this debut album is excellent. its a flawed album, but worthy of anyones money. lyrically its wonky in places and Richard Archer isnt blessed with the best of voices, but despite all this, there is an edge and energy to this debut. lyrically its the about everyday working class life which the majority of people can relate to in one way or another.
the singles are all excellent rock-pop songs. Hard To Beat is a indie-rock dancefloor filler about going on the pull, the soaring Living For The Weekend is one of the finest 'getting ready for Friday night' records and Better Do Better is up there with the finest breakup songs ever written. elsewhere Middle Eastern Holiday present a darker more political side to Hard Fi while Move On Now tenderly illustrates a longing to leave our current lives for something better than toiling and slaving away in our small towns.
there are a few stinkers on this album (Gotta Reason and Unnecessary Trouble and instantly forgettable filler tracks) but overall, there is enough goodness on here that makes it a worthy purchase.