Customer Reviews

Stars of Cctv

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Alright, when I first heard Hard-fi on the radio in the u.s. i thought it was another crappy band, but these guys really come though with their new album - Stars of Cctv. I highly suggest picking this one up if you like - The Killers, Oasis and The Bravery among others. It really is a great album featuring the singles - Cash Machine and Tied Up Too Tight which are both great. If you haven't heard of Hard-Fi I suggest you give them a try, it really is worth spending the money for.

This album's shiite hot, a nice blend of dub-heavy bass, jagged guitars, bonham-kick drum and dancey synths (or maybe they're samples), all rolled into a decent pop tune. But check it out and make up your own mind. TISWAS thinks it's rubbish, I reckon it's pretty great, you decide for yourself.... regardless of whether or not you're a 13 year old girlie (last time I checked I wasn't - I was even allowed to tick the box below)

With all the hype surrounding Arctic Monkeys, Editors, and even Hard-Fi, it's become apparent that the UK is swimming in musical talent while suffering from a paucity of A&R scouts. In a story that parallels the tale of Arctic Monkeys, Hard-Fi first released Stars of CCTV in a limited pressing of 500 in October 2004. It wasn't till June of the following year that a genuine label gave the album a proper release, and it's only recently hit stores in the US. Nevertheless, Hard-Fi are the closest thing to the only band that matter from the across the pond. The Clash reference is intentional. The foursome's fondness for reggae dub production and politically charged lyrics has garnered comparisons to the 2-Tone ska-loving Specials, and there is indeed a "Ghost Town" feel to a number of tracks here. But Hard-Fi's real lineage leads straight back to the post-punk Black Market Clash. Singer Richard Archer actually sounds like Mick Jones more often than he does Joe Strummer; still, he has a great guttersnipe delivery, and he's not afraid to use it, whether he's lamenting his financial situation against Kai Stephens's deep, driving Simonon-style bass line and Ross Philips's serrated staccato guitars in "Cash Machine" or putting himself in the shoes of a soldier headed to Iraq amid the brisk combat-rock clamor of "Middle Eastern Holiday." He shyly eyes a lucky club girl as the band funk things up for him in "Gotta Reason" and even croons to spare piano accompaniment in the melancholy "Move On Now" before heading back to rock the casbah in the self-explanatory "Living for the Weekend." It's timely reminder that once upon a time punk wasn't afraid to co-opt instead just being co-opted.

11 excellent tracks is what you get from a great debut album. Hard Fi are wonderful. The lead off track Cash Machine , Tied Up Too Tight, Hard To Beat, and Better Do Better are top of the charts singles.
Richard Archer's composer skills are not limited to these four songs. Hard Fi are a new band that has alot of promise with a vein that can be traced back such greats as The Jam , The Clash , and The Specials. Unnecessary Trouble track shows a great blend of these groups. This album will be a classic no matter how long the life of Hard Fi will be. A must buy . Hoping for alot more great music coming out of this band from the suburbs of London. Hard Fi are off to a very good start. Get this one now please.

go & buy the collected works of Wordsworth - this is a busting-with-energy , fun , catchy rock album with some great songs - what more do you want ??!

After hearing the singles 'Cash Machine' and 'Tied up too tight' i started to get excited by this brilliant new band that has arrived called Hard-FI,worth buying the album i thought.I was wrong.This is a commercial Indie band aimed at 13 year olds with only 2 good songs on , the rest are average b- sides at best.Then theres 'Hard to Beat'. Well what can you say about this song.It has the worst lyrics i have ever heard in a song. Riddled with cliqued chart lyrics for commercial dance bands backed with a 90's dance beat to go with this sorry excuse of a sell out record.If you like your music with these lyrics in- "I know i love ya,just wanna touch ya"
"You knock me off my feet", "Lets spend the night together",and wait for it - "I have never known a night like this" then you will join the line with the rest of the teenage girl fraternity.