The Hives "Black and White Album" (A&M/Octone) Sounds Like: Proof that creativity cannot always cure a band's immaturity. Grade: B
Swedish garage rockers The Hives are the epitome of a band that one wishes to like more than one actually does, and their latest effort, "Black and White Album," serves as evidence. The ever-increasingly animated quintet is tantamount to a horde of rowdy Jack Russell terriers. They are cute and all with their matching schoolboy uniforms, but as Jack Russell terriers periodically urinate in the places they should not, The Hives' unruly character often renders their work irritating.
Although their boisterous antics might be endearing on such tracks as the cowbell enhanced "Square One Here I Come" and the bouncy, clap-happy "You Dress Up for Armageddon," by and large, The Hives have a lot of maturing to do. "Black and White Album" marks both their fourth major release and their most creative effort thus far. The Hives said they recorded 20 to 30 tracks and chose their favorites for the final cut. Half of the album was recorded with producer Pharrell Williams, who has collaborated with Clipse, Jay-Z, Gwen Stefani and Snoop Dogg, and the discrete hip-hop influence helps spruce up otherwise trite tracks throughout "Black and White Album."
The album's best track, "Tick Tick Boom," denotes The Hives' most successful juggling of exuberance and stability. The music team behind Madden NFL 2008 agreed and included it on the game's soundtrack. "Black and White Album" is indeed The Hives' most accessible work to date, and while some tracks display the band's potential, others convolute the album, leaving listeners with a truly mixed bag. The Hives may have some growing up to do, yet once they finally get around to it, the results should be worthwhile. -DONNY T. SHELDON
WVAU PICK OF THE WEEK Georgie James "Places" (Saddle Creek) Sounds Like: A D.C. duo en route to indie pop stardom.
A little more than a year after dropping their seven-song EP, "Demos At Dance Place," Georgie James have come a long way. Moving from keyboardist and vocalist Laura Burhenn's Laboratory Records to Saddle Creek, the duo just finished a stint with their touring band on Friday. Their latest release, "Places," shows an emotional depth only hinted at on their EP.
Multi-instrumentalist John Davis, freed from his drumming duties in Q and Not U, showcases his pop sensibilities with partner-in-harmony Burhenn. They draw heavy influences from the '70s, crafting the bouncy harmonies heard on "Need Your Needs" and "Cake Parade."
The take-away singles from "Places" are recycled from the EP, but the songs have been reinvented on the new record. Six previously unreleased songs will keep dedicated fans interested, with standout tracks including the dreamy, drum-heavy "Comfortable Headphones."
With a looming European tour in December, it's clear that Georgie James is going places. Hopefully D.C. fans will be able to share. -JEFF LAMBERT
