Search - Hives :: Tyrannosaurus Hives

The Best thing since...their last album!

Aaron Cherney | Washington, United States | 07/20/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Finally a follow-up to one of my favorite albums in recent years! If you listened to the second Hives album, 'Veni Vidi Vicious', a whole lot and are still listening to it every now and then today you will most likely love this album. The Hives have always felt to me like a very punked up version of the Stones, and while nothing they do is ENTIRELY original they don't feel like a rip-off; their influences are prominent, but their sound is more of a sum than it's parts. With 'Tyrannosaurus' they have perfected that sound.



The biggest difference on this album is the inclusion of some synth riffs here and there and the overall sound of the album is much tighter and claustorphobic. The flow of the album is similar to Veni Vidi in that you get several fast paced songs, then one ballad (in this case it's "Diabolic Scheme") then a few more upbeat songs to round out the album. The playtime isn't entirely long but it takes them 30 minutes to accomplish what other bands take HOURS and ALBUMS to not accomplish.



After listening to this at work all day and two times at home since I got off work, I am thoroughly pleased. Highlights for me include, "B Is For Brutus", "Love In Plaster", "A Little More For Little You", and the recently released single, "Walk Idiot Walk" (which if you haven't seen the video for, you should treat yourself to it; it's incredible!) If you are a fan of the Hives or just a fan of fast, excellent garage/punk rock in general, chances are you'll enjoy this."

Solid 3rd Release

Get Smart | West Coast | 07/22/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Hives' newest record is a solid followup to "Veni Vedi Vicious", pretty much taking up where that one left off. The songwriting is similar with simple, catchy guitar riffs and Pelle's trademark screaming without screeching vocals. I've heard a lot of comparisons to Devo on the new record but I don't think that is too evident, although it's there if you really try to hear it (a few songs have synth behind the guitars giving it a early 80s retro feel). This record has some good 60s influences that also have a 1979 mod revival-esque sound to it. This is especially clear in track 2 where I thought they were going to bust into "Steppin' Stone". For me The Hives have always had a heavy SONICS influence and that style of songwriting is super clear on this great 3rd record. If you like The Hives, check out 1965 garage band THE SONICS (Here are the Sonics & Sonics Boom) or even mod revival band LONG TALL SHORTY. I don't think The Hives are anything like the bands they are lumped with, such as White Stripes and The Strokes. The Hives have more of a punk sensibility and their garage influences seem more authentic. This is simple music that is stunningly complex."

Back in style

A. McCarthy | 07/22/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Hives, probably the band with the highest self esteem in the world (the frontman was qoted as saying "We love you but you love us more!", return for a fourth outing with a bang. Their three previous albums, "Barely Legal", a collection of poorly produced, sometimes painfully recorded songs that showed that the energy was certainly there. Their breakout album, "Veni Vidi Vicious" overflowed with engergy and put it in a better produced, more accessable package, naturally this was a huge hit. THen came the almost-an-EP "Your New Favorite Band" with had several cuts from Veni Vidi Vicious and not much interesting. Now comes "Tyrannysaurus Hives", upon a first listen you realize these guys are on some ungodly form of speed. This there is electricity flowing through every inch of this record, they even seem to find distortions that make you feel like if you touched your stereo, sparks would fly. Just listen to the first fifteen seconds of "B is for Brutus", this distortion is something I've never heard before, its so energetic without being painful the only comparibly "heavy distortion" guitar production ive heard is the Smashing Pumpkins "Saimese Dream". However in terms of the energy in the guitars, they are on opposite ends of the spectrum, on "Saimese Dream" is comes at you as a wall of smooth, almost beautiful, distortion; in "Tyrannosaurus Hives" the guitar is fast, choppy, agitated, and confident.



Track by track...here be go:



Abra Cadaver- this seem like its probably something written back aroudn the barely legal era, it has the same feel to it. Alquvest certainly knows how to constrcut lyrics that sound cool, even if you can't understand what he's saying.



Two Timing Touch And Broken Bones - Probably the coolest, tightest punk song ever written. The rythym in this song is pretty incredible, the only misstep is a slightly clunky chorus.



Walk Idiot Walk - Guitar sound like "Sticky Fingers" era stones. Vocals sound like like a very angry Sgt. Pepper. Clapping always makes everyone happy.



No Pun Intended - A straightforward punk song, nothing too interesting.



A Little More For You - Another song with with cool rhythym guitar work. This one has a more skaish feel towards the beginning, then turns into something more similar to AC/DC for its chorus. It works quite well, it has a nice building effect that you don't get much because Hives songs are so short usually.



B is for Brutus - this is my personal favorite. The distortion sounds like electricity. The riff is killer. The lyrics are defiant and in your face, just what a good Hives snobby punk rock song should be.



See Through Head - This is like a much better version of No Pun Intended. More stylized, has something to remember it by. A neat song.



Diabolic Scheme - You gotta give them credit for this song. Nothing in the song really works that well when you deconstruct it, but they do it with such conviction and it reminds you for a minute of why the Rolling Stones were so cool, you can't help but appreciate it for that.



Missing Link - Another rhythmic one, this time at twice the speed. Double as impressive as Two Timing, but not as original.



Love In Plaster - this one doesnt really tickle my fancy, but still adds synth to the list of experiments. Reminds one of Baba O'Riely, but it goes away just in time for you to realize that thats probably a bad thing.



Dead Quote Olympics - um, this songs great, but I really don't know why. It shouldn't be. It's just fun.



Antidote - The most straightforward rock song here. ONe guitar becomes two, add drums, then bass. Insert a cool riff, and lyrics that could be about naughty things. A nice closer, personanlly it doesn't quite wrap up the album the way "Supply and Demand" did for Veni Vidi Vicious, but hey, whatever.



A fantastic group of songs, clocking in at just over 30 minutes, you'd swear it was an hour and a half. Especially if you listen to it loud.

"