James have always defied categorisation. Originally hailed as a whimsical version of the Smiths, they were ultimately likened to grandiose stadium-fillers such as U2.

The truth is they were neither. Driven by singer Tim Booth's unique take on the world, and underpinned by those jangling guitars and glorious harmonies, they ploughed their own singular furrow, while producing at least three classic spine-tingling anthems (Sit Down, She's A Star and Seven).

Hey Ma doesn't reach those heady heights, but it is a mighty fine comeback. The gorgeous Under The Waterfall is a Dylanesque exploration of identity and life, while Bubbles, White Boy and I Wanna Go Home should all become James standards.

The band were never media darlings once they supposedly abandoned their "indie" roots, and Booth savages the press in the acidic Boom Boom. Elsewhere he ponders the ageing process - "My Ma says I look like Yul Brynner, too old for Hamlet, too young for Lear" - but on this evidence there's plenty of life left yet in Boston Spa's finest son.