Entertainment Ireland

What's in a name? Quite a lot, if you're a member of Ham Sandwich, a band who have had scorn thrown upon their moniker since their inception in 2004 - so much so, that even Bono famously suggested a revision. The Kells-based quintet refused Mr. Hewson's advice, however, and have since gone on to fashion a sambo-shaped dimple in the Irish music scene, thanks to a triad of adequately-successful singles. Anyone who has witnessed a live performance of Ham Sandwich's will be well aware that personality (predominantly that of love-him-or-hate-him co-vocalist/guitarist Podge McNamee) plays a key role in their music; unfortunately, this album discloses very little of it. Carry the Meek promises much, but delivers only sporadically. Neither McNamee's businesslike baritone nor Niamh Farrell's flimsy pop tweet make any real impact on what is essentially a by-the-numbers indie-rock record. Their vocal interplay is underused, too; there are no striking harmonies on songs that are crying out for them (Words, for example), and the occasions where Farrell's dainty voice does manage to pierce through the overdone, heavy guitar din (Never Talk - a likeable, well-paced, edgy pop song) are few and far between. The Whipping Boy-style potent grunge of Sad Songs does make some reparations; but overall, Carry the Meek is a disappointing, characterless album that offers little or no sense of individuality. Like a ham sandwich, it fills a void and will do for the time being - but sometimes, you need to sink your teeth into something a bit more nutritious.

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