formed in 1993 by the shadowy svengali Randy Fitzsimmons. However, it later transpired that ‘Fitzsimmons was a pseudonym for the band’s guitarist Nicholaus Arson. After their 1995 EP Oh Lord! When? How? brought them to the attention of Burning Heart Records, they released their debut album Barely Legal in 1997 which launched them to international obscurity.

Although the band would not receive wide acclaim until they cleaned up their sound, it’s enjoyable to hear them thrashing through 14 clattering songs in the space of 27 and a half minutes. This track in particular has all the subtlety and panache of a JML Rotary Tool Kit being repeatedly hurled against the side of the Eiffel Tower.

The Hives – Well, Well, Well

Buy Barely Legal

I don’t know if this happens to you but occasionally the mp3 pixies visit my house, boot up the computer and start downloading random songs. I have never actually seen these RIAA baiting sprites but it’s the only rational explanation for the number of tracks I’ve acquired without the slightest knowledge of where they came from. Such is the case with this surprisingly faithful ACDC cover by The Hives. I couldn’t confirm when this was recorded but the tag says 1997 so that’s good enough for me.

The Hives – Back In Black