Hard-Fi - Stars Of CCTV (CD 2005)

It's been a very long time since someone recommended an album to me,I bought it and thought, "Wow, that's good!" and played it straight through two or three times. This is such an album from a band who recorded a bunch of their own self written tunes, and then had it picked up for release by a major label.There is much more to them than just front man Richard Archer, though he does have a charisma when you get to see them live. All the tracks have well thought out arrangements with subtle but sparse use of other instruments, some piano here, some brass on both "Unnecessary Trouble" and "Better do better" and some (believe it!) cornet on "Move on now". The songs reflect living in the outer London fringes in Mr. Blair's Britain (Staines, actually) with wry observations about life, relationships and not having much money. To have moved someone who nowadays listens mainly to jazz to install it in his CD changer as a fixture is astounding enough, but to then see them live at a venue near me ( The Eden Project) was enough to convince me to go and see them again this fall. They're in Japan in November, and threaten be in the US early next year. If you get the chance go and see and hear them, but as a start buy this and be in at the start of a word-of-mouth bigness. Oh yeah, and play it loud! Whatever next?

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 love this CD! All the tracks are brilliant but in particular i like 'Cash Machine', 'Tied Up Too Tight', 'Hard To Beat' and 'Living For The Weekend' are instant classics. I highly recommend this CD, you will not be disappointed.

There are many a band writing whingy songs about the tough life in the cities from which they spawn and their need to escape. What makes Hard-Fi different, is they take this format lyrics wrap them up in half a pound of 70s sound (think The Clash, The Specials, White man dub and disco, only with better hair and prettier faces) take half a pound of romance and there you will find the catchy edgy well produced lo-fi little tunes that are Hard-Fi.

Something for everyone. Though I am not sure everyone will actually 'get it'.

The band? No doubt heading straight out of Staines with the bank roll as we speak and well deserved I say!

some classic singles lifted from this debut album.
living for the weekend, cash machine and can't think of the other one right now.

Excellent music and one you can sit and chill too. Fantastic to sit in the garden with a drink and not worry about the world.

i absoloutly love this album,the best album i have ever bought.
hard fi are the best indie band in the uk
every song on this album is brill.everyone has a nice tempo
went to see them in concert brilliant...

what a debut album!!! hard fi are an incredible band and this album shows it well. this album is amazing right the way through, not just the odd song that is good. i love it and recommend it to everyone

Fantastic Album was told it was good so decided to buy for myself. Good songs all the way through not just the odd few. Listened to loads and will continue to enjoy!!!

A quality example of whats good about British pop culture today. Upbeat tunes that will be undated in 10 years time unlike some of their piers.

This album is a great first album for Hard-Fi, with loads of hits that you will know and love! Chart hit songs like Cash machine will have you moving! Can't wait for the follow up!

This cd marks the feeling of todays people.
The first song "cash machine" has a haunting effect, not only with the music but the words.
I found it to be one of those cd.s, that you play when your driving alone, that you can turn up loud and howl your head of too!

Along side of this its fun, down to earth and music of today

Wanted this album ut always forgot to pop in to a shop when in town.
I was off work post knee op & bought it from sitting on the sofa using paypal, did n't even need to find my wallet. CD arrived on my doormat 2 days later. The cd is brilliant and is one of my most often played.

CLASSY ALBUM...ONE OF THE BETTER ALBUMS OF 2005..IF THEIR FUTURE CDS ARE ANYTHING LIKE THIS ONE....THEY WILL BE THE NEXT MAJOUR BRITISH BAND...

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.

Heard the song "Tied up too tight " on the Radio 1s Live Lounge Album and loved it ,Had heard a couple of tracks ,so i went after a copy on Ebay and eventually got hold of a copy and i would say it's a very good album not excellent but very good

Just got this album recently and wish I had bought it earlier. A fantastic album that screams class!

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!

Excellent album, why didn't I buy it earlier ??. Can be bought at bargain prices here on ebay and worth every penny.

Was a bit disappointed with the tracks on this, I really liked the chart hits that they had but the rest of the CD was a let down.

I lurrrrve this album!! I bought it when it first came out and never bore of it.
I love the vocals - I love the music. It's great to sing along to!!

Only downside to this group is the the vocals live are disappointing not a patch on the studio vocals, think they hit the booze too much before their gigs :-( shame

Had meant to buy it ages ago & didnt get around to it, so I thought why pay full price for an album thats not that current. Having received the cd I was really pleased with all of it.

Brilliant album, gorgeous tunes, amazing voice... just love it!!! A modern classic. You'll want to go to the gig,see the band and sing along to all the tunes.