I unenthusiastically put on the new Hives album, The Black and White Album, expecting to hear more of the same. I was delightfully wrong. This surprisingly diverse comeback breaks away from the raw pop-punk feel they developed with Veni Vidi Vicious (and drove into the ground with their next three albums). Singer Pelle Almqvist's trademark howl is often absent here, replaced by something that sounds strangely like singing. Even the band's traditionally simple, repetitive riffs are replaced by more complex guitar parts, as well as new instruments such as chimes, piano and drum machines. The result is a near-perfect pop album with all the hooks but none of the guilt. Lyrically, The Black and White Album doesn't stray far from the usual Hives vocabulary. A band that has fun with its craft, they continue to explore fairly empty, but nonetheless entertaining themes. The words, however, perfectly complement this record, which begs its listeners to just enjoy the music. Their fun, upbeat and surprisingly intricate songs - such as "You Got It All. Wrong" - showcase The Hives' ability to create great music without taking themselves too seriously.

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