More Mayhem

More Mayhem

Synopsis

Trying to sustain the momentum of 2011, a year which has seen her perform in front of Barack Obama, tour the U.S. with Jeff Beck, and reach the U.K. Top Ten for the first time, Irish rockabilly revivalist Imelda May's international breakthrough album, Mayhem, is the latest chart hit to receive the deluxe edition treatment. Keeping her in the public eye may be a smart move on behalf of the record label, but the loyal fan base who bought the original are likely to feel short-changed by the slim new pickings on offer. Whereas recent reissues by the likes of Lady Gaga and Ellie Goulding have treated audiences to almost an entirely new extra studio album, the imaginatively titled More Mayhem only features six additional tracks, two of which are remixes. Nevertheless, the four brand-new recordings are more than worthy of taking their place in her increasingly popular back catalog. With its fast-paced surf guitars, galloping percussion, and May's feverish tones, "Road Runner" doesn't exactly reinvent the wheel, but it's an infectious example of what she does best; "Gypsy" is a charming slice of old-fashioned country interspersed with Wild West-style whistles, and "Blues Calling" shows that the convincing attempt at funereal blues on "Too Sad to Cry" was no fluke, as May mournfully croons her way around a backdrop of smoky jazz trumpets and twanging guitars. A playful take on Patsy Cline's "Walkin' After Midnight" is a nice accompaniment to "Tainted Love," the album's only covers, but apart from the slight Latin twist to "Inside Out" and a rawer production on "Proud and Humble," the two "remixes" tacked on at the end are pretty much indistinguishable from the originals. The new material here would have undoubtedly meant more value for the money if it had been released separately as an EP, but for any casual fans yet to put their hand in their pockets for Mayhem, this More edition is still worth the extra cost. ~ Jon O'Brien

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