Song of the Week

The Hives ... a rough-sounding band, certainly leverages early Stones influences but increases the intensity to 11 (Spinal Tap reference). Unfortunately, they haven't hit the big time in the States, thanks to radio stations kow-towing to the overplayed Emo sound.

The band itself uses guitar riffs heavily, along with a strong-sounding baseline, and a drum-beat that Charlie Watts would probably swear was swiped from him. The lead singer shouts but doesn't scream (another EMO-like turnoff for me). Their songs would probably make great entrance songs for professional wrestlers (but, I digress).

Their Black and White album of 2007 hardly made a blip on US radio, but man does this album rock! "Hey Little World" fuzes the classic Stones sound with the edgy Afghan Whigs fervor.

As an aside, I was shocked to hear this band has been together in one way or another since 1989 (thanks Wikipedia!) and are from Sweden. Give 'em a shot