Mayhem
by Imelda May
  • Record Label: Decca
  • Release Date: Jul 19, 2011
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
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  1. Rolling Stone
    Sep 28, 2011
    70
    It's the perfect soundtrack for a greaser couples' first dance.
  2. Blurt Magazine
    Aug 2, 2011
    70
    May seems destined for stardom, and given these compelling performances, she'll likely attain that stature soon.
  3. Entertainment Weekly
    Jul 27, 2011
    75
    The arse-kicking Irish rockabilly revivalist's latest is ready-made for Quentin Tarantino's next soundtrack. [29 Jul 2011, p.72]
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  5. AllMusic
    Jul 21, 2011
    80
    The bottom line is that some of the immediacy of her rockabilly jazz is lost once she goes for romance and seduction, but Mayhem is still a fresh, invigorating record that is worth picking up, no matter what your musical convictions are; it's that good.
  6. PopMatters
    Jul 19, 2011
    70
    Mayhem is an essential listen for those who believe, as May does, in the living, breathing powers of rockabilly and the blues.
  7. Boston Globe
    Jul 19, 2011
    80
    On Mayhem, her third album, May proves bygone eras are merely sources of inspiration for her spirited take on American music.
  8. Mojo
    Jul 15, 2011
    80
    Imelda May can voice rockin' blues, slap-bass rockabilly and smoky torch jazz and she can do it incredibly well. [Nov. 2010, p. 102]
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User Reviews

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User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 4 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. Ricko
    Jan 20, 2012
    8
    This lady is a true artist and is a real breath of fresh air at the moment. Great tunes and a great voice. Getting loads of airplay inThis lady is a true artist and is a real breath of fresh air at the moment. Great tunes and a great voice. Getting loads of airplay in Ireland, a nice change from the usual daytime radio stuff. The style is blues/rockabilly with a bite. A very well structured record where every track has a place on the album, no filler here in my opinion. If the Yeah Yeah Yeah's went to Nashville for a year and turned off their distortion pedals they'd end up sounding a bit like this I reckon. Highly recommended.… Full Review »
  2. ConsumerBatman
    Dec 3, 2017
    8
    The first time I heard her on the radio, two thoughts entered my mind: one, why am I hearing rockabilly on mainstream radio in 2012? AndThe first time I heard her on the radio, two thoughts entered my mind: one, why am I hearing rockabilly on mainstream radio in 2012? And two... who wrote this wonderfully eclectic rockabilly?

    Mayhem picks you up from the start, and doesn't put you down until Imelda belts out all she intends to say. The fact that anyone can make rockabilly work with so many horns is a testament to how innovative this style is, giving credit to both her and her band. Rest assured: the sound is classic enough as to where you can still clearly recognize the old school rockabilly influence, but if this album is a harbinger of what is to come for the genre, it looks to bring entirely new crowds into the fold of rockabilly life.

    All in all, Mayhem smacks you in the face if you ever started to think of rockabilly as boring or antiquated. The queen is here.    … Full Review »
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