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Hard-Fi - Stars of CCTV (2005)
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This must be in the running for album of the decade. I just love their brand of urban indie rock, which very often reminds me of the Clash. There is a hard edge to the music and the lyrics are extremely perceptive. Few bands have been able to so easily evoke an image of the environment and era from which they originate. Richard Archer has a very distinctive singing style. Once you 'get it' you will be hooked. This is a MUST HAVE album in anyones collection. It is stacked out with great songs - personal favourites "Tied up too Tight" (which they still open live shows with) and "Hard to Beat" (of course). If you haven't got a copy - get one. Then go see them play live.
Hard-Fi's debut album Stars of CCTV is a stunning album. It is one of those albums that can be listened to over and over again and you will never get bored of it. The catchy guitar riffs, groovy and funky drum beats and the awesome lyrics make this album ideal to listen to anywhere - be it in the car, at home chilling out or doing work. As well as the well known Hard-Fi songs such as Cash machine and Hard to Beat and Living for the Weekend, all of the other songs are equally classy. Songs such as Middle Eastern Holiday, Tied up too Tight and Better do better are not so well known but have all of the elements that Hard-Fi rely upon for their success. The order of songs on the album is also good, getting the right mix of songs in throughout the album. There is the correct balance of the upbeat songs, but mixed in with slower and more poignant songs such as Move on Now. Hard-Fi's lyrics are very smart and clever, and being a student and teenager I can relate to them very well. They are written about their own (the band's) experiences in their life, which is very original and unlike most other albums. They make you appreciate life and encourage you to enjoy the good times, and help to get you through the bad times. I have also seen Hard-Fi live and they were awesome. They are a very caring band that are thankful to their supporters and understand that they are the people who have got them to where they are today. It was lovely to see them being so appreciative to their fans. The album contains 11 songs and here is a quick review of each song on the album. Cash machine - Quality tune, superb lyrics and beat. 9/10 Middle Eastern Holiday - Nice upbeat tempo with a superb bass riff. Gtes me dancing around all the time 8/10 Tied Up too Tight - Awesome song. Really really good. Nice changes in tempo throughout the song with a very catchy chorus that you can easily sing along to 9/10 Gotta Reason - Something different on the albu, but again very good. Nice to see a good mix of song style. Heavier drums that most. 8/10 Hard to beat - Superb song with some of the best lyrcis around. Its a song that everybody should know the lyrics too so they can sing along 10/10 Unecessary Trouble - Similar to Gotta Reason because its slightly different. Very unique but still has great guitars and drum beats. Move on Now - lovely poignant slow song. Very underated, and its good that its long to break the album up. Glad to see a wide variety of songs on the album 8/10 Better do Better - Class break-up song. Very emotional and easy to relate to. Superb lyrics again that make you want to sing along 9/10 Feltham is Singing out - Song about their experiences of a local place called Feltham. Again, stunning lyrics and a good chorus. 8/10 Living for the Weekend - My favourite song on the album. It's just pure class. Teriffic guitar and beat, and makes you want to go out and party. 10/10 Stars of CCTV - I don't normally like slow songs to end an album, but for me this song works. It's not very slow, but slower than the other songs. Again, brilliant guitar and chord changes with good lyrics. 8/10 Overall, Stars of CCTV is an awesome album. It is a great Indie / Rock album and if you like bands such as The Kooks, Bloc Party, The Killers, Kasabian and Razorlight, then I strongly reccomend that you buy this album (if you already haven't done so). I cannot wait until the next album is released! 9/10 - a gold star!Read full review
The debut album from Middlesex’s Hard-Fi consciously sets out to update the sense of frustrated tension and suburban dread that powered second-wave ska acts like The Specials and The Beat back at the close of the ‘70s. Don’t get it twisted, this isn’t ska-punk a la Brit troupers [Spunge] and Capdown: Hard-Fi play this music lean and moody, like The Streets on downers, or Massive Attack plugging in and tuning up. "Cash Machine" sees a swallowed debit card as the jump-off for vocalist Richard Archer to spin a tale of crushing poverty and unwanted pregnancy, spurred along by thrumming dub bass and the sad wheeze of a vibraphone. They do upbeat as well, as club anthem "Hard To Beat"--a heart-fluttering composite of Northern Soul elation and fist-pumping Rockers reggae--joyfully confirms. But it’s the emotional struggle, the ups and downs of life, that keeps Stars Of CCTV engaging throughout: see penultimate track "Living For The Weekend", a hedonistic blast filled with not a little of the passion that fuelled Oasis' Definitely Maybe, which succeeds chiefly because it’s all too aware of the bad times as well as the good. Stars Of CCTV is the debut album from Surrey-based Indie rockers Hard-Fi. Fusing together a host of influences, including Happy Mondays-esque baggy, sun kissed Ibizan grooves and even classic two-tone ska, Hard-Fi have crafted an album that buzzes with raw energy and enthusiasm, celebrating the best of British pop culture. Includes the singles 'Cash Machine', 'Tied Up Too Tight' and 'Hard To Beat'. Warner. 2005.Read full review
Richard Archer (the lead singer and songwriter) has a great way with a lyric, in the same way as Mike Skinner of 'The Streets'. They both produce beautifully pared-down short stories but lose nothing of the emotion and drama of their subject. But do they have the tunes to match? Oh yes, by the bucketload! They can also keep the momentum over a whole album unlike other recent debuts - 'The Bravery' spring to mind. Hard-Fi - Stars of CCTV definitely gets my vote for Album of the Year. This is a gem of a debut.
I bought stars of cctv after hearing one song from a tv ad, and what a great decision that was. The songs are excellent , and I love the lyrics as they sum up normal life down to a tee. If you like alternative rock then buy this album, you'll be pleasantly surprised.
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