“There is less of ‘ill wind’ and more of a ‘sea of splendor.’”
Ham Sandwich’s “White Fox” is a Dark Horse
Last week has had me thinking why we are always looking with trepidation to the second album. Apart from the obvious anchor that the first album plays for us in terms of what we hear and how that first album always has that sense of intrigue given this is a new band and they haven’t been heard before. It’s all about relativity, “the first album was heavier,” “the second album is more poppy than the first,” etc. We often forget how songs often change meanings over time for us off particular albums, how we, in some cases, dislike songs for months before finally “getting” them. I’ll never forget when I bought “Carry the Meek,” and fell in love with Ham Sandwich. I’ve cried out for them to stick to their guns and the “raw” quality they possessed to remain instead of a more “accessible” style.
Well, it’s not as raw and it’s not more accessible. That seems like a pretty neutral statement and that’s the reaction I expect from fans first impressions of “White Fox.” Truthfully it’s not what I expected, and that is the best compliment I can pay it. Anyone who has seen Ham Sandwich always makes the same remarks, usually about how good they are live, the rapport they have with the crowd, the energy seen by them all and in particular Podge. That energy is what made them big is somewhat diluted in this album, albeit very, very intentionally. This album makes a statement that is now showing their fans and the world that they are not all huff, puff and electric guitars. There is a much more polished quality to this album, which is immediately recognizable when juxtaposed with “Carry the Meek,” with that same energetic quality but perhaps channeled more into a wider use of instruments and subtlety that gives a more collective and cohesive arrangement.
This maturity is also visible in the lyrics used throughout “White Fox.” If you care to cast your mind back, the strength in lyrics (words like Boom etc) was a prominent feature of the aforementioned ‘first album.’ This is replaced with less blood and thunder and more level-headedness. Another theme that was in the foreground of Ham Sandwich was the insatiable reference to nature, one which again can be seen but with restrained expression. There is less of “ill wind” and more of a “sea of splendor.”There is no doubt that this control identified in “White Fox” is an obvious and very deliberate decision taken by the band to show a more rounded range of talents and aided their status among their voracious fans. The stand out track, without question is “Ants,” and there is even reference to “confined emotions,” but with haunting repetitions of “You always start over, you always survive, If I’ve yet to take over, I’ve yet to say goodbye.” This is a glimpse into the longing of love most of us get when were seven drinks deep and detached from our group while eyeing up the keypad of your phone with the digits of your ex in the back of your mind. Capturing that emotion is not easy, putting it together is what makes Ham Sandwich special. “The Naturist,” will appease any cases of too much change too soon and I can’t wait to see the likes of “White Fox,” and “Oh-Oh,” live. There are, as always, the forgettable ones, but fewer than were on “Carry the Meek,” and if it mirrors that success, well need I say more?
The easiest route for this album would have been to stick to what has made them popular, that creative indie-rock that was so infectious or better still dilute the creativity, make it louder and more obvious and pin their hopes on sales. Particularly with the press surrounding Ham Sandwich unrelated to their music including a John Moore leaving (and little doubt the level of influence he had on the band to date), it’s very refreshing that the Kells outfit have been so measured in their approach to the second album. “White Fox,” is a very legitimate and worthy purchase by its own right and not based on how much I loved “Carry the Meek.” How many second albums can you say that about?