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. New Musical Express (NME)
    90
    The wonder of 'Stars...' is how magnificently alive all this suburban angst sounds.
  2. Dot Music
    90
    The triumphant "Star's Of CCTV" will be to guitar bands what The Street's "Original Pirate Material" was to the UK urban music: essential listening.
  3. Pitchfork
    73
    Despite some interesting accoutrements (tasteful trumpets yay, bombastic strings meh) and some game attempts at eclecticism (acoustic pluck wicked, piano ballad oh geez), Stars of CCTV is of a part with the varied guitar-driven stuff that their fellow Mercury nominees-- Bloc Party, Kaiser Chiefs, etc.,-- have offered folks this past year.
  5. musicOMH.com
    90
    It possesses that raw energy that was present in two other exciting debuts, Is This It? by The Strokes and Definitely Maybe by Oasis.
  6. NOW Magazine
    80
    These guys are passionate about what they're doing.
  7. AllMusic
    70
    Hard-Fi's desire to create something solid enjoyable in the midst of everyday monotony is what makes Stars of CCTV an enjoyable first effort.
  8. The Guardian
    70
    Hard-Fi's edge over more derivative rivals lies in a formula that delivers old Specials and Clash reggae vibes with the big-tune ratio of a boy band.
  9. Austin Chronicle
    78
    Fuses the chavvy charm of working-class Britain to a stream of anthemic, pure pop melodies in the service of pissed and pissed-off youth worldwide.
  10. Stylus Magazine
    75
    For fans of indie-rock with a poppy slant, Stars of CCTV is an absolute necessity.
  11. Billboard
    90
    "Stars of CCTV" is that rare British import that lives up to the advance billing.
  12. Q Magazine
    80
    A rousing debut. [Aug 2005, p.123]
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  13. Uncut
    70
    The likes of "Hard To Beat" and "Cash Machine" jack not just the offbeat skank and dubby bass of The Specials but some of their creeping dread and downbeat humanity as well. [Aug 2005, p.92]
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  14. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    An album of tight and spiky blue-collar dance rock. [17 Mar 2006, p.114]
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  15. Lost At Sea
    90
    Archer and friends deserve praise for making an album so rooted in its locale so appealing to a wider audience due to the never-ending amount of catchy hooks and melodies on display on Stars Of CCTV.
  16. PopMatters
    70
    Exciting, catchy and highly promising.

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 »
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