Love it or hate it, the “Garage” rock explosion of 2001 did change the face of mainstream music. Of the four leaders of this movement (the Strokes, White Stripes, the Hives and the Vines), Sweden’s the Hives seem to be making the most interesting music. This holds true with their latest album, The Black and White Album.

The Hives definitely have a specific sound: pompous, punk-infused rock and roll. Luckily, this style doesn’t limit them too much at all. Even dance numbers like the Pharrell-produced “T.H.E.H.I.V.E.S. [more]