Swedish rockers The Hives released their new CD, “The Black and White Album” Tuesday, which is their fifth album to hit the United States.

To put it simply, this album rocks. Almost every song is a fast paced, rock-your-socks-off punch in the face. But it’s a good kind of punch in the face. The kind that makes you go back and ask for more.

All five band members are still together: Howlin’ Pelle Almqvist, Nicholaus Arson, Vigilante Carlstrom, Dr. Matt Destruction and Chris Dangerous. Whether or not those are their real names though, is questionable.

Not much has changed in terms of style. If you’ve listened to their other releases you will find a very similar set of songs. However this is not a bad thing because the formula is not stale yet.

The whole “black and white” theme seems to suggest they have a simple style, and for the most part they do. The Hives don’t have anything but classic rock instruments: two guitars, a bass, a set of drums and a wild vocal from frontman Almqvist. They know how to use all of the pieces well to make the unique and simple riffing sound they have become famous for.

One of the things people will notice on the new album is that they have made all of their songs a lot longer. Instead of being one or two minutes long, most of the tracks are now three minutes or more. This is a nice improvement because a lot of their songs deserve one more chorus than the older songs used to get.

On this album, The Hives got to work with Pharrell Williams. Williams is well known for his hip-hop roots and was able to help evolve The Hives’ sound just enough to make it grow from the other albums, and yet retain the raw garage rock of previous efforts.

The Hives also worked with Jacknife Lee who has produced for U2 and R.E.M. His influence is added to the tracks “Hey Little World” and “Tick Tick Boom.”

Another producer The Hives collaborated with was Dennis Herring, who has previously worked with Elvis Costello and Buddy Guy.

These big-name producers certainly indicate that The Hives have gained quite a bit of clout and have grown immensely as a band.

So, which songs are worth downloading? I would have to say all of them, but for those who do not fully embrace the wild sound of The Hives, there are some songs that rise above the rest.

For starters, the opening track, “Tick Tick Boom” is a must. It is the first hit off of the CD and displays the entire trademark sound of the Hives, like roaring guitar riffs and the screeching vocals of Almqvist.

You will also want to get “Try It Again” and the funky “Well All Right!” The oddest track on this album is definitely “A Stroll Through Hive Manor Corridors.” It is purely instrumental and is just a weird rolling creepy tune that belongs in a Michel Gondry film. Perhaps they threw it in there as a break from the bopping adrenaline-fueled fervor of the rest of the CD.

Other tracks worth checking out include “Won’t Be Long” and “T.H.E.H.I.V.E.S.” – the latter being a slower song that is a very interesting departure from the majority of the fast-paced songs.

If you are a fan of rock, especially the kind that strives simply to rock you and not preach or throw you off, this is an album for you. You get rolling guitar riffs, solid baselines, and the wailing vocals of Howlin’ Pelle Almqvist. Try saying that five times fast.

Luke Soin can be reached at [email protected]