Slap in the Face

A sharp rebuke or rebuff, as in Being criticized in front of my staff was a real slap in the face, or We thought it quite a slap in the face when they returned our letter unopened. The figurative use of this term, which can also refer to a literal blow, dates from the late 1800s.

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• Artist: Henry Ate
• Rating:
• Release Date: 1997
• Genre: Rock

Review

Henry Ate was largely a showcase for the talents of lead singer Karma-Ann Swanepoel, and Slap in the Face certainly doesn't disappoint from that perspective. Swanepoel's vocals and songwriting are what make this band so distinctive. Her singing sits somewhere between Tanya Donnelly and the Cranberries' Dolores O'Riordan -- a mix that is bound to grate on some listeners, but one that is ultimately worth the effort.

The songs on Slap in the Face are largely folk, although the bands' pop sensibilities ensure that the album is full of glorious melodies and not just jangly guitars. The superb harmonies of "Pandora's Child" and the pop of "Hey Mister" make these two of the best tracks on the disc. Elsewhere, Henry Ate is at their best when they don't stray too far from the formula. When they head more into rock territory, they seem to lose their way on occasion, as on "Mother Superior" and the silly "Fashionably Large." Fortunately, they manage to redeem themselves through "Henry" and "Just." Overall, Slap in the Face shows a young band who were beginning to demonstrate their considerable talents. ~ Jonathan Lewis, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Jesus Made Me		Henry Ate
Hey Mister		Henry Ate
Mother Superior		Henry Ate
Pandora's Child		Henry Ate
Fashionably Large		Henry Ate
Waves of Salt		Henry Ate
Eudaimonia		Henry Ate
Henry		Henry Ate
Mr. Blue		Henry Ate
No Intrusion		Henry Ate
So He Says		Henry Ate
Station Beach		Henry Ate
Just		Henry Ate

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