The Hives

Don’t quote me, but I think this album’s title is Latin for "I came, I saw, I spiked up, I stabbed my girlfriend." Originally issued in 2000 but sidetracked before its stateside release by one of the music industry’s more convoluted distribution arrangements (notice how many labels it’s on), this is the second full-length effort from Sweden’s finest garage-punk band. Describing The Hives’ sound is a bit more difficult than you might think; imagine a cross between The Who, Bad Brains, MC5 and the Sex Pistols. If you think that sounds like fun, you’re right. The guitars are messy and riotous, the vocals are generally tuneless and unintelligible (which is a definite plus—do yourself a favor and avoid the lyric sheet) and the whole thing is guaranteed to motorvate your booty.