For Certain Because - Parlophone 1966
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.
