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Ham Sandwich are a really, really good band. The magical twinning of Podge McNamees dark baritone with Niamh Farrells crystal clear alto is their secret weapon. But its not the only thing theyhave at their disposal. Beginning and ending with the sounds of acoustic guitars, the bulk of the album is made up of chugging electric guitars, bass and drums with tastefully added guitar picking, keyboard and theremins and effects used to highlight and emphasise what are essentially swelling, melodic, romantic pop songs. Songs like "St. Christopher", Broken Glass, and Sleep are classics (Niamhs "dont let go" refrain at the end of the latter kind of is reminiscent of Dont Give Up" with Kate Bush and Peter Gabriel). Generally the tracks have real heart tuggingquality to them, with rising melodies and greatmusical diversions as middle eights - the band really know how to build a song to an epic climax. Recorded by Karl Odlum in a home made studio based in a dormitory at Headfort House in Kells, Carry The Meek is an album of beautifully sung, crisp, tight, lush, emotional and fun guitar songs that is much more than the sum of its parts. And who cares what their name is (well, me obviously, but I still think its a superb album).
EIGHT/TEN -by Patrick Freyne.
Track listing:
1. St Christopher
2. Keepsake
3. Click Click Boom!!!
4. Never Talk
5. Words
6. Broken Glass
7. Sad Songs
8. Sleep
9. Ashes
10. Thru The Grass
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