JAMES UNVEIL HIGHLY CONTROVERSIAL ALBUM COVER - GIGWISE 3/08

The band get political...

by Scott Colothan on 14/03/2008

Indie veterans James have unveiled the controversial artwork to their new album ‘Hey Ma’ which features an image of a baby about to pick up a handgun.

The hard-hitting image has apparently seen advertising execs give the album a wide berth, meaning that it is very unlikely to feature on major PR campaigns.

The record itself, released through Fontana/Mercury Records on April 17, also deals with very poignant subject matter and the current hostile world climate.

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There’s imagery about 9/11 through lyrics about “falling towers” and “dust in the air”, while the Afghan and Iraqi conflicts are brushed upon in the lines “1-2-3. What are we fighting for?” and “Hey Ma, the boys in body bags.”

‘Hey Ma’ is James’ tenth album and the follow-up to 2001’s ‘Pleased To Meet You.’ It was recorded at Warsy Chateau in northern France with producer Lee ‘Muddy’ Baker.