Tarred and Feathered cover

Tarred and Feathered

The Hives · 2010

8 min · 3 tracks · garage rock

A raucous blend of high-energy garage rock infused with sharp lyrical commentary and relentless rhythms.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Civilization’s Dying — This opening track sets the tone with a frenetic pace and biting lyrics that critique societal norms, embodying the band’s signature style.
  • →
    Early Morning Wake Up Call — A standout for its catchy hook, this song showcases The Hives' knack for blending humor with energetic instrumentation, making it memorable.
  • →
    Nasty Secretary — With its punchy riffs and satirical lyrics about office politics, this track encapsulates the band's playful yet incisive take on everyday life.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

63 /100
Treeline
Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

The EP showcases strong songwriting and energetic performances, solidifying The Hives' place in garage rock.

What we noticed

  • The EP opens with a driving beat and aggressive guitar riffs that set a high-energy tone immediately.
  • Each track features a consistent tempo, maintaining an upbeat pace throughout its short runtime.
  • Lyrical themes are delivered with a sharp, satirical edge, often reflecting on societal issues in a punchy manner.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
8/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Deep Cut — Solid entry in the catalog that showcases their signature sound but isn't widely recognized.
Career context
By the time 'Tarred and Feathered' was released in July 2010, The Hives had already established themselves as a prominent force in the garage rock revival. This EP followed their critically acclaimed album 'The Black and White Album' (2007) and marked a return to their rawer sound after exploring a more polished approach. The release kept their momentum going as they continued to solidify their reputation in the rock scene.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Civilization’s Dying 2:01
  • 2 Early Morning Wake Up Call 4:04
  • 3 Nasty Secretary 2:04

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata