Universal US Vinyl & CDs

Review: First dropped in 2007, The Black & White Album was well-received at the time, and for good reason. Yes, in many ways it's The Hives doing what they do best - high energy, adrenaline garage rock music you can't help but feel driven by. From another perspective, though, there's much experimentation going on, which becomes more apparent the more you dive into things. 'Puppet On A String', for example, uses nothing but a handclap and piano, stark minimalism compared to the stereotype of the band in question. Another, 'A Stroll Through Hive Manor Corridors', is this weird, atmospheric 1960s organ refrain that brings more than an air of sepia and surrealism to proceedings. Meanwhile, 'Well All Right!' and 'T.H.E.H.I.V.E.S.' introduce The Neptunes on production and the full cheerleading squad from the University of Mississippi.

Review: Does synth-pop get any more essential than this? When The Human League delivered their third album Dare in 1981, they instantly evolved from minimal wave outsiders to chart-topping pop treasures, and with the hits on here is it any surprise? From the epic, aspirational opener 'The Things That Dreams Are Made Of' through dark dancefloor monster 'The Sound Of The Crowd' through to their biggest hit, 'Don't You Want Me' casually tucked in at the back of the running order, it's a wall-to-wall classic which should be nestled into every record collection? If you don't own it already, now's your chance - and on translucent blue vinyl no less.