Once Upon A Time In The West
by Hard-Fi
  • Record Label: Atlantic
  • Release Date: Sep 18, 2007
Metascore
70

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. Drowned In Sound
    50
    The aforementioned 'The King' is a string-laden lament on changing times and love in their small pocket of the world, and it's better than most of the songs that precede it. But it’s not enough to pull Once Upon A Time In The West out of it’s own lumpen mediocrity.
  2. New Musical Express (NME)
    60
    What it is overall, however, is a disappointment. A few sparkling moments of invention aside, much of this album is comfortably interchangeable with "Stars Of CCTV's" less inspired tracks.
  3. Sputnikmusic
    60
    Although it's a little inferior to Stars of CCTV, Once Upon A Time In The West is a good album, make no mistake about that.
  5. The Guardian
    60
    Once Upon a Time in the West is not a bad album, just disappointing--the sound of a band refusing to play to their strengths.
  6. AllMusic
    50
    An uneven sophomore album.
  7. Lost At Sea
    56
    Once Upon A Time is simply derivative, a rehash of the band itself.
  8. Under The Radar
    60
    The Brithish band takes its attention away from the variety and finds a moderate middle ground. This makes The West slightly generic and much more acceptable at the same time. [Fall 2007, p.79]
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  9. Pitchfork
    42
    Once Upon a Time in the West is pretty dull itself.
  10. PopMatters
    60
    Some of the tracks here are excellent and match the group’s earlier efforts, but a fair-sized chunk of the songs aren’t quite as good as what their debut offered, and these tracks certainly aren’t bolstered by the heavy arrangements and slick production given to them.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 36 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 36
  3. Negative: 7 out of 36
  1. Ricko
    Mar 8, 2013
    7
    A reasonably solid, very polished Indie rock album. For the most part the song writing is very fluid and most of the songs are built aroundA reasonably solid, very polished Indie rock album. For the most part the song writing is very fluid and most of the songs are built around strong tunes and big choruses. Lyrically, it's only so so for me and there a couple of songs that let the rest of the record down. It's a decent record without being one that you'll come back to repeatedly.… Full Review »
  2. TheSmokingCupcake
    Oct 19, 2007
    8
    Not quite up to Stars of CCTV, but a helluva lot better than we deserved. Why more people don't compare Hard-Fi's vibe to early Not quite up to Stars of CCTV, but a helluva lot better than we deserved. Why more people don't compare Hard-Fi's vibe to early Oasis is a mystery to me, but these boys wear their blue collars proudly. This is working man's pop music, despite is glossy sheen. Seriously, to all the haters out there, What's the Story?, proceeded by the Whatever single, sounded just as glossy and, if memory serves correct, got panned. In an era of New Order wannabes and (c)rap, a band with balls like Hard-Fi should be universally welcomed.… Full Review »
  3. Megakraak
    Sep 28, 2007
    0
    Worst than the new Editors' album and the cover art is terrible. Hard-Fi need to work very hard to improve their knowledge in music. As Worst than the new Editors' album and the cover art is terrible. Hard-Fi need to work very hard to improve their knowledge in music. As the single says, it's a very suburban album. Maybe 'Once Upon a Time In Suburbia' instead 'in the West'.… Full Review »
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