M.I.A. - Arular

M.I.A.'s debut record is both intensely urban and aggressively modern. The group's sole member, Maya Arul, infuses her blend of hip-hop and chunky electro with raw, tribal overtones and a healthy dose of sex appeal. There are elements of world music here, in Arul's multilingual vocal as well as the tonal shifts and instrumentation (like the drone that opens up "Hombre"). Her delivery uses a variety of yelps and tics full of street-wise confidence and bratty energy. But there's also an appealing melodic sense, like early Neneh Cherry or Miss Kitten when she's not in diva mode. M.I.A. doesn't really sound like anybody; the music is just experimental enough to wiggle out of easy comparisons. The IDM-style bleeps and beeps of "Galang," for example, give an already catchy song extra punch. The only problem with the record, a common flaw for debuts, is a sameness from track to track which robs it of the ability to surprise. Still, Arul is hugely talented and her abundant originality packs a wallop. --Matthew Cooke Amazon.com

Read This!

This is a quote from a negative comment," This is the definition of drivel".

Please tell me what you like. To me, this is an example of a flow lyrically, and artistic beats, that combine to produce a vibe that I haven't heard in a looooong time! It's SEXY, political, and (((F@#king HUGE IN SOUND)))!!!! August 1, 2008

Twisted

"I can do the twist!" I proudly announced to my grandmother. I was 5, she 65 and it was 1965. "So you can," she proudly retorted. Maybe it was the Beatles cartoon, or, who knows, some 101 Strings K-tell "Now Sound."

Rats, I lost my hipper-than-xxxx rock critic notes. That's ONLY because I was dancing so fiendishly, though. This gets the people up on the floor. Bonus revolutionary rhetoric, too. Samples to die for.

"$10" and "Sunshowers" are the show stoppers. Lots of wow throughout. Anyway, enough of that. Back to me, Lexus in the driveway, snowperson on the front lawn, private kids' (including mine) school up the hill.

Samples to die for. Better than Moody Blues "techno" 80's "comeback." Which NO one could twist to, a shame, because twisting ~ and being twisted ~ is, like, EXACTLY. My, my. Now back, over and out, to YOU. June 22, 2008

OK

You can tell the difference between this and the next. A couple of good songs, nothing spectacular. One song on this CD appears on the movie "War" with Jet-Li. Although I rate this with an OK, Im very tough. There's no sappy love ballads, no whiney boy songs. It's in your face, and strong. May 12, 2008

Funk the War

We rocked this CD at the FUNK the war protest on the 5th Anniversary.

MIA put all the kiddies in militant mood! April 6, 2008

Worth the Buy

You can't help but respect the creativity poring out of this album. This was M.I.A.'s debut & the reason why so many love her. I love this album & it hasn't left the car in weeks. March 10, 2008

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