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. Dot Music
    90
    It might be a little too airbrushed, arch and meticulous for some, but it's brilliant all the same, and, in the tradition of all great second albums, it could prove to be Hard-Fi's defining moment.
  2. musicOMH.com
    80
    While the songs aren't particularly complex and won't be to the taste of anyone after something challenging, the band impress with how easy they make straightforward songwriting look.
  3. Observer Music Monthly
    100
    Once Upon a Time in the West is a well-written, well-recorded, mainstream rock record.
  5. Uncut
    80
    Once Upon A Time In The West may lack the cultural resonance Archer so desperately craves, but it’s widescreen appeal makes most guitar bands sound like they’re on Super 8.
  6. Hot Press
    80
    To paraphrase Jarvis, you’ve got to wonder what exactly Hard-Fi are going to do for an encore--cos this is hardcore.
  7. Mojo
    80
    Once Upon A Time In The West treads a similar path [as "Stars Of CCTV"], though this time Richard Archer and co have packed in more guitar wallop and catch-all harmonies. [Oct 2007, p.90]
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  8. Q Magazine
    80
    There's an Everyman appeal to Once Upon A Time... that suggests a band on the verge. [Oct 2007, p.88]
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User Reviews

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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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