Tyrannosaurus Hives
Tyrannosaurus Hives shows how much care sits behind the Hives' apparent wildness. The guitars fit tightly together, the drums keep the speed under control, and Pelle Almqvist has a firm base to scream over. Everything feels direct, but little sounds accidental. The more polished production also leaves room for small changes to make themselves heard.
"Abra Cadaver" and "Two-Timing Touch and Broken Bones" are short bursts that waste very little. "Walk Idiot Walk" uses the energy differently. The toms keep the rhythm moving while the singing closely follows the clipped guitar chords. It allows tension to build for longer without losing momentum. That control makes it just as appealing as the faster passages.
The biggest surprise is "Diabolic Scheme". Strings and dramatic singing give its blues waltz a different colour from the band's usual garage rock. It remains forceful enough to fit the same record. "Love In Plaster" also tries another approach, with a steady, almost mechanical beat and winding keyboard sounds. These additions change how the songs move. They never become isolated detours that depend entirely on surprise.
Familiar riffs and singing still do most of the work. Anyone seeking a radical change will find a careful improvement of the songs instead. The hooks arrive quickly, while the playing offers enough detail to sustain interest. Across roughly half an hour, the Hives make room for their immediate appeal and a stronger sense of variety. Tyrannosaurus Hives gets its strength from that combination. It is carefully arranged enough to offer more than volume, and simple enough to work straight away.
