Hey Ma

James

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 16, 2008)
• Original Release Date: April 7, 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Decca U.S.
• ASIN: B0017SVH3I
• In-Print Editions: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #9,108 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.co.uk
In need of proof that indie mid-distance runners James are more than just that lot that made audiences "Sit Down" in the early 90s, with the occasional B-list single since? Then set yourself down in front of the title track of this, their first album in seven years and their most vital release in fifteen. "Hey Ma!" shrills Tim Booth in a disfigured falsetto, "boys in body-bags, coming home in pieces!". It's a robust piece of dissent, awkward to listen to and not exactly a short-cut to radio playlists, but the remarkable thing is how infectiously the band chime up around him, from muted flutters to spirited pulse-boosting bombast without missing a beat, acoustic guitar shredded like ticker-tape, buoyed by hopeful harmonies. It becomes a ringing pop tune, transcending its context but in turn reinforcing its message, because you can't escape it--a textbook protest song, and as such a precious rarity. This classic James line up--the one that last crafted 1993's Laid--invoke the spirit of that record and though Brain Eno doesn't produce Hey Ma they remain inspired by his methods, resulting in a fluid gushing of inspiration, numerous melodic shadings and complex weaves of sound that are never quite allowed to run away with themselves. "Bubbles" explodes in a welter of criss-crossing driven hard by a quivering trumpet fanfare, "White Boy" has the kitchen sink thrown at it and judders nearest to their earlier eccentricities, while "Of Monsters & Heroes & Men" hosts a much more subtle evolution, perfect for Booth's unwinding prose and the hymnal ends it achieves. --James Berry

Product Description
It s the 2008 reunion album from Tim Booth and the rest of the James gang. Though they began their career as jangly guitar heroes in the '80s, it wasn't until the early '90s that James broke through commercially at the height of the Baggy scene. Their UK success crossed over into the U.S. a few years later and the band were finally able to reap their just rewards. Now with Andy Diagram back in the band in addition to the Laid six of Tim, Jim, Larry, Saul, Mark and Dave, James are, once again, Seven. James recorded the album, their first in seven years, over a few months in a self built studio at a chateau in France. Hey Ma is 11 tracks including Bubbles, Waterfall and Oh My Heart.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The true meaning of a comeback!, April 15, 2008

By	Martin - See all my reviews

I enjoyed "Millionaires" and "Pleased To Meet You" but I missed the line-up that recorded "Seven" and "Laid". This is that line-up and "Hey Ma" is their best album. I hear 4 or 5 strong singles and 0 filler. I'm on my 15th listen in just two days and I still can't get enough!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Return to Form!, September 18, 2008

By	Crumbly (Madison, NJ USA) - See all my reviews

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.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Easily one of the best records I have ever heard, October 12, 2008

By	RC - See all my reviews

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.