Album Reviews

Album Review: Imelda May – Love Tattoo (Ambassador Records)

By | Published on Monday 24 November 2008

Imelda May

Winner of best newcomer at the Irish Music Awards and with adoring words already from Jeff Beck and Jools Holland, you’d be forgiven for expecting big things from Imelda May’s debut album. And things do get off to an explosive start on the appropriately named ‘Johnny Got A Boom Boom’ – an upbeat jazz romp that knows the merits of a toe-tapping bassline. May’s vocals, too, become enlivened on an energetic chorus that offers up a ‘boom boom’ to match Johnny’s. With Winehouse, Duffy and Ava Leigh (amongst God knows how many others) still trying to relive the glory of Holiday, Simone and Esther Phillips though, May has to have more up those leopard-print sleeves than just a decent voice and a good boom. She does come close to finding such distinction with a sassy rock ‘n’ roll delivery that suggests a sultry burlesque style attitude. ‘It’s Your Voodoo’ certainly wouldn’t sound amiss over beautiful women demonstrating just what tassels are for, but there’s still something about May that stops her lasting in the memory. When it comes to the ballads, her voice falters, disappointingly lacking a natural Irish tone and not having the raw power of Winehouse, who, despite her personal problems, still leads the pack. ‘Love Tattoo’ is just too rock ‘n’ roll for the dinner party playlist, but too unsatisfying for any great devotion elsewhere. TM

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