Since the release of his 2000 debut Fresh Produce, Fink's been hard to classify, making everything from funk to electronic bluesy acoustic rock, and recording as a solo producer and Both as part of a three-piece band. You could expect an album from seeking a Constantly Changing artist to lack direction and focus, but thats not the case here, Greenall, once again working as part of a three-piece with Tim Thornton and Guy Whittaker, CLEARLY Sure Exactly What He Wants To deliver. Hard Believers a solid set of 10 songs predominantly drawing on blues and folk, Greenalls pain Depicted with excellent impassioned lyrics. Its a million miles away from the music of the DJ and electronic producer.
As an album, Hard Believers a slow starter, not really grabbing attention until the fourth track, Pilgrim, The First Time Fink fully showcases his ability to paint a vivid emotional picture. From here on in, the anger and aggression underpinning the album lyrics is palpable. Two Days Later simmers menacingly, never quite breaking. That tension, unfortunately, dissipates immediately with the Following Shakespeare. Not the first singer-songwriter to take on Romeo and Juliet, Finks attempt Seems played out and uninspired, breaking up whats on otherwise well thought out album with what Seems a little like a gimmick.
The albums standout track and lead single Looking Too Closely picks things back up and puts the album back on track. This is a song about somebody else, Greenall pitifully insists over sorrowful piano chords and insistent riff on.
Its a strange album to be associated with Ninja Tune (ITS released on Ninja Tune subsidiary RCOUPD), a label associated with hip hop Usually and dance. So it can drag at times. While its clear Fink tried to create a specific atmosphere, its possible he tried a bit too hard and lost some of the album tracks through emotional impact did stay a little too long and feel repetitive. But thats not to detract from album thats the most engaging and cohesive yet from an artist who Continues to develop, grow and surprise.
