Once Upon a Time In the West

Hard-Fi

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 18, 2007)
• Original Release Date: September 19, 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Atlantic
• ASIN: B000UYX594
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #95,303 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Hard-Fi are approaching a dramatic new apex in their career. Critically acclaimed, commercially successful and tower block tall, the West London four-piece continue to reinvigorate music with raw sounds and instant, merciless beats. Neither bound by musical restriction or industry expectation, they follow their blazing, genre-defining Number 1 U.K. debut ‘Stars of CCTV’ with the eagerly anticipated ‘Once Upon A Time In The West.’ The album sees the British band returning with a fully loaded arsenal of category-defying pop grenades, melding genre-hopping beats, Motown hooks, and rock ‘n’ roll swagger into its own indefinable, undeniable sound. In short, Hard-Fi are the sound of now.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars No Sophomore Slump!!!, September 18, 2007

By	M. Schroeder (Connecticut) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I was a big fan of Hard-Fi's debut album, "Stars of CCTV", which went to #1 on the charts in the U.K. I was worried that it would be all but impossible for the band to surpass its first effort. Fortunately, my fears were unfounded. Not only is "Once Upon a Time In the West" musically and lyrically the equal of the first album, I believe in many ways it is superior.

Back are the infectiously catchy hooks, the sing-a-long lyrics, and the head-bobbing grooves. Stylistically, the album borrows much from Clash influenced punk rock, the latest trends in indie rock, and Motown R&B. This is one of those albums you can listen from beginning to to end without skipping any tracks. While most of the songs are full of energy, the album does pause several time for slower music (songs which I personally love). Thematically, the album tackles the topics of loneliness, alienation, boredom, and yearning. The mixture of quick paced fun music with mostly melancholic lyrics creates a uniquely satisfying effect on the listener.

The album opens with the first single, "Suburban Knights" and doesn't miss a beat the rest of the way. There are several sing-along anthems: "I Shall Overcome", "Television", "Can't Get Along (Without You)", and "Little Angel". As well as some stripped down rock ballads: "Tonight", "Help Me Please", and the finale "The King". Each song is refreshingly unique without trying too hard to be so.

Hands down, "Once Upon a Time In the West" is one of the best albums I've heard all year - potentially, one of my all-time faves. As if that wasn't enough, it features the greatest cover art ever. Hard-Fi deserves to catch on in America as they already have in the UK. Buy this album! It does not disappoint.

Best Songs: Suburban Knights, The King, Can't Get Along (Without You), Little Angel
For Fans Of: Kaiser Chiefs, Razorlight, Editors

4.0 out of 5 stars fight the power, May 23, 2009

By	D. Raver "molly-apple girl" (Peoria, IL) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Once Upon A Time In The West (MP3 Download)

A great album to listen to when THE MAN is holding you down. Fantastic hate-your-job, can't get ahead, love-life-sucks, bluesy, punky angry catchy rock.

5.0 out of 5 stars ALCEU NATALI'S CLASSIC ALBUMS: THE SECOND COMING OF THE 60'S, September 3, 2008

By	Alceu Natali - See all my reviews

For my definition of 'classic' albums please refer to my review of 'Heaven Or Las Vegas' by the Cocteau Twins.

I was reading Q magazine's best of 2007. Firstly, there were those top 10 tracks of the year. I checked each one at Amazon and the only one I liked was 'Watch me fall apart'. Were the Hard-Fi a one hit wonder?, I asked myself. No, they aren't. I checked the album at Amazon and found out that 'Once Upon A Time In The West' is a classic. I found out more. The British reviewers of Q definitely need some help from this arrogant Brazilian guy here who is writing this review. The Q writers gave this album the 35th position in their top 50 best! But the problem is the first 34 best are quite inferior to this Hard-Fi album. As a matter of fact, this album is the only 5 star among those top 50. I bought the CD and got completely delighted to see the 60's back. The Hard-Fi's bloke named Archar said that they are not just a rock band but an everything band: house, rock, ska, dub, pop, etc. And, yes, they really come with a fully loaded arsenal of 60's sounds: Motown r&b, rock 'n' roll, catchy hooks, sing-a-longs, groovy beats, oh, oh, oh, ohs, eh, eh, eh, ehs, ah, ah, ah, ahs. 1. Suburban Knights starts with the ehs, ohs and ahs, and guitar cracks announcing the second coming of the 60's. 2. I shall Overcome slows down a little bit but does not miss the beat. 3. Tonight is a pop masterpiece with the ohs, ahs, ehs growing gloriously. Like we say in Brazil: 'Everybody must get out to pay for the tickets again if they want to continue watching the show'. 4. Watch Me Fall Apart is simply grandiose on its own and in a par with the likes of 'Love is All Around'. 5. I Close My Eyes is harder, faster, and raw and with a lot of nahs, nahs, nahs. Cool! 6. Television is another pop masterpiece with its charming halleluyahs that roar. 'Everybody out again, please, and get a new ticket'. 7. Help Me Please is a pause to take a breath, and relax, like Paul used to do in all Beatles' albums. 8. Can't Get Along is a typical 60's pop beat with a break of oohs. 9. We Need Love reminds me of The Animals of the new millennia. 10. Little Angel is 'Tonight' and 'Television' put together therefore once again everybody must get out for a new ticket. 11. The King is a beautiful ballad that ends this classic album in great style and makes me wonder what they will do next like when I was 16 looking forward to the next Beatles LP. It is okay if you do not agree that this album has something to do with 60's. But wonder how J.C. would look like if he returned today? Maybe badly shaved, messy hair, in an old pair of jeans, a worn out waistcoat, a Lennon bottom, an iPod plugged into his ears, and a nailhammer just in case. Halleluyah!!!

Alceu Natali