More Mayhem

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. 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.\