Search - :: For Certain Because

One of the Essential Hollies albums

Randall E. Adams | Los Angeles, CA United States | 01/23/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the first Hollies album containing only self-penned material. It should be listened to in the context of "Aftermath" and "Revolver." The good songs on this album have improved with age, from the punchy "What's Wrong with the Way I Live?" and "It's You" to the profound "Pay You Back with Interest" and the very adult and poignant "Tell Me To My Face," easily one of Graham Nash's finest moments. The melody of "Suspicious Look in Your Eyes" is astonishing, almost getting away from Allan Clarke in a few places. The mid-tempo pop rock of "Peculiar Situation" is timeless and would have made a fine single. Yes, there are a few embarrassments: "High Classed" and "What Went Wrong?" sound even more inappropriate today than when new. The Hollies use precious few session musicians here, making the album a great document of the band's own capabilities. If you enjoy hit songs like "Stop, Stop, Stop" "Bus Stop" and "On a Carousel," I promise that you will enjoy this album."

Newest rock bands must learn something about these guys.

Christian Font | Montevideo, Uruguay | 12/14/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

""Butterfly" -Hollies'1967 album- is a must. But "For Certain Because..." is a real gem and you have to listen this one if you want to hear some of the finest vocal harmonies of all time and incredible tunes like the protest "What's Wrong With The Way I Live?" , the beautiful "Pay You Back With Interest" and many others. Sadly, I don't hear melodies like these in the radio nowadays."

Hollies at their Peak!

Morten Vindberg | Denmark | 02/05/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

""For Certain Because" marked the beginning of probably the most creative period in the career of the Hollies. It was also the album that introduced Tonys Hicks' banjo which is very prominent on the big single hit "Stop Stop Stop".



Their songwriting had been steadily growing since their ealiest effort usually credited as Ransford songs. Outstanding originals written by Clarke/Hicks/Nash dominate the album, which for the first time consists of sheer original material.



The opening track "What's Wrong With the Way I Live" is just great. Different from earlier songs and also featuring the banjo. The song was a minor hit in some European countries.



"Clown" is a melodic circus ballad in the same vein as the earlier "Fifi the Flea", sung ( and probably written ) by Graham Nash.



"Pay You Back With Interest" which besides being a great song with the typical Hollies vocal harmonies also features the piano played by bass-player Clavert.



Other favourites are "It's You", "Peculiar Situation", "Tell Me to My Face" and "Suspicious Look in Your Eyes".



I'm not so fond of the 3 songs with string-arrangements; though the music-hallish "High Classed" is quite charming.



"Don't Ever think about Changing" is nice, but could have been an outtake from an earlier session."