ahab
Album: Wits End
Label: Navigator
Tracks: 11
Website: http://ahabofficial.com

My first reaction on getting "Wits End" was one of disappointment as it turned out not to be a new album, but a re-mastering of songs from the two previous EPs, "No King" and "KMVT", then I remembered the chaotic circumstances of those previous releases and I could see the logic behind the release.

Following the bands appearance at Cropredy and the subsequent session for Bob Harris, the band rushed out "No King" so that they would have material to sell at gigs. The ep was self-released and difficult to get hold of, though a copy did find its way to John Leckie who set about working with the band for the next EP, "KMVT" on Navigator, where history sort of ended up repeating its self.

Taking their blend of poppy Americana to the Tonder Festival in Denmark, ahab found themselves storming it and subsequently "KMVT" was rushed out across Scandinavia. Naturally it was also released in the UK, where the lead track, "Wish You", like in Denmark, received national radio play.

Since then ahab have been extensively on the road, both supporting the likes of Bellowhead as well as in their own right and taking in a good number of festivals along the way.

The biggest winner on "Wits End" is the original EP, "No King", the re-mastering process has brought more depth to the band's trademark four part harmonies, adding more sparkle to the slightly thin sounding original, it really has breathed something more into that part of the album.

The process is less noticeable on the "KMVT" side of the album, which is understandable as that was always a more complete product, one that stood well enough on its own. The result is an album that does bring something to the party, giving access particularly to those early songs, it shows ahab is a band with the potential to make a mark on Anglicana. That said it would have been good to have had something new, new.

Neil King