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Hey Ma - James
  • Band Name: James
  • Record Label: Decca
  • Release Date: Sep 16, 2008
Hey Ma Image
Metascore
73 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 10 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.5 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 11 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
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  • Summary: The first album in nearly 10 years for the British rock band was recorded in France.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. All Music Guide
    80
    James do have more quirks in their sound and plenty of quirks in Booth, who is always willing to act like a fool if it is in service of the greater good. These are the things that make Hey Ma a welcome comeback even for those listeners who may never have been big James fans.
  2. musicOMH.com
    80
    Setting out their stall with the strength and affirmation of the birth song 'Bubbles,' seemingly inspired by the arrival of Booth's first son, James gather themselves with an impressively solid stature.
  3. Uncut
    60
    There's still an organic, soaring bluster to the music, too, though a shortage of obvious anthems this time. [May 2008, p.100]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 10 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. JorgeM.
    9
    Fabulous, poetic, inspirational, epic.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. SY.
    9
    Possibly my favorite album of the year. I was not a James fan until this album. Stand-outs include "Whiteboy" and "Hey Ma". The album is a bit politically charged but I like the clever lyrics and the interesting instrumentation (such as muted trumpts, etc.).… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. NM.
    9
    A pure f*cking delight. Nothing more needs to be said. Great lyrics, great tunes, and genuinely enjoyable. The only qualm? The production is over-compressed. I'll fault the mastering for that.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes

See all 5 User Reviews

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