Customer Reviews

Hey Ma

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Although I liked the popularly successful songs from James during the 80's and 90's, I never got heavy into the band. I heard one of their older songs on a local indie station recently, and checked it out on YouTube because I wanted to send the video link to someone (because of the lyrics). That led to more link-clicking, checking out their website, and finding out they had a local concert last week. Decided to go.

Turns out my girlfried was a real fan of "Sometimes" when it was hot. We went to the concert, loved everything we heard, and as a result I bought two of the new CD's, one for each of us. Several weeks later, we are still talking about and texting each other snippets from the lyrics, and talking about the band and the CD. I wish I could afford to buy a million and spread them around. Easily one of the top 10 I have ever heard. You must read the lyrics and hear the song previews. The "intro" clips don't do the songs full justice, as each is a musical odyssey, with some widely varying sounds in the same song. Lyrically relevant to everything going on today, and particularly some issues I can relate to in my own life. Musically captivating. Rides the range from thought provoking to exhilerating. Will make you a believer. [...]

At first listen, I "liked" about 5 or 6 of the 11 songs. A few I skipped when playing the entire CD in my car. The more I've listened, the less I've skipped, gaining a new appreciation for the lesser songs on the CD to the point that I now listen to it in its entirety. The entire song list will grow on you, and it is arranged perfectly. While not hugely "deep", the lyrical and musical combination is just right (not too heavy or light) for ease of listening. For comparison, I list Green Day's "American Fool" among my top ten also, although they are admittedly a "harder" sound.

Thank you, James. I have to apologize for the admittedly mediocre commercial success in the U.S., after discovering that in the UK and Europe they have always been hugely popular, still selling out venues many times the size of the ones here that they have been touring this year. I don't know if its because of their label, or whatever.

Research on my part led to discovery that at one time Radiohead ('80's), Coldplay ('90's) and Nirvana ('90's) all opened for them during the beginning of those band's careers, right before each became successful. Wish some major band would have them open now, so they can gain back more commercial success here. I also hope some major stations start playing more of this record.

After being a fan of James early work, my interest started to fade around the time Laid came out in 1993. "Hey Ma" is a great place to rekindle the James fanship. Easily one of their strongest albums, here are some of the songs for which I had to immediately hit "repeat" after my very first listen: "Whiteboy", "72", "Monsters and Heroes", "I Wanna Go Home", "Bubbles", "Waterfall" -- you get the idea: the majority of the songs.

If you're a longtime fan or brand-new to James, this album is an absolute no-brainer: You're gonna like it. This is already one of my favorite "light-hearted" releases of 2008, and I embrace it like an unexpected gift from a dear old friend.

I happened onto James back in the 90's when they were touring the United States and landed at the theatre where I work in Sacramento, California. It's easy to get a bit jaded when live acts come and go frequently when you work in a live venue, but occasionally an act comes along that wakes you up and thrills you. James was one of those bands. I found myself mesmerized by lead singer Tim Booth (especially his passionate, intense voice and wild, free-form dancing) and the sound created by the entire band. Unlike many bands, all of the guys were interesting to watch, and seemed to have very different personalities (you wondered how they ended up in the same band). They filled the 1,000 seat theatre with layers of sound in a way that was almost overwhelming, and I was also impressed that the lyrics were not just typical pop love songs but songs that covered a wide variety of life experiences, and many grabbed me on first listen. It's truly rare that happens when you see a band without knowing anything about them. I'm not a kid, and yet I found myself, as the night wore on, acting like a giddy fan, pushing through the crowd to get closer to the experience, to the point where I was just a couple of rows back in the crowd standing against the stage. I was glued throughout the rest of the show, and found myself whooping, stomping, and dancing as wildly as Tim by show's end, sweating through every layer of clothing I had on. It was exhilarating. I became a huge fan of the group and their recordings, buying everything I could get my hands on, and was not disappointed in the studio versions of their music. However, I hoped to see them again someday live. A few years later I saw a gig announced for San Francisco, but, upon arriving at SF's Fillmore Theatre to see them the day of the show, we were stunned to hear that Tim had been skateboarding earlier in the day on the hills of SF and had broken his collarbone, and they were canceling the show. That was the last I heard of them in the U.S., as years later, in 2001, I discovered they had disbanded, and we were left with one of the best live-show DVD's ever produced, as a record of their final show, performed in their hometown--titled "Getting Away With It...Live." (Highly recommended viewing, by the way). Jump now to this year, 2008, and I was ecstatic to hear that the entire band--all 7 members--were re-forming and about to release a new CD. I was so excited I sought it out in its international release, months before being released in the U.S., and was floored that, on first listen, the guys were back in excellent form with a terrific new recording. "Hey Ma" is one of their best albums, maybe even their best (I'll decide that in years to come), and I've found that I'm listening to every song frequently, not just a few. My favorite cuts, though, are "I Wanna Go Home," "Waterfall," and "Of Monsters & Heroes & Men," though really the entire album shines as a complete and beautiful work. Then, even more good news: mid-summer I was overjoyed to hear the guys were going to do a mini-tour of the U.S to promote the Fall U.S. release of the album, and that one of their stops was San Francisco, at The Grand. I bought tickets the day they went on sale, and, frankly, was a bit nervous the show would be canceled again! But come October 1st the show went on as scheduled, I was once again a couple of rows from the stage, standing, dancing wildly, and getting the live James experience--exactly what I'd hoped for. It seemed like a miracle to see all 7 of the guys together again after so many years and looking so joyous and invigorated...I thought I'd never see them again live. So, welcome back, guys, thanks for getting back together again, and congratulations on creating such a beautiful, passionate album. I know this album, your past work, and the memory of the two live concert experiences will remain favorite memories of mine for the rest of my life. Here's hoping you stay together and continue, and we get to do it all again, but if that doesn't happen, I can say it already feels like I've had real magic happen in getting to live these "two lives of James" with you over the last 20 years or so. Cheers...

I have been a big fan of James for years and was sad when Tim Booth left the band. I assumed I wouldn't get another James album.

So, when I saw they released Hey Ma, I was intrigued. And by the end of the first track, I knew James was back.

As much as I enjoyed some of their more modern albums like Whiplash, Millionaires, and Pleased to Meet You, this album is a real throw back to some of the original (pre-Laid) James albums like James or Seven.

It has a very "James" sound to it with a strong use of horn/trumpet and several songs that really put Tim Booth's vocals front and center.

Since I got the CD, it has been in constant rotation and I am really coming to enjoy several of the songs. It is a really strong album top-to-bottom with several great songs.

The only reason I didn't give this album 5 stars is because I think that Laid is just on a completely different level of greatness.

Welcome back James. I'm quite happy you've Come Home.

After calling it quits in 2002, James have reunited with one of the strongest albums of their career. I am a huge James fan and couldn't wait for the domestic release here in the States, so I ordered it when it came out from someone in New Zealand! I absolutely love every album since 'Gold Mother,' including the last two: 'Millionaires' and 'Pleased To Meet You.' There is not a weak track on "Hey Ma": Waterfall, I Wanna Go Home, Hey Ma and Bubbles are among the best the band has produced over the last 25 years. Looking forward to seeing them in October 2008. Can't wait for the follow-up.

Lyrically sophisticated, sonically rich. The sound and songwriting is like an amalgamation of all their albums since "Seven." This album is clearly the product of a band that loves making music together again. "Bubbles" is simply one of their most uplifting songs ever. I only found one song ("Semaphore")to be pedestrian. What a wonderful treat to have them back.

Although it took a few listens for me to warm up to it, I now consider Hey Ma to be one of my five favorite albums of all. Long time James fans will not be disappointed.

If you ever forgot why you liked James in the first place, this album is a stunning reminder!

This was first purchase of a James CD and although I feel it's a good listen, I was expecting to like it even more. I've heard a lot about the group and friends suggested I listen to their stuff.
Starts off well with "Bubbles". Next is "Hey Ma" and I found a little bothersome as being about 9/11 and the subsequent war in Iraq .. not light stuff. Main chorus "Hey Ma, your boy's in body bags coming home in pieces".

The rest of the disc is all good. I really thought "Upside", "White Boy" and "I Wanna Go Home" all stand out. My favorite track is "Of Monsters and Heroes and Men".

Good CD overall and I would purchase another James CD.

Firstly a confession, as a long-time James fan I admit to being somewhat favourably inclined but, equally, decidedly nervous regarding any new album. For background, I love "Millionaires" which was not that successful for them or well received by the press. I think that the problem for James is that they have a great sound and why should they change it just to keep the music-scene critics stimulated. "Hey, Ma" gives James fans what they expect and want; intelligent lyrics, excellent muscianship and great melodies. Enough said. Buy it and, if you ever get the chance, see them live (and if you can't, the "getting away with it" DVD is the next best thing.