
Stars of CCTV
Hard Fi
Atlantic
2005
They famously lost out on the Mercury Music Prize by one point. Shocking. Hard Fi of Staines, Middlesex, are very possibly one of the most impressive bands to emerge in the UK in recent years, and richly deserved to win, for the excellent debut, Stars of CCTV.
Not since The Streets has their been a band that can connect to 'normal people' in a very genuine way. Hard Fi are just like you and me - they come from a shit town, have worked shit jobs, have been through all the crap that goes with living in bad places in the UK. And they have taken all of that and forged it into their songs.
Each one tells a tale we can all recognise: from Tied Up Too Tight's tale of shitty towns, to the hurt and pain of betrayal in Better Do Better. These are honest songs, written and performed with an honesty that can't be faked.
Musically they are reminiscent of the Clash, they share that same blend of reggae and punk, with the added influence of more modern electronic music. Recorded and produced on a shoe string budget, on their own, with no label behind them, it is a stunning result.
You should buy this album because it is real. Real music hard to come by.
Review - Kenny Mooney
Hard Fi Website