Magnify(album)
Magnify | ||||
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Studio albumby | ||||
Released | September 30, 2022 | |||
Recorded | 2021–2022 | |||
Studio | Black Mountain Studios Sun Studios | |||
Genre | ||||
Label | Route 109A Records | |||
Producer | Michael Heffernan | |||
Ham Sandwichchronology | ||||
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Magnifyis the fourth album from Irish rock bandHam Sandwich.It was released on 30 September 2022 and is the first album recorded by the band as a trio. The album received generally positive reviews and reached No. 11 on theIrish Album Chart.
Production
[edit]Writing for the album began in 2020 during theCOVID-19 pandemic,while the band's members were under lockdown restrictions, forcing them to collaborate remotely. The band initially planned to also record the album remotely, beginning with what would be the first single, "Electro-Wave". However, the delays that resulted from having to co-ordinate from different locations led the band to postpone recording until it was possible for the band to enter the studio together. This extra break before recording meant that the band spent more time refining the demo tracks than they typically would have done on previous albums.[1]
The track "Good Friday" was released as a single to celebrate the band's 20th anniversary, with the title referencing the band's origins at aGood Fridayparty. As a tribute to the band's late manager, Derek Nally, the track also includes snippets of recordings of Nally speaking.[2]
Magnified,anEPconsisting of stripped down versions of 4 songs from the album, was released on May 21, 2023. It featured cellistAilbhe McDonaghon all tracks.[3]
Reception
[edit]Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
Hot Press | 7.5/10[4] |
Irish Examiner | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The Spill Magazine | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Fortitude Magazine | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
On its release,Magnifypeaked at 11 on the Irish album charts.[8]It has received generally positive reviews in Ireland and the UK.
Kate Brayden, in a positive review forHot Press,noted the new electronic influences in the band sound, as well as praising the band's signature dual vocals of Niamh Farrell and Podge MacNamee. Brayden singled out "Julian" and "Good Friday" as standout tracks, particularly the later for its poignant tribute to the band's late manager, Derek Nally.[4]Farrell and MacNamee's vocals were also singled out by Ljubinko Zivkovic in a review forThe Spill Magazine,who was also impressed by Brian Darcy's guitar work.[6]Ed Power, writing forIrish Examiner,stated that the album was worth the wait after a seven-year gap since the band's previous album, and praised Farrell's vocals in particular on opening track "Electro-Wave".[5]
Track listing
[edit]All tracks are written byHam Sandwich
No. | Title | Length |
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1. | "Electro-Wave" | 3:52 |
2. | "Julian" | 3:34 |
3. | "Run Run" | 3:37 |
4. | "Next Contender" | 4:13 |
5. | "Le Soleil" | 2:12 |
6. | "Fired Up" | 3:44 |
7. | "Work of Art" | 3:55 |
8. | "A Pact" | 2:58 |
9. | "All My Blood" | 3:12 |
10. | "Good Friday" | 4:23 |
Total length: | 35:44 |
Sources:[9]
Personnel
[edit]- Ham Sandwich
- Niamh Farrell – lead vocals, bass
- Podge McNamee – vocals, guitar, keyboards
- Brian Darcy – vocals, guitar, percussion, keyboards
- Additional musicians
- Alex Borwick –banjo,mandolin,trombone
- Graham Heaney – bass
- Paul Kenny – drums
- Pat Daly –strings,harmonium
- Production
- Michael Heffernan – production
- Justin Gerrish –mi xing
- Emily Lazar–mastering
- Chris Allgood – mastering
Charts
[edit]Chart (2022) | Peak position |
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Irish Album Chart[8] | 11 |
References
[edit]- ^Mason, Julie (17 October 2022)."IN CONVERSATION: HamsandwicH – God Is In The TV".God Is in the TV.Retrieved5 May2023.
- ^"PREMIERE: HamsandwicH celebrate a remarkable 20 years with new video for 'Good Friday'".Hot Press.6 April 2023.Retrieved16 May2023.
- ^Ham Sandwich(May 21, 2023)."Ham Sandwich – Our 2nd EP of the year entitled 'MAGNIFIED'..."Facebook.RetrievedMay 23,2023.
- ^abBrayden, Kate (7 October 2022)."Album Review: HamsandwicH, Magnify".Hot Press.Retrieved28 April2023.
- ^abPower, Ed (29 September 2022)."Album Reviews: new music from Pixies and HamsandwicH".Irish Examiner.Retrieved28 April2023.
- ^abZivkovic, Ljubinko (30 September 2022)."SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: HAMSANDWICH – MAGNIFY – The Spill Magazine".The Spill Magazine.Retrieved5 May2023.
- ^Pettipher, Eleanor."Album Review: HamsandwicH – Magnify – Fortitude Magazine".Fortitude Magazine. Archived fromthe originalon 30 September 2022.Retrieved16 May2023.
- ^ab"Discography Ham Sandwich".irish-charts.Hung Medien.Retrieved28 April2022.
- ^Magnify(booklet).Ham Sandwich.Route 109A Records. 2022. rou032.
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