The Hives Go Right Ahead... And Steal Riffs (Updated)

Swedish garage rockers The Hives haven't released a new album in five years, a silence they intend to break on June 5 with the release of Lex Hives. As is customary when announcing a new album, we've got a taste of what's to come in the form of Go Right Ahead, which is streaming here.

Upon thirty seconds of precursory exploration, I was a little shocked and disgusted at just how blatantly the band have taken to lifting classic riffs. It used to be sort of endearing hearing them twist and manipulate the Kinks' All Day and All of the Night's main riff until it gave birth to three or four Hives songs. But, when you pretty much directly cherry pick the riff from E.L.O.'s Don't Bring Me Down and stamp your name on it, especially five years removed from your last original material, it kind of makes me wonder. As in, should these guys even be a band anymore? How long before their shtick stops evoking nostalgia and starts evoking lawsuits? Your move, Jeff Lynne.

UPDATE (May 12): According to a recent interview, Hives mainman Pelle Almqvist admitted that (unintentionally) the track sounded a hell of a lot like Don't Bring Me Down, and that Jeff Lynne was given partial songwriting credit to avoid any potential legal ugliness. I love a happy ending.

Also, they've released the video for Go Right Ahead which, I'll admit, is pretty cool. So, naturally, I'll share it with you:

Lex Hives is still out June 5.

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