The Hellacopters: By the Grace of God [Bonus Tracks] : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone

Album Reviews

Sweden's Hellacopters just might be the freshest-sounding "geetar" band around these days, with a hooky, nouveau-retro sound that hits you right between the ears. Always energetic -- without the speed-freak hyperactivity of the Hives - the Hellacopters recall the louder sounds of the Sixties, Seventies and, well, our current decade. The title track bridges the whole chronological divide with its blend of Swingin' London twinkle and twang, and new-millennium grit. "All New Low" churns a little harder while "Better Than You" brings to mind prime-time Stooges and is undeniably American in its pedigree. Other highlights include the cozier, piano-laden "Rainy Days Revisited," which harks back to the West Coast sound, the arena-pop of "Go Easy Now" and the full-throttle rocker "Red Light." The Hellacopters refuse to pick a card, preferring instead to shuffle the whole deck and see what comes up.