M.I.A. – Arular
M.I.A. – Arular
(XL/Beggars)
M.I.A., aka Maya Arulpragasam, is awesome. I’m sure you’ve read all the hype in one magazine or another over the last couple months since Arular was originally scheduled to be released, or maybe you came across the rare mixtape she made with boyfriend Diplo of last year, but I wonder how many people who would read this site have given the thought of checking her out more than 10 seconds. You should.
M.I.A.’s debut is an album full of music without a home. Raised in London, born in Sri Lanka, and influenced by everything from UK grime, dancepop, electro, world music and more, it’s a unique blend you don’t expect anyone else but maybe Beck to come up with. The backing music of “Bucky Done Gone” in fact, reminds me of Beck’s “Get Real Paid”.
Much has been made of M.I.A.’s politics, being the daughter of a Tamil Tiger, a freedom fighter group considered terrorists by the United States. However, other than a few references here and there, there isn’t much message to be found. “Arular” is really just a great party record, its lyrics more often thankfully just jibber jabber such as “Galang” rather than dumb sex songs about boyfriends who aren’t ready for your jelly.
The album flies by, every song energetic, catchy, memorable and a possible single. There hasn’t been an album so fresh, so tight, so all-killer-no-filler in a long long time. Even with the year only a quarter way through, “Arular” is sure bet to be among the top 10 of many. — Goon
Comments (14)
First off, I do really like this album. However, I have found it gets old really quick. I don’t think its quite as original as everyone suggests it is. None of the beats on here are any more different than what’s going on in the British electronica scene. A lot of this album reminded me of Basement Jaxx.
Posted by eeghead on March 30th, 2005I do think its a good album, but I don’t think it’ll make many top ten lists by the end of the year.
thats funny, I was listening to BJaxx’s “Kish Kash” last night… and I see absolutely nothing in common with BJaxx whatsoever…
Posted by Goon on March 30th, 2005well I think if you listen to Rooty, you’ll find that the beats are quite similar. Bucky Done Gone sounds almost identical to a song on that album, especially beat wise.
Posted by eeghead on March 30th, 2005I dont have Rooty. just kish kash and some other singles.
Posted by Goon on March 30th, 2005new jack
Posted by inertia on April 11th, 2005the beats are absolutely brilliant, and that voice once annoying now it’s so catchy, and i love the lyrics, 5 thumbs up *amazing*
Posted by piwi on May 24th, 2005its nice to kno that a lankan gurl such as myself is breaking from the shackles her of normal lankan life and exploring into the music world… im proud of her… seeing her acheive all this makes me want to actually strive to achieve my own personal musical goal…. i thinks shes brilliant
even every1 here in australia is getting into her
Posted by eternal fiasco.... on July 10th, 2005http://www.miafans.tk
Posted by Adam on July 17th, 2005to any MIA fans here, make sure you find a way to hear the new track MIA did with Missy Elliott on Missy’s new album ‘the cookbook’ – its called ‘bad man’
Posted by Goon on July 29th, 2005Bucky done gon is best song what I ever hear..:)
Posted by hanna on August 11th, 2005i love M.I.A.
Posted by gabryelahh on October 26th, 2005she is bealtyful and sing funk.
i love funk.
im braziliam.
well, my sister has the arular CD and she claimed to me that she was a really great artist.. well once i listened to the whole CD i couldnt stop listening to it!!! haha well i wanted to learn more about who she is and mostly just all about her…now im doing a 4 page report of someone we think shows honor and i picked M.I.A.
cause im gangster like that.
and egghead needs to shuut uup.
i mean she makes all her beats lyrics about the sri lankan life style. its just something no one has done. well imm not gonna say no one cause i dont know ALL the artist haha.
but just her voicing for the ones who cant voice is very inspiring to me.
Go M.I.A. yer doing yer thing yo!
Posted by celesticles on January 25th, 2007this is all ignorant talk. first of all, arular is original and revolutionary to dance music being politically fuelled, intense in its meaning, and making you want to shake it at the same time. thats a rarity. second of all, m.i.a. has endless remixes and unreleased songs that are way hotter than the beats on arular, (ive got about 40 of her songs) if you want em get at me hoes.
Posted by Rhema on April 30th, 2007oh and whatup to the sri lankans and indians 50% indian over here holllaaa
Posted by Rhema on April 30th, 2007Leave a Reply