Dave Chamberlain

Though this all-girl Swedish band has been around for nearly a decade, the States only caught on two years ago when the Sahara Hotnights released its five-star "Jennie Bomb." The majors noticed, too; the band's forthcoming "Kiss and Tell" gets an RCA release. Though the record doesn't have the uptempo high points of "Jennie Bomb," "Kiss and Tell" proves the Hotnights able to spread their strengths out over the length of a full-length a bit better. Borrowing more from Blondie, Joan Jett and The Donnas than the Ramones this time around, the Swedes drop fewer out-and-out fuzzbombs than they do medium-tempo pop efforts with stronger but slower hooks, synthesizers and very little three-chord antics. The results depend on how much you liked "Jennie Bomb." Throughout the record, the band can write a catchy little tune--"Stay/Stay Away," with a major-key synth line and snappy bass hum will get fans of eighties New Wave all fired up, but likely leave their past fans wondering what the hell happened. But even "Jennie Bomb" didn't hold up on CD very well. It was the Hotnights crackling on-stage electricity that made those songs really fly. We'll assume the same here. As for The Hives, they became a bit of a known identity almost overnight, though to me they're a bit of an enigma. They can absolutely bring it in terms of staccato blasts and distorted noise, ala their early Gearhead material and the occasional track of "Veni Vedi Vicious." Then they can put out a record like their latest, "Tyrannosaurus Hives," that's got nothing. Either way, they're exciting enough on stage to make their lamer tracks go a long way.

The Hives and Sahara Hotnights play July 26 at the Metro, 3730 North Clark, (773)549-0203.

(2004-07-20)

Also by Dave Chamberlain

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