Buy From Amazon

Hamfatter... now where have I heard that name before? Yes, they were the band Peter Jones invested in on Dragons' Den. They have to be praised for trying a new approach for finance and publicity, and it seems to have worked. But, and there is always a “but”; this is not their first album, it is actually their third album, so it’s not like they are novices! It is very remarkable that they have not been talent scouted before now really!

This is also the second release of What Part of Hamfatter Do You Not Understand?, the first edition was with more tracks and a different album cover, which shows where the first part of the finance went, into a new album cover and a brand new song: The Girl I Love (début single off the album reaching number 71 in the charts). This starts the album off, with a steady beat, building up to a much synchronised single. This is a good example of the very ear pleasing vocals of Eoin O’Mahony and the backing vocals of James Ingham. In contrast, the elder single, Sziget is a lot faster tempo, has more complicated lyrics and is much more active, just proving the easy execution of many styles performed by the band, which some bands just don't have the talent to successfully achieve. And even within this one single, there are many changes of style with a more melodic ending, which is very tuneful.

Moving on, Karma sees another change in style yet again, which fits perfectly with the bands talent, and, if anything, is slightly hip-hop.
This is followed by a very mellow track, 21st Century Sex, the intro of this very reminiscent of a Sigur Ros track. I could continue with every track, because they are all different in very big ways, yet all sound so excellent. Somehow, Hamfatter have achieved a very unique sound with many variations.

What part of Hamfatter do I not understand? The part where people have pulled them back for trying and achieving something new within the music industry. It has worked, and it should be applauded. With this album, it has also happened to the correct band.

Pick of the pops are… all of them. The only down point which stops the album getting full marks is the shortness; at less then 40 minutes long.

9/10

Reviewed by Paddy