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GENRE: ROCK

LABEL: WARNER MUSIC

RELEASED: 2005

Although not a revolutionary year in the world of music, 2005 witnessed a number of strong debuts from both sides of the Atlantic. In a year which saw an influx of soulful crooners such as JAMES BLUNT and DANIEL POWTER, the British rock revival was kept alive with the emergence of energetic acts like ARTIC MONKEYS, KAISER CHIEFS and HARD FI. Despite all three bands having an undoubted impact on contemporary rock, HARD FI outmuscle the CHIEFS and MONKEYS with their debut album STARS OF CCTV.

The core theme of the album is anything but original. Moaning about where you’re from has been recycled by bands over the years, a technique employed to show their working class roots and create a certain ‘sound of the suburbs’. HARD FI display and convince with this, yet their lyrical sophistication fails to elude even the most casual of listeners. Lead singer and songwriter Richard Archer glides effortlessly between up-tempo tracks such as Hard to Beat to gentle ballads like Move on Now. Not that STARS OF CCTV is that black and white. The band then deviate to energetic CLASH sounding numbers, such as Middle Eastern Holiday and Gotta Reason. Although dominantly a rock album, HARD FI’s sound is unique with clear influences from other genres such as ska, reggae and punk. It’s an album bursting with highlights with no obvious filler tracks thrown in to make up the numbers.

HARD FI also deserve commendation for releasing track after track throughout the year, not allowing themselves to sit back and live off the success of early releases. This shows their rigid work ethics which are sure to maintain their loyal yet demanding fan base.

There is no doubt that STARS OF CCTV is a huge success for the Staines based quartet. However, round two and three will prove much sterner tasks. Attempting to crack the ever difficult US market and making sure their follow up album, ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST, also reaches the nose bleeding heights of STARS OF CCTV is a colossal challenge. JG