No.69 - ‘Stars Of CCTV’ by Hard-Fi (2005)

“I try to phone a friend, my credit’s in the red; I try to skip the fare, ticket inspector’s there; No no this can’t be right, I live an honest life; It seems sometimes you don’t cross the line, you don’t get by…”

A wrecked CD is generally a good sign in the Temple household. It means it has a period of repeated play, normally in the car, with the case getting opened, lost, found, drink spilt, ripped etc; Essentially, they are held in high regard. Having heard the singles on XFM and really enjoying them, the kudos goes to my wife again, who purchased the album, which soon became subject to much listening…

One of my favourite indie albums, and true working class heroes of the UK music scene, Hard-Fi’s debut album is full of energy and narrates every day life for every day people. Songs about being strapped for cash, family breakdowns, making mistakes, unhappy employments…things that most of us can relate to.

The upbeat songs are excellent and catchy. The slower songs are beautiful, especially “Move On Now”. There is a definite ‘The Clash’ influence, especially with some of the piano riffs. Think modern version “Rock the Casbah”. I especially like the dub influences, noticeable in some of the vocals, in the use of reverberated delay and melodica. As a ska fan, these rather subtle additions make for a much more complete and unique sound.

Hard-Fi formed in 2003, in Staines. The original version of the album was recorded from pub gigs, bedrooms and a disused taxi cab office. After the initial success of the independently released album, they signed to Atlantic Records and were given the opportunity to re-record the album at Abbey Road Studios…they opted again for the Taxi office to keep the original feel. It reached No.1 in the UK charts. It is available as a vinyl, but is very hard to find. It does not currently reside in my collection.

Favourite songs -  Tied Up To Tight, Middle Eastern Holiday, Cash Machine, Move On Now