My oh my, would you believe it's been 5 years since this Swedish Melodic Garage Rock act released its previous album The Black And White Album, and having reviewed that myself, it's with confidence that I gladly refer you that bit of epic writing, posted Dec. 1st, 2007, for a detailed history up an until that moment, should you feel inclined to check that out.
That album sure was a golden egg for the band, as music from the tracks “Tick Tick Tock” and “Return the Favour” were featured in commercials (for Finish Line and Nike respectively – actually, the first was also used in advertisements for the 2007 season of the NFL Network, commercials for two US TV series and in the soundtrack of the movies Jumper, McGruber, and Get Smart; it was also the official theme song for the 2007 WWE Survivor Series). Following their 2-month tour of North-America, The Hives toured extensively throughout Europe in late 2007 and early 2008 (during early Summer, they even played at Belgium's own Rock Werchter, where they caused somewhat of a revolt among security people, when the band refused to leave the stage as both they and the audience were having too much fun. They ended up playing an extra 15 minutes, before security finally chased 'em of the stage). Later in the year, it was announced that the band was taking time out to start working on material for a new album, which they started recording as far back as early 2010, using (besides their home studio Hive Manor) 4 studios in Stockholm, one in Göteburg, one in Berlin (Germany) and one in Burbank (California). In October 2008, it was revealed that the band had recorded a Christmas duet with Cindy Lauper, entitled “A Christmas Duel” and released as a download on the band's website (in fact, for a while the song played automatically whenever you visited it) during November. That same month, Swedish rapper Petter announced in an interview that The Hives were collaborating on a new version of his song “Rega Skivan”, for his upcoming album.
Surprisingly, having recorded their two previous albums for the Universal Music Group's Interscope label, the band did not feel like continuing their deal, and finding themselves free agents, completely self-funded and self-produced the recordings, eventually issuing it on their own label Disque Hives. But hey, let's turn the clock back a while, to July 2010, when the band released the EP Tarred And Feathered through the German No Fun AB label. Featuring covers of Zero Boys' “Civilization Dying”, Joy Rider And Avis Davis' “Nasty Secretary” and Flash And The Pan's “Early Morning Wake Up”, the EP was again a success (besides being a tie-over for the fans) when their version of “Nasty Secretary” was used in the soundtrack of the US release of the game Gran Turismo 5. Although the band was recording, they still attended several festivals during 2010 and 2011 (including one in Australia, and in 2011, again Rock Werchter), where they “previewed” some of their new songs to public acclaim.
If indeed it took some time for the band to release a new album, it has to be said that that the 12 tracks are indeed infectiously tuneful and catchy, singalongs each and every one of 'em! And for the first time in their history the band credited somebody else than their imaginary 6th bandmember (the elusive Randy Fitzsimmons) for a contribution in songwriting. It's a joke, really, as for the basic riff of second song “Go Right Ahead”, the band used a riff of Electric Light Orchestra's “Don't Bring Me Down”...hence a co-author credit. The song also became the album's first single on April 3, with the music video revealed on May 9, 2012. Since then, “Wait A Minute” was released as the album's second single. The regular album was mixed by the Grammy Award winning Andrew Scheps (known from his work with Adele and Red Hot Chilli Peppers), with two additional songs mixed by D. Sardy (of Marilyn Manson and Slayer fame) and Joe Zook (of Modest Mouse and Weezer repute). And there's apparently a deluxe version of the album which features bonus tracks (as digital download only) produced by Josh Homme (frontman of Queens Of The Stone Age and ex-Kyuss). (pertinent info above culled from the band's page at Wikipedia, re-written by yours truly)
As for my personal evaluation of the album, I have to say that àll The Hives albums come over as a real good time to be had. Although not absolute must-haves, each album by this band is a guaranteed couple of hours (one is inclined to play each one of 'em a couple of times in a row, see?!) of pure entertainment pleasure...and I am therefore glad to call some of the band's albums my own!