Hard To Beat....So Hard To Beat (Stars Of Cctv - Hard-Fi)

Member Name: marandina

Product:	Stars Of Cctv - Hard-Fi
Date:	30/01/06 (575 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fantastic first album

Disadvantages: Relatively weak finale

Well I did say there were quite a few albums I could review and another big hit I’ve discovered recently is “Stars of CCTV” by newcomers Hard-fi. With the news that Embrace are about to release some new material, it seemed like a good time to rejoice in these halcyon days of all things indie. So I jumped aboard the Hard-Fi bandwagon in a shamefully populist move having seen them feature on shows like SoccerAM and the like and what I’d heard music-wise, I’d really liked. Hard-Fi is: Richard Archer (vocals), Ross Philips (guitar), Kai Stephens (bass) and Steve Kemp (drums).

'Stars Of CCTV' is Hard-Fi's debut album. Several of the tracks should be familiar as the band have had some real success with the singles “Cash Machine”, “Tied Up Too Tight” and “Hard to Beat”.

Hard-Fi’s image is typically anchored in an urban landscape; very much no-hope, tower-block landscapes and it’s that bleak, London picture that gives rise to rather generous comparisons with The Clash. There’s no doubting the classical, working-class roots that the band originates by producing music straight from the heart. The accompanying lyrics tell a tale of everyday life that’s as much grey as it is coloured when reflecting on modern culture. Hard-Fi was originally conceived by singer, Richard Archer. Having already failed with his previous band, Contempo, Richard persevered and drafted in Steve Kemp (drums), Kai Stephens (bassist) and Ross Phillips (guitarist) from the local hi-fi shop, to form Hard-Fi. The name of the band was established by the lead singer when he found the name in a Lee Scratch Perry biography. When questioned, Archer points out that the band is named after a soft drink and a female clothes chain. It takes all sorts, I guess.

Debatably, “Cash Machine” is the best known song from the album. Drawing inspiration from the council estate realm of pubs, beer and broken-down cars the song tells the tale of an accidental pregnancy: "I can't afford to be a daddy/So I leave tonight". It’s Indie-pop with a Ska feel and back to those comparisons with the masters of white reggae – The Clash (of course, there is probably no such thing as white reggae but rather reggae sang by white people).

When I say debatably, it’s because 'Hard To Beat' may be just as well known to many. With a dance-floor sound with added guitar, this is a catchy tune that contrasts with much of the album but sits nicely as a pop hit in its own right. “Can you feel it?/Rocking the city/Ah yeah, Straight out of nowhere-ness,/Like a fist, Can't resist you, oh no,/I tell you something -You know I love ya, Just wanna touch ya.”

'Tied Up Too Tight' is the other hit single. "Straight outta West London/Just like a loaded gun". A reflection on Staines as a town, it's an infectious, hook-laden tune, on its way to becoming a future indie disco classic. Flailing guitar riffs, a tripping drum beat and an anthemic rendition make this a powerful contribution. Much has been made of the meaning of the song i.e. is it a homage or a damnation of the metropolis of Staines? Personally, I think it’s the latter. Either way, it’s a strong track that forms one of the pinnacles of the band’s set.

Of all the tracks on the CD, one of my favourites is 'Middle Eastern Holiday'. With a significant nod to The Dead Kennedys' “Holiday In Cambodia”, the location for this track is switched to war-torn Iraq. Whilst the song is meant to be on the darker side, the chorus is as catchy as anything else on the set and I can’t help but sing along with the chant. Maybe it’s the love of punk/rock drawing me into this particular song but along with “Tied Up To Tight”, this forms the beating heart of the album and forms much of its identity.

"Move On Now" is a piano-led ballad providing a welcome diversion from the gritty feel of the other songs. With a poetic score and a haunting rendition, this is a beautiful affair that shows how adaptable the group can be. It also show cases the lead's talent for vocals. “Baby, Baby I think its time we move on now/ Baby, Baby I think its time we move on now.”

“Better Do Better” is another powerful, Clash-like ska affair. With a punchy chorus, clashing drums and a layered vocal, this is another wonderfully moving track. “I could not eat for days/I cried so much my face/Has never been the same and now you're back here with your lies/I hope you realise” R.I.P. Joe Strummer.

To close there's the title track, which has an entirely different feel to the rest of the album; synth-pop leanings and falsetto vocals abound. I would say that this is, relatively speaking, one of the weakest tracks and it’s no surprise it’s at the end of the CD. Not that it’s bad but simply ordinary and doesn’t stand out in a stand-out album. Saying that, it does have a kind of Echo and the Bunnymen feel to it in a laid back kinda way.

The album was recorded at 'Cherry Lips' studio (a former 24-hour cab office in Staines) and produced by Wolsey White and the band themselves. Since the original release the band have been signed up by Atlantic Records having initially used the indie label Necessary Records.

Hopefully, that’s given you a feel for things without covering every song in detail. “Feltham is Singing Out”, "Gotta Reason", “Living For the Weekend” and “Unnecessary Trouble” complete the 11-track set that I picked up for £7.99 at Tesco.

Hard-Fi is up there with the best of ‘em at the moment and the boys are set for a dazzling career. If you like guitar based, traditional indie you’ll like this. If you like rock/punk a la Billy Bragg et al you’ll like this. If you aren’t into guitars blasting, drums pounding with a front man singing his heart out to get the crowd going then this won’t be your thang. With such fierce competition in this particular niche of the music market, the pitfalls are numerous but I hope they make it. Their first album is stunning.

Thanks for reading.

Mara.

The album is available for £7.97 at Amazon. Interestingly, there is a vinyl version available for £14.99. Well I thought it was interesting. Of course, it pays to shop around.

p.s. I shelled out for the Arctic Monkeys album today :O)

Summary: Write up of Hard-Fi's First album