THE HIVES

The Death Of Randy Fitzsimmons (Fuga)

A decade after their last release, The Hives return with The Death Of Randy Fitzsimmons – a death-defying collection of punk rock hits strong enough to bring a pulse back to any comatosed career. Inspired by the supposed death of their mentor and mythical songwriter, The Death Of Randy Fitzsimmons is all quickfire killer, with no song coming in over 3:44.

There’s no reinvention here, no reincarnation of the Bogus Operandi the Swedish garage rock band have had in place for the last 30 years or since their British breakthrough best-of from 2001, Your New Favourite Band. Legend has it The Hives dug up Randy’s grave, and in place of a body found a collection of demo recordings – songs like the handclapping Rigor Mortis Radio, wild-west swaggering Stick Up and adolescently insolent Crash Into The Weekend. Mercifully, The Hives haven’t spent their downtime decade maturing: instead, they perfected their embryonic formula and brought a band back to life.

words JOHN-PAUL DAVIES