Reviews
M.I.A.
Arular
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In the mood for some estrogen produced experimental hip hop straight out of the mecca of the rap industry Sri Lanka? To be honest, i don't think the world really thought it was ready for the musical explosion being caused right now by M.I.A. She is literally blowing up right now. All across the world people are raising an eyebrow and opening an ear to find out what the hype is all about. And they should be! Listening to M.I.A. is absolutely refreshing. To hear a style so unique, ambitious, and infectious all at the same time can revigorate even the most pessimistic music lover.
But back to the matter at hand. You are probably reading this wondering what in the fuck does Sri Lankan female experimental hip hop sound like? Good question. My answer is that to me it doesn't even really sound like hip hop. The beats would never work with 99 percent of the rappers in the world. They are far too electronic, tribal, and perky. And her vocals... though it is obvious she is rapping it really just doesn't sound like hip hop. To me this album is better off compared to the experimental alternative scene with bands like The Fiery Furnaces, and Animal Collective and such. If only because of how ambitious and unusual it is. Two things most people would never associate with the hip hop industry. I would hesitate to guess more people like this album who don't like hip hop than people who do.
Right off the bat this albums sucks you in with what is my favourite song "Pull Up The People". This is the most aggressive track on the album. I could almost see this beat being used in a Prodigy song. The beat is intense, with some awesome pouding bass and some wicked electronic elements of like static, a ringing type sound, then add to that some steel drums (which are awesome!) and M.I.A's vocal stylings. The chorus finds M.I.A. singing and hitting some high notes with the catchy "Pull up the people, pull up the Poor." I won't waste more time on it though, because it is the defending track fu champion and has been written about before.
Perhaps you find "Pull Up The People" a bit too aggressive for you. No problem, for you I recommend "Amazon". This track's title kinda reflects the entire feel of the beat used here. It has a kinda tribal element to it in the style of the bass, and the twinkling chimes in the background. The whole feel of the song kinda plays more like a chant than a rap song. The chorus's on this album are always top notch, and are the type that penetrate your skull and don't escape. I also really like the layered background vocals used during the chorus, of just short gasps of chanting stopping abruptly with the beauty of productions. I guarantee that if given a chance these songs would score big in the clubs.
M.I.A. though is a master of many styles. On "Hombre" you can find a kinda hip-hop/trance/latin vibe going on. Again the beats are intense here. You can almost feel your speakers cringe every time that bass hits. The steel drums are back here and I for one appreciate the encore performance. This song finds M.I.A. nasty side on display. Talking blatantly with lyrics like "Slick me, Stab me, grind me, and wind me. Hey fuck we can even ask your wife." You just have to love the range and the style of these songs. How she can talk about an affair and an hombre "cumming" on her, and on another track she is talking about surviving civil war, and revolution.
But just when you think she has done it all she comes up with the whacky "Sunshowers". Which uses a fuckin' disco sample over a sparse out of tune cracked out bass beat, oh and then they also have some hand claps going on here. "Sunshowers that fall on my troubles Are over you my baby And some showers I'll be aiming at you Cos I'm watching you my baby" Trust me, you've heard it before. Even if you think you haven't. The soft, and sweet way those lyrics are sung over the pounding wonderful beat in the background is musical fusion at its finest. This song needs to be a single! Make it so you whoever is in charge of that.
I'd be pompous if i didn't mention "Galang" although I don't think it is one of the very best songs. This is the single that is making M.I.A.'s name here in North America. This is a total club song, and the style is a bit more accessible than most of the other tracks. Seriously, play this for your girlfriend. Or if you are a girl get it and hear it for yourself. I guarantee you will be dropping ga-lang-lang-langa-a's under your breath all around whatever city you are in. And potentially feeling the urge to throw down a dance move as well. Definitely a gateway song though, I don't care how you get into the bizarre little word of M.I.A. once you get in you aren't going back.
Ok so can you tell "Arular" caught my attention? That said, I can't say it is my favourite of 2005 or anything. I just get excited about music when it does something that has never been done before. Hell, I get excited if a band has a few songs that go into unmarked territory, but she has done an entire album. They ought to name a genre after it, because calling it hip-hop isn't fair to her, and it isn't fair to hip hop headz either. Not a one song on this album is anywhere near average. Even the skits, or interludes whatever you prefer add to the album. M.I.A. is poised and ready to make a huge mark on the music industry in 2005. All the love she is getting is bound to start a backlash, but try to ignore that. The backlash will be unwarranted. Not everyone will be able to get into this sound but everyone worth their salt should be able to respect it and see the talent involved.
Songs that you should download: "Pull Up The People", "Bucky Done Gone", "Amazon", "Hombre", "Sunshowers", "Galang"
Score: 8.85
Lyrically she has a bit of room for improvement, and the fact that these beats are so damn dance/club worthy means I am not the perfect target market for it. And yet I still just gave it an 8.85, that is saying something. Double click on your download program of choice and get to work.
- Dan