Stars Of CCTV
by Hard-Fi
  • Record Label: Atlantic
  • Release Date: Mar 14, 2006
Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. Mojo
    40
    A steely-eyed desperation to succeed is transparent all through Hard-Fi's debut. [Aug 2005, p.112]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. Rolling Stone
    60
    Their Clash-inspired punk funk bites music ideas from the Specials and the Happy Mondays, but singer Richard Archer gets his songs from street life, dead-end jobs, run-ins with the law.
  3. Under The Radar
    60
    Hard-Fi don't quite have the lyrical prowess or songwriting chops yet to make the dent they'd like. [#13, p.92]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. Slant Magazine
    50
    Cribbing from Franz Ferdinand's sonic playbook (with a healthy dose of fellow revivalists Dead 60s, Kasabian, and--why not?--Kaiser Chiefs thrown in), Hard-Fi builds roiling, angsty anthems built upon Richard Archer's stark evocations of life in suburban London.
  6. Tiny Mix Tapes
    50
    There isn't much about Stars Of CCTV that hasn't already been done and better.
  7. Blender
    60
    A slice of British street life with strut, and guitars. [Apr 2006, p.112]
    All this publication's reviews
  8. Playlouder
    60
    Musically there's nothing on 'Stars of CCTV' that stands out as particularly innovative or imaginative[;] it's above average modern indie fare made with gusto by people who want to make records that sound like the records they like: The Clash, The Specials, The Verve and a bunch of other bygone Britpoppers.

Awards & Rankings

87
#87 Most Discussed Album of 2006

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 50 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 43 out of 50
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 50
  3. Negative: 3 out of 50
  1. muzziklover
    Dec 15, 2010
    8
    An album that tries too hard to push its working class motives. That is the only thing that this album suffers from since I am not convincedAn album that tries too hard to push its working class motives. That is the only thing that this album suffers from since I am not convinced about how the vocalist sings about the hardships of the British working class but aside from all of this, it's a cleverly layered album with catchy, joyful but strangely dark songs with Clash like guitar and crowd like atmosphere.… Full Review »
  2. EdwardM
    May 12, 2007
    10
    Probably the most energetic album I've heard in the last 5 years. It takes a few listens to fully appreciate, but after that you'll Probably the most energetic album I've heard in the last 5 years. It takes a few listens to fully appreciate, but after that you'll be hooked.… Full Review »
  3. moslegend34
    Dec 21, 2014
    8
    Much to the surprise of the pub, I attempted ‘Living for the Weekend’ at Karaoke-it was an interesting experience to say the least!
    While I    Much to the surprise of the pub, I attempted ‘Living for the Weekend’ at Karaoke-it was an interesting experience to say the least!
    While I enjoyed it, members of the pub were somewhat bemused at this band who they most probably had never heard before. I feel like this reaction reflects the general reaction to this album; catchy tunes, great lyrics in patches, but, for a British rock band it lacked the variety of their contemporaries, namely Kasabian and the Arctic Monkeys.
    There are some sumptuous doses of magic in this album. Indeed, the band conjured up a catchy rhythm in ‘Living For the Weekend’ a superb social narrative through the lyrics of ‘Tied Up Too Tight’ and ‘Middle Eastern Holiday’ as well as an catchy guitar riff in ‘Gotta Reason’ (also used in the Goal movie.)
    While some of their efforts appear laboured; ‘Move on Now’ and ‘Unnecessary Trouble’ this album is well worth a decent listen for British/alternative rock fans.    … Full Review »
See all user reviews »