The Black And White Album
by The Hives
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 27 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 27
  3. Negative: 0 out of 27
  1. Blender
    60
    Most of the album, like the single 'Tick Tock Boom,' sticks to formula. [Nov 2007, p.150]
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  2. Dot Music
    60
    The Black And White Album feels less like a fresh start than the end of something.
  3. Mojo
    60
    The rethink has paid dividends. [Nov 2007, p.90]
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  5. musicOMH.com
    60
    It's enjoyable, fast-paced and delivered with an undeniable amount of skill. But it isn't memorable enough.
  6. Sputnikmusic
    60
    Once The Black And White Album settles in, and you've figured out which songs to skip, it's as enjoyable as any of their previous albums.
  7. Q Magazine
    60
    The Black And White album plays their usual garage-rock game with no desire beyond loking hot and sounding cool. [Nov 2007, p.138]
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  8. Prefix Magazine
    60
    So are The Hives stuck in a stylistic corner, or is The Black and White Album just a rocky bridge to something new and revelatory from the group? The material seems to drop hints in both directions.
  9. Boston Globe
    60
    Not exactly different enough to make this the Hives's "White Album," but for once, things aren't literally so black and white.
  10. NOW Magazine
    40
    The increased repetition of blurted nonsense phrases and the further dumbing down of their very basic progressions should serve to rid them of numerous long-time fans who hoped the Hives could save rock 'n' roll.
  11. Uncut
    40
    Here they often come across as Hard-Fi playing the songs of The New York Dolls--infinitely more irritating. [Nov 2007, p.104]
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User Reviews

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User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 34 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 34
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 34
  3. Negative: 5 out of 34
  1. SilverMan
    Jun 12, 2012
    6
    Yeah, The Hives are not punk anymore...Their last albums have more fast, aggressive and catchy songs. It doesn't mean that TBAWA is slower andYeah, The Hives are not punk anymore...Their last albums have more fast, aggressive and catchy songs. It doesn't mean that TBAWA is slower and boring. "Tick Tick Boom" and "Hey Little World are great rock songs, but if you listen to songs like "Giddy Up! or "Puppet On A String", you'll rapidly think: This is no rock! It's a weak album, but The Hives still got one of the best live perfomances on Earth.… Full Review »
  2. JohnB.
    Dec 17, 2007
    9
    Great step forward for a band that should be topping charts in the US.
  3. Jonatan
    Dec 14, 2007
    10
    The best rock album of the year. Excellent songs, like You Got It All Wrong, Hey Little World and Bigger Hole to Fill.
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