Seasick Steve

I Started Out With Nothin And I Still Got Most Of It Left

Sep 26, 2008
107 Comments
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Without dwelling on the complex socio-economic factors that can render a person homeless, really, Seasick Steve should have a bath, get a job and shut the fuck up. Of course, you can’t not dwell on such details; Steve’s shtick is singing about his time on the streets. Yet, 66 years old and four albums in, the former hobo ignores the abuse, the horror and the desolation that comes with not having a roof above you. Instead, Steve sings about life on the open road with no-one but his trusty hound for company.

In doing so – just like this review’s tasteless opening sentence – he makes a bad joke out of the misery faced daily by over 100million people worldwide. Despite this, you can’t open a music periodical without being engulfed with lashings of praise about Seasick Steve. And why does no-one offer anything other than unswerving praise (ie: lies) about him? Because we live in an age where so many people pretend to like music, obsessed with not falling behind the hum of the blogosphere. Fact is, music finds itself in a time of flux– bands break in different ways and rarely unify people in the same way they used to – and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. But is this the best we can do? Desperate-to-be-authentic, carbohydrate-stodgy white blues, played by an elderly man pretending to be a tramp? Really, you deserve better. Apart from allowing Steve somewhere to sleep tonight, this is an irredeemable honk of shit.

James McMahon

2 out of 10

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Comments (107)

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Elbow1

Sep 26, 2008

This is a quite frankly shocking review. Seasick Steve is a uniquely brilliant musician in an industry filled with like for like nonsense. Suppose it shouldnt come as a surprise that this review was in the NME mind you.

Dyu dyu

Sep 26, 2008

This is more of a rant against Seasick Steve than his music, isn't it? A review would've been nice...

jumbo999

Sep 26, 2008

fucking hell. youve really scraepd the bottom of the barrel with that review. you are a prize cunt arent you james mcmahon? its the bit where you mention, seemingly in amazement, that you can't open a music periodical without without being engulfed with lashings of praise about Seasick Steve. well quite frankly it amazes me the amount of praise you shit out on the annoyong little fucktards that litter your mag week in week out. get over it. i have tonow tell us about the music please

Lycius

Sep 26, 2008

Desperate-to-be-edgy, carbohydrate-stodgy white music review, written by a witless sixth-form level hack pretending to be a journalist.

Brentmeister

Sep 26, 2008

This isn't a review is it James? Rather than write informed music reviews you guys at the NME seem more interested in putting up photo's of 'celebrity mugshots' or 'tattoos of the rich and famous'. Is James McMahon one of the 3AM girls?

Slushofield

Sep 26, 2008

What a pretentious heap of shit this review is. The most biased piece of journalism I've read in a while.

domthemod

Sep 26, 2008

Pure drivel as usual Mr McMahon. Only in the NME would a personal dislike for an artist overshadow the review of the album in question. Dissapointing. Don't try again.

spammer_ie

Sep 26, 2008

I haven't heard any of this album yet, and I still have no idea whether it is either good or bad after reading that "review". Not one track was mentioned or singled out for either praise or criticism. Is that what passes as an NME album review these days? Was this guy actually paid to submit this? Did an NME editor proof read it before it was published? If so I would like to apply for a job please. My English is good. Do I need to listen to albums before reviewing them?

27darryl91

Sep 29, 2008

I'm aware reviews are just a matter of opinion, but this james is just a complete pile of steaming shit you awful disgusting vile sick twisted human being, your reviews are all the same, hypocritical and distasteful, just like this personality you display, i strongly suggest you retire from journalism because the people have spoken, and they want you out mcmahon... Seasick is better than 2 out of 10, how fucking dare you put him on par with the likes of iglu & hartly, kate perry ans scouting for girls, 3 of 2008s worst musical acts.... does it aggravate you to see that steve pulled huge crowds, and has a massive fan popularity, i can only assume the latter here. This isn't a review, its sheer bias. you are one of many reasons why NME is the paupers choice is music reviewing as this is purely unjust and wrong. rant over

benjamin15

Sep 28, 2008

Simply the worst review I have read on this website, having not heard the album no-one but you can make a decision on the music. You seem to have forgotten that and instead insulted the man himself. NME Reviews have dipped beyond a level I could have imagined and in fact i don't think you could do a worse job if you tried. Read another magazine. NME used to be brilliant with superb reviews, but now its just shit.

Servo

Sep 28, 2008

Thats not a review its an article about how the reviewer doesnt like seasick steve, and as for the homeless comments like all artists seasick steve is writing about his life experiences which involves being homeless

littlealex999

Sep 28, 2008

At least you didn't give it 8 out of 10. I agree that Seasick Steve is one of the most over-exposed artists over the last 12 months, but he is also one of the most engaging performers out there and is more deserving of praise than the Klaxons and Kate Nashes of this world.

gingerboosh

Sep 28, 2008

really nme you bum glasvegas a bunch of whining talentless bastards who you make an uproar of cos they wrote a song called "your dads fucking dead alright move on"and go wait hes playing with three strings wheres the others gone to? dont ask glasvegas they'll cry at you

lonelysounds

Sep 28, 2008

You are an absolute tool (the reviewer)"Yet, 66 years old and four albums in, the former hobo ignores the abuse, the horror and the desolation that comes with not having a roof above you. Instead, Steve sings about life on the open road with no-one but his trusty hound for company.he makes a bad joke out of the misery faced daily by over 100million people worldwide."What rule is there that he has to sing about these things? Such a shit review, If you had any idea of what talent was you wouldnt be writing for the nme anyway I guess. Go and listen to the fucking pigeon detective or klaxons. I was at latitude festival this summer, and Seasick steve got the crowd going more than any other band I've ever seen at a festival that isnt already really popular. Most people would have only heard Doghouse blues by him, but everyone was connected to every song in the whole set. Whether his songs are 'stodgy white blues' or not, to do that is quite a talent. Oh yeah and in reviews, you are not meant to indulge in your own shitty arse opinions and try and make yourself sound

Joni_XZ

Sep 28, 2008

james mcmahon to do list.1. do your fucking job, ie, write a proper review2.shut the fuck up

sc_jag

Sep 28, 2008

This review, if you can even call it that, is complete tripe, yet completely unsurprising for the NME these days. How about an actual review of the album, rather than the "journalist"'s opinion on the artist?

somepoorsoul

Sep 28, 2008

Strange. A "Honk of Shit" gets a 2 out 10. So like his 8 out 10 ratings must be "Really Bad". And 10 out 10 what? Mediocre? Thats a honk of shit system.

Daveysplod

Sep 28, 2008

hmm... James - you don't like Steve much do you? I thought reviews were supposed to be objective, but unless I'm missing something this is neither a review nor objective. I hope you feel better for getting all that off your chest though.There are many reviews and articles about Steve and his new album at the moment. Anyone who actually wants a review can do a quick internet search and find plenty. If anyone wants to make their own mind up I believe there are a couple of tracks from the album on Steve's web site and myspace page.James, you describe any praise in reviews for Steve as being lies. Sure, some reviewers can't see any bad - thats always going to happen, but most reviews I've read offer a balanced opinion. I can't help thinking that comments like yours about the work of other journalists may be a little career limiting? And you seem to imply that people who like Steve's music only 'pretend to like music'. A little patronising don't you think? Well, I for one clearly only 'pretend to like music' and hope I continue to do so for a very long time to come!Oh, and okay,

DIABLO67X

Sep 28, 2008

just joined to write this!what a lazy waste of space review.if anyone would like to hear before you buy go youtube him.cant even say you have minimal talent mcmahon you are devoid of any critacal skills!

performingchimp

Sep 28, 2008

I agree with the gist of some of the reviews ideas, although he clearly knows no more about blues than the people he is deriding for liking the artist, and is a nasty f*cker.Some of the comments are funny. Some of them say "you know nothing" then quickly go on to show they know nothing too.There is something horrendous to me as a blues fan about Seasick Steve's rise to fame. Not because he is not good, he is, that is not the issue. There are just loads of bluesmen out there, and there always have been. So why this one? It is not because he is better. It is simply because a PR person spotted a possible little marketing idea and ran with it. It is not because he has a great backstory, or is old (although those things were sadly needed). He will have got some great fans from this and a lifetime of gigs. BUT it's true that a lot of the people who've bought into this little PR shtick and paid for the music, and maybe even seen him play, won't care about him in 5 years.

mattathon

Sep 28, 2008

If you don't like the album, then at least make an attempt at reviewing some of the tracks. This article reads like some pretentious student reviewer trying to make humerous witticisms (and cringingly falling on their face in the process).

brianfraggle

Sep 29, 2008

this is the gash-est review of anything, ever. a huge chunks of songs are based on the artists past experiences.but then, it seems this is typical of an NME review nowadays.

Daveysplod

Sep 29, 2008

hmm... James - you don't like Steve much do you? I thought reviews were supposed to be objective, but unless I'm missing something this is neither a review nor objective. I hope you feel better for getting all that off your chest though.There are many reviews and articles about Steve and his new album at the moment. Anyone who actually wants a review can do a quick internet search and find plenty. If anyone wants to make their own mind up I believe there are a couple of tracks from the album on Steve's web site and myspace page.James, you describe any praise in reviews for Steve as being lies. Sure, some reviewers can't see any bad - thats always going to happen, but most reviews I've read offer a balanced opinion. I can't help thinking that comments like yours about the work of other journalists may be a little career limiting? And you seem to imply that people who like Steve's music only 'pretend to like music'. A little patronising, don't you think? Well, I for one must then only 'pretend to like music' and hope I continue to for a very long time to come!Oh, and okay, I

shaunyeah

Sep 28, 2008

ok, so you don't like him, but is the album any good? NME please sack this wanker.

shaunyeah

Sep 29, 2008

ok, so you don't like him, but is the album any good? NME please sack this wanker.

dan_riggs80

Sep 28, 2008

The rest of these users seem to have got it covered already. This isn't quite a review, but more along the lines of a "journalist's" pent-up bias against a musician. I'm missing where the "joke" is about his music.

glockenspielRM

Sep 28, 2008

James, I only care about what you have to say if it's in the context of a music review. I haven't heard it so I want you to tell me about it. Otherwise I'd be better off writing my own music review based on what the album cover looks like and what i've read in the Sunday papers. and as for this"the former hobo ignores the abuse, the horror and the desolation that comes with not having a roof above you."1) Why is he obliged to address this? and 2) what's wrong with singing about being on the road?

Sabrewut?

Sep 28, 2008

I registered here just to say that this is the worst album review I've ever seen. If you can call this a review that is. I wish I could feign to listen to albums and make stereotypical rants whilst getting paid for it.

pygmygonks

Sep 28, 2008

Oh dear Mr James McMahon, what an utter twonk you must be. Having said that, thank you for making me laugh and giggle for hours, and no doubt days, if not years, for the most scathing and biased personal character assassination I have ever read anywhere.And the last phrase, " an irredeemable honk of shit." is one of the funniest things that I have heard. I think Seasick Steve should use it as the title for his next tour and subsequent double live album. You may have inadvertently done him a favour. But I still think you're a twonk.

nickjcray

Sep 28, 2008

What a pointless review. My view is that he ( James McMahon )didnt even listen to the album and just doesnt like Seasick Steve. Can we have another review please!!

alan26uk

Sep 28, 2008

it looks like your website was hacked and some half-wit wote a rant on it pretending it was a review! WTF I have no idea about this album now. Also music is about one persions views on life never a socio-political stance taken by a majority so Steve can sing about whatever the hell he wants to, he homeless people are not his problem! leave the guy alone like

Christ_fish

Sep 29, 2008

Isn't James McMahon paid to review music? If so, I do hope he did this for free.After reading this review, I had no idea whether this album is any good but I did get a good sense that James McMahon's head is lodged so far up his rectal passage he can see out his mouth.

lookingfortheorangeone

Sep 29, 2008

I hope James McMahon doesnt get paid for this kind of thing. What a totally pointless review. I really cant see how this gets to be printed on here. Shows nme and its reviewers in a bad light in my opinion

Grimbo

Sep 29, 2008

defo the weirdest review ive ever read! how can this guy take his wages after this?

alexgrylls

Sep 29, 2008

what the hell did i just read?this guy is a joke.. i'd have to comment on this no matter what band even if i hated them, this is bang out of order.

Cavalcanti

Sep 29, 2008

I've been inspired to sign up just because of this review. It's absolutely magnificent. James McMahon, you are the king of trolls, and watching this talent vacuum's apologists cry their eyes out is a delicious spectacle indeed. Bravo.

des res

Sep 29, 2008

Another example of another terrible, awful, pointless review by nme. Mr Mcmahon clearly didnt even listen to the album in question.. nme reviews used to be informative and balenced but i no longer trust them as a guide to whether an album is good or not as recently any old garb seems to be able to pass for a 'review.' The reviews these days seem to be less about the album / gig in question and more about making nme look 'cool'

vicandadam

Sep 29, 2008

Like many people , I stopped buying NME years ago because "review" was replaced by "opinion" . I only use this site to see what gigs are coming up and it saves me looking in the back pages of NME at the local supermarket. A review like this confirms that NME is on it's last legs.

Grievous Bodily Harman

Sep 29, 2008

Lol, no wonder nobody buys the NME anymore. Terrible review by a terrible fashion magazine disguised as a music magazine.

russellwilson23

Sep 29, 2008

Well done James! Speak out against all the dross that we have to endure... spot on review. I've loved you since you featured Reign in Blood in the classic albums... keep on upsetting the boring tasteless fans who steal my air!

rja211077

Sep 29, 2008

vicandadam: so you don't like your reviews to be opinions then? i can only imagine you want straight facts only then. "This album has 12 tracks, track 3 is 3:48 long and is in 4/4 time." etc.

ommony

Sep 29, 2008

This is some funny shit. I actually laughed out loud while reading that. Never read a review that was so cose to being pure libel and didn't actually address the album at all. I'm a fan, but I haven't got a problem with people not liking artists I like. To each his own. But when you work for a major music magazine you have a responsibility to the readers to give a fair and unbiased review of the content of the album you're reviewing -- not just your personal opinions of the man himself. If Mr McMahon had taken the time to deconstruct the album, the songs, and really say WHY he thought it was "an irredeemable honk of shit" then I'd have no problem with that. As it stands, the only irredeemable honk of shit I can see anywhere 'round here...is the author of this review.

mcr34

Sep 29, 2008

Dreadful. The terrifying thought is that since so many people have commented on it, and been angered by it, this tit is probably in line for a promotion. But please, come back from the edge -- don't single this out for praise at a future editorial meeting for "engaging" the audience and dividing opinion. This kind of review isn't edgy or exciting, it's just embarrassing.

The Felony

Sep 29, 2008

What on earth has this rant got to do with the music? This is typical NME. I can't believe Mr McNicholas actually employed you! You sound like posh boy whose daddy paid for him to go to Uni and learn big words. Have you actually listened to the album? No wonder the NMEs audience has lost complete faith; it seems no one there actually has any music knowledge what so ever any more. This must be the most unreliable review I have ever read in my life, the rest of them arenâ€™t much better. Glad Iâ€™m not the mug buying the NME, Iâ€™d rather give my money to Steve.

johnmcv

Sep 29, 2008

A music review need not adhere to a generic format, it is about the writer expressing their feelings about music and thus always different and subjective. Your opinions seem clear but what frustrates me most about this review is how close it gets to addressing valid and interesting questions - as others have mentioned there are many other blues men on the circuit perhaps as worthy of praise but without the marketing support. Media coverage has won Seasick many legions of fans but this has been supported by his music and his showmanship.The writer's contention that his popularity is connected to people feeling the need to pretend to like music, the kids frantically trying to stay in tune with the blogosphere, seems ludicrous. Surely they'd rather be trading Iglu and Hartly b-sides or Matt Helders remixes. A look at the crowd at a Seasick gig offers quite an age range, all there to have a good time; to connect to the music and to enjoy something special, something timeless and something magical in simple roots music. While people may have heard of him through the media and many are unlikely to go to other blues gigs without the comfort of

theo28

Sep 29, 2008

i think either sea sick steve should be given a platform to respond to this utter bile, in your magazine or get someone else to review it, this is pretty unacceptable. reviews are sposed to guide people to new music they like, not be the frustrated rantings of a man who clearly isnt getting laid enough, or ever. probably ever... do a proper review of his music this time. its the least you can do to.

johnmcv

Sep 29, 2008

you cut the end of my comment off...a recognisable name, to deride them as anything less than real music fans and to ignore the real entertainment offered by a Seasick Steve show is disgraceful.While I donâ€™t expect you to share my opinions, and I am delighted to find a NME writer who can still get passionately angry about music instead of just rounding up the weeks collection of inoffensive post-Libertines sound alikes, surely you should respect other peoples right to choose the music they enjoy rather than blame it on a need to pretend to like music. After all growing numbers of people seem to be choosing Steve.

norden1234

Sep 30, 2008

James, did steven make fun of your skinny jeans and ironic hair?You've been very rude about steven and I think you should apologise.plus i'm going to find out what you look like and chin you if i see you offending my personal space at a gig.by the way i only signed up to write this note. nme has descended into utter drivel.

fuzzydunlop

Sep 30, 2008

I have nothing against reviews like this, because it's good having opinionated writers again at IPC towers. However... James McMahon is no Stephen Wells when it comes to writing so it comes over all sixth-form.

norden1234

Sep 30, 2008

aha james i've just discovered your myspace. It appears you have neither ironic hair nor skinny jeans as a first suspected. However i can guess that you would have done were you not fat and bald.Insults without reference to music are not nice and i hope you realise that now a great deal of people appear to think you're shit at your job

sunderland853

Sep 30, 2008

Another load of shite there jam, suprised you didnt give it you're usual 7 out of 10 or you allowed to decide for yourself these days?

lipgloss

Sep 30, 2008

2 out of 10, based on what? did you listen to the music or are you just an attention seeking fuck? Tell us why it deserves 2 out of 10 rather than the fact that everyone else seems to love it and you wanted to be contraversial!

earsuboat

Sep 30, 2008

did this cockhead reviewer even say one thing about the music?fucking hell nme.

Bermo

Sep 30, 2008

This is an album review? Coulda fooled me! I actually regret sitting there and reading the whole rant... Would love to hear James' response to what appears to be a unanimous opinion of his work here!

HughDoVoodoo

Sep 30, 2008

This is the best review - and most accurate - I have ever read on NME.com.

bragdad

Sep 30, 2008

An absolute joke of a review, I thought the vines one was bad, but this takes the biscuit. NME has lost what made it special all those years ago, hopefully it'll have the same fate as melody maker (which ironically actually catered for different music genres, but bit the dust), the current state of this mag makes a mockery of what NME was orginally about.

vicandadam

Sep 30, 2008

I am really starting to like the comments generated by this review. Someone even had a pop at me. All this talk about 6th form journalism is funny. Maybe the rules of the schoolyard should apply and lets have a good old punchup (in a verbal sense of course) between Seasick and the wonderful Mr McMahon.I get easily confused between opinion and opinionated these days. Is the album in 4/4 time? Bring back Melody Maker and Smash Hits.

johnmcv

Sep 30, 2008

I think this is the closest NME has got to what it used to be in a long time. At least the writer is expressing an opinion. I don't agree with him (see above) but the NME used to make me laugh not bore me with dull reviews of dull music, if every review created this much debate I might start buying the thing again.

jumbo999

Sep 30, 2008

nme is smash hitsplease macmahon, what do you have to say about all this.i think its great that this album has sparked so much debate. so much more interstig than if it had been an artctics or kaisers album review. it shows, i think, that there are people out there who want a little bit more out of the nations biggest selling music weekly. i doubt the ed is listening. he's a jumped up little shitbag aswell

BOB TARBUCK

Sep 30, 2008

That kind of review should be saved for the large amount of bullshit top shop bands and artic monkeys lite rubbish the nme throws out of its pages...it was good though, just aimed at the wrong artist..give it to the metro"s..Again..

bandini2008

Sep 30, 2008

This is calculated horse sh*t designed to make an irrelevant name and amusement for a bored hack . However, what James â€œhoboâ€ Jam knows about life on them, here, hard streets is anyoneâ€™s business. â€œYeah Steve, I read about the social implications of homelessness in my A level class, so you should really sing a bit more about , I dunno the Marxist implications, right?â€. Seasick Steve does look like he has been teleported out of 1955 from a freight train , does play the blues on a one string guitar shaped like a cricket bat and yet put in the best performance of Reading festival. Still, none of the people rammed into the tent will give two f*ck for the sixth form scribblings of a twitching, flabby faced oaf.

buckley1984

Oct 1, 2008

I thought I'd spend a small time deconstructing what Mr McMahon is saying."Without dwelling on the complex socio-economic factors that can render a person homeless, really, Seasick Steve should have a bath, get a job and shut the fuck up."Actually, Seasick Steve does have a job, as a musician which, whether he likes it or not, McMahon seems to miss out that he is pretty damn popular and hence is doing pretty well for himself. "Of course, you canâ€™t not dwell on such details; Steveâ€™s shtick is singing about his time on the streets. Yet, 66 years old and four albums in, the former hobo ignores the abuse, the horror and the desolation that comes with not having a roof above you."Or maybe he chooses not to sing songs about it..."Instead, Steve sings about life on the open road with no-one but his trusty hound for company."Most songs are written about personal experiences. Apart from electro shite that the kids are listening to. (Sorry if this offends anyone, my beef is not with you)"In doing so â€“ just like this reviewâ€™s tasteless opening sentence â€“ he makes a bad joke out of the misery faced daily by over 100million people

johnny utah

Oct 1, 2008

If the NME is the UK's premier music publication then it really needs to employ staff who are up to the job of serving its needs; James McMahon - you clearly are not. Quite what Seasick Steve has done to you to warrant such as scathing personal attack such as the one you deemed it necessary to submit as your "review" of his new album, God knows! The fact you are being paid for producing this narrow sighted drivel is also quite alarming and I'm sure disheartening for the hundreds of junior writters aspiring to reach the level you seem to have lucked your way in to. James McMahon you are a classless prick and if there is a God, maybe you'll get a chance to wonder on the socio-economic reasons for homlessness 1st hand at some point because lets face it, writing toss like this won't keep a roof over your head.

kellieeagle

Oct 1, 2008

James, you just don't like it do you dear?Those who can't do ...review!In some cases at least. Next time try reviewing the MOOOSIC thats what you are supposed to do...didn't you know??

Clownpants

Oct 1, 2008

Why does a former homeless person HAVE to write about the bad side? You might as well call every love song writer a fraud when they don't touch on the other sides of relationships like when you have to put loo roll down in the toilet so your loved one can't hear your turds hit the water from the bedroom! You TWAT ! Like most reviewers for music mags you are more interested in trying to appear cool, edgy and above all amusing. I doubt you know a fxxking thing about genuine music, if you did you would have not ended up being such a bitter critic. Seasick Steve is one of the very few people who MEANS what he writes about and has TRUE emotion for his work. That is a very rare thing today in this world with so much of music being about nothing but money and image. I was relieved when I first saw Seasick Steve, thank god, a genuine guy who cares only about his music rather than looking like a twat on the cover of NME dressed in retro glasses and a 70s shirt. You make me positively sick with your smug review, its

Salvador275

Oct 1, 2008

Shit.

gdpreston

Oct 1, 2008

Bring back Steven Wells

o White Widow o

Oct 1, 2008

I hope James'cunt'Mchanon ends up homeless one day.If i see him i will take a shit in his face while he sleeps!!!

bad_nits

Oct 2, 2008

This review is spot on! Seasick Steve has been great over the last few years. And Doghouse blues is a genuine heartfelt album that talks about period in his life, released on a nothing label and flung to genuine success from the live scene. Now 'I had nothing...' is a major label attempt to re-create doghouse with a big budget and duets. Seasick is still peddling about his own hard times. When his times ain't so hard anymore with a big label behind him and adoring fans.So the whole album is pretentious and somewhat cynical next to doghouse. Bit like when Robbie Williams writes his self indulgent songs about how hard his millionaire life is.It just doesn't wash anymore

weaguey

Oct 2, 2008

Whoa i've never seen so many comments on one review, it just proves how bad this review actually is.... whoever wrote this deserves to get fired, step it up NME!

missy chrissy

Oct 2, 2008

I totally agree with what you said about "living in an age where people pretend to like music".....but in fairness it just sounds like you're jealous of how Seasick Steve plays his guitar. James, you're review was quite pathetic and just to spite you, i'm going to go buy his album, and I hope it goes to no.1, and you're sickened....i mean all the Kaiser Chiefs sing about is "na na na na na" and you guys at NME fucking love them......makes no sense to me!

acedrums

Oct 2, 2008

I find it fascinating that you talk of how he makes a joke out of what the homeless go through. I am interested to know about your time living homeless, because by the sounds of it you really know what you are talking about. Incidentally, I would love to hear what you think about the album because from this review all I am getting is that you hate Seasick Steve for the apparant reason that he is...'Desperate-to-be-authentic.' You also use these brilliantly meaningless phrases like 'carbohydrate-stodgy white blues.' I mean what does that really mean? energetic (or possibly sweet), fat (or maybe soft) white (no shit, maybe green?) blues. Yes, he is white and plays the blues. Thank you for clarifying that. Equally you call him an 'elderly man' like that is an insult, and you suggest he is pretending to be a tramp. Well fucking hell, living homeless for 40 years just to 'pretend' to be a tramp is a bloody great effort. Oh and perhaps if you saw his live shows or watched his TV appearances then you would see there is not a hint of pretence about this man. When he was crying at the sight of

acedrums

Oct 2, 2008

equally, singing a song that has the line 'when your hobo-low there aint nowhere to go, there aint nothing lower than hobo-low' suggests to me that he isnt really ingnoring the realities of homelessness.

Lemius

Oct 2, 2008

Just felt compelled to add to the list of complaints about this truly awful review. I have no problem with negative reviews but at least some level of insight or skill is surly required. In "a world where so many people pretend to like music" perhaps it would be a good idea to actually review an album the music rather than indulging yourself in this, I am a going to try and get a rise out people by pushing my own miss guided juvenal agenda gutter press clap trap.Pathetic.If, NME, you want to retain some sense of your dwindling credibility you will sack this poser.

komkid

Oct 3, 2008

Normally a review is meant to be objective, but how can you write an opinoin on something without having a bias? It wasn't a bad review at all, instead one that reviews the whole Seasick Steve populairty explosion and that sums it rather well. I don't mind Seasick Steve, just a little surprised by the praise shovelled on him and this review is a nice balance to heaps of same-sounding dross that is piled onto blogs everywhere.

jimouthargyle

Oct 3, 2008

Total Penis

ugeine

Oct 3, 2008

So is he some kind of house DJ or something then?

james hurst

Oct 3, 2008

I think i can speak for a great number of ex NME readers when i say people like james McMahon are the excat reason i dont read NME anymore. you've pretty much turned what once was a good mag into the radio one of music publicatons. james do me a massive favour and take your head for a shit, cos you have a serious case of verbal diarrhea. i hope you read all these comments james but i guess your proberly off wanking over the kooks or anyone of the shitty lib wanna be shite bands. you really are a pathetic excuse for a music jurno. two fingers up to you buddy.

hilbilly_87

Oct 3, 2008

I'm a journalist myself, but I don't think you would have to be to know that what you wrote here Mr McMahon is a rant; not a review.This is VERY bad journalism.

shedboy82

Oct 6, 2008

"Because we live in an age where so many people pretend to like music". I'm sure I used to say words to that effect when I was a teenager (when you could read a half-decent album review in the NME) - then I grew up and realised how ridiculous I sounded. I'd suggest this 'journalist' does the same. He'll be talking about 'real music' next.

wikedguy

Oct 6, 2008

Having laughed at this review several times, I was even more amused to see it first on NME's 'Top Five Albums of the Week' on their friday email !?Do they even have a clue what they're doing? There isn't actually anyone directing the NME, is there? It's just a bunch of teenagers desperately trying to be cool by seizing on shit indie bands and hyping them up, while panning anyone with talent older than 30...NME, you are a joke.

phrontes

Oct 6, 2008

Here's hoping he will appreciate this album a lot more when this review leaves him where he deserves to be- jobless and on the streets.

EatonBrayMatt

Oct 6, 2008

I like some of the others i've read here felt the need to register just to comment on the review of Seasick Steve's new record (or should I say personal attack on him for some reason). However I did think long and hard about signing up as I'm sure this was the only point of such a hate filled attack to get a rise out of as many people as possible and add new subscribers. Well Mr McMahon i'm prepared to take the bait cos i'm sure you dont really believe what you've written, as i'm sure you don't really believe in anything but provoking people just for the sake of it. I think Seasick Steve is coming out of a tradition of American Travelling hobos which probably has its origins in the 1930's depression era period in the U.S. which to ease the pain and suffering of some, quite understandably romantisiced that life. I think this is also a tradition you see in blues throughout its history of covering up hardship with a facade. From what i've seen and heard of Steve he seems a genuine person but perhaps folks like him are becoming harder to find. Shame on

mAttthhheaLy

Oct 6, 2008

Surely that's more a review of Seasick Steve as an artist, as opposed to one of the album?Say what you want about him, but he did a fantastic job producing Modest Mouse...

mindthehose

Oct 6, 2008

I might just buy this album just to fuck you off.

rick 13

Oct 6, 2008

the only bad thing about his albums is the talking...other than that i think hes fuckin brilliant!!! and im not even really in to that style of music but hes class

robbiethomas89

Oct 6, 2008

You slate his album, dis-crediting his music and his personality, yet you advertise his album as the "Real Muthafucking deal y'all". Hypocritical don't you think!

kevomara

Oct 6, 2008

Wow, That's a shame. Looks as though I've just read my last review in NME because if that review had any credibility it seems as though NME has become the FOX News of music journalism I cant believe that this review was printed. Who hired this guy? I, as a genuine consumer of music decided out of my own curiosity to to read several reviews of an album that I was probably going to purchase anyway. Every review I've read on all other sites seem to be positive, fair and professional. This though, I cant come up with words. Who is responsible for approving this review before it went on line because they need to make a career change along with this idiot who wrote this. I wouldn't be surprised to find out that James McMahon probably only got his job because his daddy pulled some strings for him. There are thousands of potential journalists out there and the NME gave a position to an obvious music snob who probably has more interest in listing to the weekly pop charts than reviewing alternative music.. Very very disappointing review. Nme is turning into the new Smash Hits.

o White Widow o

Oct 6, 2008

Seasick's new album goes straight into the top ten.Put that in your crack pipe and smoke it Mcmahon you cocksucking twat.!!!!!!!!

Ian Easton

Oct 7, 2008

McMahon, it is reviewers like you who are giving the NME its current bad name. Ill-informed band-wagon jumpers who give brash, nonsensical, vague, needless scathing reviews like that should be fired on the spot. You have given no review on the album whatsoever, which is the opposite of what these consumers who pay your wages want. Read all of the above comments and think through your approach to reviewing music. I am staggered and embarrassed at what you have written, and firmly believe you should be banned from writing professionally in the UK, especially when i read some of the apalling bands you give good reviews to. In light of this, i certainly wont be reading any of your reviews again. It appears you have crossed a line here, and many people seem to agree with me. Very sad, embarrassing and disappointing.

ungulate

Oct 7, 2008

I cannot get my head round why the hell you would serve up such a 1st class pile of shite as a "review" Apart from failing totally as a "review" you have chosen to personally attack one of the nicest, most genuine guys currently making a living in music. What the hell is the problem, is it because Seasick has found fame, do the NME go off artists if they find an audience?? Everything you say has little or no base in reality, have you ever seen him live or interviews, if you had I cant imagine how you could write such things. It pains me to come over all Times reader but I really am tempted to "write a letter to the editor"

captaingoatboy

Oct 8, 2008

As a former reador of your once great magazine, I have to say....wait a minute now. Old chap. You've currently got unlistenable SHIT like crystal castles, with their unwashed. junkie chic twat of a 'singer' on the cover because they're currently cool (ie look like car theives)... you report on every pebble of faeces that leaves noel gallaghers arsehole, you bum up any band thats willing to give you a free line of ching in some camden pub toilet... and yet you feel that we live in an age where people pretend to like music? I'm not going to comment on your review as many before me have done much better than I could, but James, it seems to have escaped you that you make your living from pretending to like music. The very living that keeps you from being one of the 100 million people your sixth form head is supposedly empathising with in this review. The NME has never made a band popular, not a band thats actually mattered anyway. It's helped many bands on their way to being popular, great bands and forgettable mediocre piles of shit alike, but if the NME didn;t exist, all the shit

crowejohn20

Oct 9, 2008

I was considering buying the NME again i haven't touched a copy in years as it was full of drivel and reviews like this one. I think the only thing i would do with a copy of the NME now is roll it up and twonk James McMahon on the back of the head with it, hopefully knock some sense into him, or a least one fair review out...

Baby Teeth

Oct 10, 2008

Guys, I hate NME just as much as the next guy. But a review is MEANT to be an opinion of the album/artist. Why all the complaints "omgz he's expressing his opinion in a review!!!1!".

johnnyangel

Oct 10, 2008

All reviews are subjective, and I don't mind that. I do mind when people who are paid to write write stupidly. "And why does no-one offer anything other than unswerving praise (ie: lies) about him?" - "priase" can't be "lies" because "praise" is subjective and "lies" is objective. Stupid. "...an elderly man pretending to be a tramp" doesn't square very well with the description "former hobo". Stupid. You can write a damning review of any album you like, but if the NME's punters are paying for it please make is make sense.

albert_einsteins_budgie

Oct 15, 2008

Hats off to the bloke I say, he came up with an original concept and it earned him big pay check courtesy of Warners. That's a damn sight more than this failed musician ever did!

Matimas

Oct 15, 2008

A friend sent me a link to this review, and I felt inclined to respond. I use to buy the NME weekly from the age of 10, when it cost about 75p. Eight years later I bought my last one, exactly because of the kind of review we see here. There's no critical analysis of the album, not even an attempt, it's simply bad journalism. Regardless of the Artist in discussion 'reviews' such as this have stopped me spending my loose change (what was one a subscription) on you magazine. It may seem interesting that there are so many comments on this review but bad writing has had a real affect on the NME as a credible music magazine.

Nikyle

Oct 15, 2008

This is actually ridiculous...'''...pretend to like music, obsessed with not falling behind the hum of the blogosphere...'' - Looks like someone (i.e. James McMahon) is trying too hard to not fit in. People won't think you're ''cool'' for doing this y'know. Seasick Steveis great, he is so refreshing, his music is meaningful and interesting. Unlike your journalism. Please quit your day job.

sgaffney

Nov 4, 2008

I, like many others here, felt compelled to register on this site just to add my voice to the general disgust felt here.Who is this guy, and what is his problem? As somebody else mentioned here, Mr Mcmahon is intitled to his opinion like anyone else. In fact the powers that be at NME have bestowed on him great influence and power when it comes to music reviews and this is how he demonstrates his journalistic ability. I think this album is great, but even if i didnt i still could not agree with what is written here as the album and its songs do not get a mention. tell me then, how this can be in the review section? it is a uninformed, biased, ridiculous attack on seasick steve. i havent read all 98 comments but can anyone tell me if mr mcmahon has posted in defence of his most terrible "review"??

DeadShotKeen

Nov 6, 2008

Wow. I can't believe the level of bile levelled against this amusing, wholly accurate titbit of music journalism. Fair play to McMahon for swimming against the tide. I've seen this guy on numerous TV festival snippets and his stuff bores me senseless. And yes, it is held aloft by woolly-minded, holier-than-thou liberal media types enraptured to their organic cardigans by his existence alone yet strangely frozen rigid with fear at even attempting to critique his - yes - MUSIC. It's his unique circumstances that made him famous (or maybe you think he would still be here if he were a New York lawyer-turned troubadour?), now here's the flip side. So what if he can play? That he tours hard? That he's slogged a difficult path? Stop patting yourselves on the back and get real. It's tedious, lumpen drivel. Next!

Soundedd

Nov 7, 2008

100 comments WOW, shame he won't sell 100 albums!

seasicksue

Nov 10, 2008

Oh shut up and get a life James McMahon, Seasick Steve is great, I could listen to him all day!

indyrocks007

Nov 22, 2008

Whilst I appreciate we can't like every type of music "out there" - this review is pathetic, no constructive comments whatsoever - James McMahon, you should be ashamed of yourself.... although I very doubt that you are.

FOOKING

Dec 3, 2008

Seasick Steve is amazing, this review is shockingly shit!Just because its not like all the other same old shit thats out now, its different and its a fucking awsome album!

pigshair

Dec 10, 2008

Soundedd: the album got to number 9 in the charts, thats a bit more than a 100 copies

nahnahnah

Dec 19, 2008

Sometimes I get seasick too.

nickysonic

Dec 19, 2008

This is the best thing the NME have published for years. At last, a bit of passion rather than regurtitating the record company press release.Reviews are supposed to be opinions; with out them it's just a track listing.