³ÉÈËÂÛ̳

And Hard-Fi are always better when they're keeping their sense of politics on a very personal level, rather than trying to rabble-rouse. And it's always best, when you've got a song which is pumped up with all these extra instruments, if you can keep the lyrical sentiments rooted to the ground, otherwise it just becomes a balloon within a balloon.

So, even though Richard Archer is singing about topical issues, like being homeless, or taking very hard drugs, or picking fights with blokes twice his size in pubs, it always comes back to the fact that he's doing it because he is heartbroken, which is the kind of reality we can all relate to.

And this is where the sugar-coating on the music comes in especially handy. The desperation of the lyrics and the jauntiness and hugeness of the music fuse together to create this sense of aural relief (please don't read that out loud, I'll get arrested), like RIchard has come to a major realisation. Namely that he's had a run of appalling luck, life has never been worse, but really, none of that matters because he needs to get his girl back.

Hell, add a couple of sleigh-bells (right on the top shelf of the instrument cupboard, next to the vibroslap) and it's practically Christmassy. And anyway, any song which - inadvertedly or otherwise - reminds people of the mighty 'Yes' by McAlmont and Butler is officially OK IN MY BOOK. Get your ears around this...

Download: Out now
CD Released: November 12th

(Fraser McAlpine)