Hard-Fi - Once Upon A Time In The West (CD 2007)

Hard-Fi's debut 'Stars of CCTV' is one of the best albums I have ever heard, so I was very, very excited about the release of 'Once Upon a Time in the West'. Unfortunately, I've got to say that, although it's a good, solid record, this sophomore effort just doesn't live up to its predecessor.

Lead single 'Suburban Knights', with its chanted refrain, is a good enough singalong, but it feels more than a little like a Kasabian pastiche - and Hard-Fi are (or were) better than that. In places, the band appear to have lost their edge; the passion and anger that made their debut so thrilling seem dulled, and the lyrics about ordinary working life now ring hollow. Most baffling is the decision not only to include 'Can't Get Along (Without You)' - a track first recorded by frontman Richard Archer's previous band Contempo - but also to release it as a single. In my opinion, this is the worst song Hard-Fi have ever recorded; the lyrics are cringe-inducing. As a long-time fan, I can't understand why the band would include a track like this when they've had far better B-sides - the anthemic 'Stronger', for example, and their scintillating cover of the White Stripes' 'Seven Nation Army'.

This certainly isn't to say that the album is all bad. The bitter, defiant 'I Shall Overcome' has a great gospel-influenced chorus. Strings are used to fantastic effect on 'Watch Me Fall Apart' and 'Tonight', giving the songs an air of grandeur that was absent from the first album. 'We Need Love' sounds like a football chant as mixed by Goldfrapp - no bad thing, since this brings an experimental edge to the band's sound. There's a couple of tracks, most notably 'Television', that have incredibly weak verses but still boast Hard-Fi's trademark powerful choruses. Because of this, the record becomes more likeable the more you play it and familiarise yourself with the songs.

'Once Upon a Time in the West' is a good album, with a few standout tracks; and if you're already a Hard-Fi fan, or if you like 'Suburban Knights', you'll find it very listenable. But if you're new to the band, my advice would be to buy the far superior 'Stars of CCTV' - in my opinion, a record good enough to be called a bona fide classic, with every song good enough to be made a single.

i thought that it was brilliant hard-fi do it again with another great album i shall overcome was the first track to be released and its very easy to see why they are so good they are a very talented band

This cd is awsome. It takes off from their debut album and keeps on flying. If you like the first album you will love this one.

On the strength of suburnan nights i bought an album that i though would be full of kicking ska beats. It's a fraud! that track is a serious highlight but that's not to say the rest do not grow on you. I resisted from ejecting straight away and have now had it on for a week and it's grown on me. yes the ska beat does appear once more but on the whole the influence seems to be as varied as oasis to timberland. it's good as opposed to great. i don't feel inspired to want to see the band live all the same - as i would have expected after rocking on to that first awesome track.

I bought this album based purely on hearing Suburban Nights on the radio and the fact that their first album has rarely left my cd player since I bought it. I rarely buy an album without hearing at least 4 or 5 tracks first but I love Hard-Fi and this album has not let me down. All the tracks are so easy to listen to and even if you think you don't like one of them, you will be singing along to it in no time. If you are a Hard-Fi fan (or even if you're not) you can't go wrong, it's worth every penny!

I mangeged to get to get a sneaky listen of the album and it really dosent dissapoint, the opener "suburban knights" is a catchy indie anthem thatll have you humming all day! "i shall overcome" and "tonight" are indie ballads to cherish! but dont worry they havent fone soft, theres plenty more catchy hard-fi riffs to keep you entertained! 9/10!

stand out tracks

suburban knights
cant get along without you ( these are just my favourites)

I love Hard Fi and was really excited to purchase the new cd (once upon a time in the west).
The tracks on this cd are really good, however i did feel as though this cd is not as good as the 1st album.

Once upon a time in the west is a really good cd and i would recomend buying it.

Love this album - not as good as the first but still excellent - listen to once I was a king! They are an amazing band live!

i meant to get the hard fi's debut album when it first came out but never got round to it, then when this, their 2nd album was released i hummed and harred do i get it? anyway i didn't until now and what a snip at 99p. i'm also bidding on the debut album too. sorry not really a review but just wanted to get rid of that annoying sign on myebay page saying i can review all these items.
ta ra for now

Having heard a couple of tracks and liked them, I decided to buy it and boy am I glad I did. Love every track on it.

There are tracks you can sing along to and it is great for playing in the car to while away the hours driving

The first album was great so naturally got the follow up.Also been to see them live and loved it so a big fan of the band.