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
8.6 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 12 Ratings

Your Score
0 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. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Hot Press
    80
    Welcome return to form from nineties stalwarts, not much has changed with this tenth studio album but if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
  4. 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]
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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. 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
  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
  3. TomB.
    8
    great to have these guys back, and a welcome return to form. hopefully they have a few more albums in them, with this lineup. their 90s output was almost second to none.… Expand
  4. thelistener
    7
    Great to have a new James release... Doesnt come close to Laid (which would be a 10 on my scale)... but is still quite good. The album seems to heavy on the horns at times.. Despite my score of 7, a must buy for any James fan.… Expand

See all 5 User Reviews

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