The Hives – The Death of Randy Fitzsimmons

The Hives– The Death Of Randy Fitzsimmons

By Syd Corpora

 

The Hives’ new record, “The Death Of Randy Fitzsimmons,” released August eleventh of this year is the perfect spooky jolt of electricity for Halloween. The band’s sixth studio record, with a runtime of 31 minutes and 32 seconds, is full of fast paced and high energy songs. If you’re looking for something to get you pumped up– this is the record for you. The Hives delivered on producing new fresh music while maintaining their signature sound. While The Hives have continued touring frequently over the past ten years, this record is their first release of new music since eleven years ago when they released their record “Lex Hives” in 2012.

The lead single and the first track on the record “Bogus Operandi” kicks off the album with a bang. The long dramatic intro to the song kicks straight into heavy guitar riffs and a classic hard rock beat. From the instrumentals to the moody lyrics, the song blasts you into the attitude of this record. The song’s delivery is sold by lead singer “Howlin’” Pelle Almqvist who certainly earns his name in his performance. The song is lively and not easily forgettable.

Another track that stood out to me is “Rigor Mortis Radio.” This song is more bubbly– the beat is reminiscent of early sixties pop akin to early Beatles songs. There is a nearly non-stop backing track clapping along with the beat of the song that makes it feel like it could fit perfectly in a cheesy highschool movie, but, as the name suggests, this song’s contents are not all blue skies and sunshine. The song’s vibe and tempo are beautifully contrasted with its darker lyrics and heavier guitars. The song is a delightful amalgam of feeling that makes it one of the catchiest tracks from the album.

Another notable track is “The Bomb.” It sounds exactly like you would expect it to sound– packed full of explosiveness. Towards the end of the record this song punches you in the face and reinvigorates you. The lyrics are clever, playing with double negatives and double meanings so it takes a couple listens of the relatively short song to fully grasp every detail. The track is jam packed with energy.

Despite how energetic this record is, it never wore me out. I never grew tired of the music and thoroughly enjoyed the album in its entirety; the songs are placed in an order that keeps you hooked. The combination of upbeat tempo and darker lyrical themes are married masterfully in this record. Every Track is notable and unique in its own way. So many influences can be found in this record and the band did an amazing job integrating them and making the record cohesive. Overall, this was an amazing comeback for the band.

Favorite Tracks: Bogus Operandi, Rigor Mortis Radio  Rating: 9.8/10