As musical monikers go, Ham Sandwich is not exactly the dogs bollox. What we can say, though, is that as a band (rather than a dish) the Kells outfit are hotter than mustard. Indeed, if they’re a ham sandwich, it’s been assembled by Jamie Oliver rather than the man with the sliced pan and the shrink wrap in the railway station. This follow-up to 2008’s well-received Carry The Meek sees the the Hams making a giant leap in terms of musical complexity, lyrical depth and sheer tightening-up. In White Fox, they’ve delivered ten near-perfect pop songs in a wonderfully economical 33 minutes. The intertwining wordplay between Niamh Farrell’s sweetly sexual voice and Podge McNamee’s occasional baritone works to great effect, underpinned by Ollie Murphy’s tight drumming and D’Arcy’s anthemic guitar (bassist Johnny Moore left the band earlier this year, ably replaced on this recording by uber-producer Karl Odlum).
Singles ‘The Naturist’ and ‘OH-OH’ have already been radio hits, but there’s plenty more prime airwave-busters to be found here. ‘Ants’ is a gently melodic number that builds to a memorably emotional climax, showcasing Farrell’s amazing vocal ability: she is a superb singer. ‘Models’ sounds like the greatest song The Cardigans never wrote. ‘Long Distance’ has a beautifully sad refrain of, “You used to spend the night in my arms,” that’ll have you humming for days.
White Fox is dedicated to their late manager Derek Nally. He couldn’t have asked for a better tribute.

KEY TRACK: ‘THE FOG’