Track Listing

1. Bamboo Banga
2. Birdflu
3. Boyz
4. Jimmy
5. Hussel
6. Mango Pickle Down River
7. 20 Dollar
8. World Town
9. The Turn
10. XR2
11. Paper Planes
12. Come Around

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #151 in Music
• Released on: 2007-08-21
• Number of discs: 1

Album Description
THIS CD FEATURES A FREE RINGTONE AND MOBILE PHONE WALLPAPER (see insert for details)

M.I.A. is hailed as one of the most freshly creative artists to hit the scene, paving the way for fierce and adventurous females to break the mold. With KALA, she pulls even more globe-trekking, and genre bending into her musical mix.

Recorded in India, Trinidad, Australia, London, New York and Baltimore, M.I.A. has crafted an international sound that is as excitingly undefineable as it is infectious.

The first single from KALA, "Boyz" was just listed at #1 Rolling Stone's Hot List, and #1 song of the Month in Blender magazine!

"Electrifying" - The New York Times

Amazon.com
Maya Arulpragasam, the British-based daughter of Sri Lankan refugees, delivered one of 2005's eye-popping debuts, Arular. For an album that proudly flaunted tin-can production, indecipherable South London slang, and lyrical nods to suicide bombers, it brought the woman who records under the name M.I.A. unexpected mainstream success--she followed its release by touring North America with Gwen Stefani and recording with Missy Elliott and Timbaland, while the single "Galang" made its way into a car commercial. Kala (the first release was named after her freedom-fighting father, this one after her mother) throws Arulpragasam's newfound pop credentials into the bustle of Bollywood rhythms, police sirens, 8-bit dancehall beats, Third World car horns, and street singers. Recorded across several continents, it presents a far more dynamic listening experience than her first album, especially with tracks like "Bamboo Banga," "Jimmy," and "Paper Planes." It's no less exhausting, though. What with the New Order sample, Timbaland cameo, and gunshot sound effects, there isn't a moment when it doesn't feel like you've unintentionally invited an entire carnival into your home. --Aidin Vaziri

Customer Reviews

Kala... (3.5)
M.I.A.'s sophomore album "Kala" continues some of what people knew her to be during the first album. This is still dance stuff, filled with certain samples that range from monotonous to interesting, with all kinds of tracks. And what separates her from many at times is the bigger use of world/tribal sounds at times. I am not as big on this album as others but it doesn't mean that they're wrong or anything.

The "low" (for some) rating has more to do with it being a mixed bag for my money than anything else. It's an album where a lot of the more listenable moments come later rather than in the first half. "Paper Planes" is understandably the hit here, with a sample of the Clash's guitars and awesome gunshots used in the chorus. The sound effects actually turn out clever, way more interesting than what you'd hear on a lot of hip-hop records. Add that with the Timbaland production "Come Around" and you get a nice two-punch for the album. It's probably more streamlined sounding than the rest of the record, although since she intended to enlist him the record would have perhaps sounded more like this. However, the end result is probably a lot more unique. You gotta dig the synths on "XR2" as well as it's catchy lyrics. For me it's like this album's "Bucky". But there's good enough songs at the first half, like "Hussel" which uses the tribal beat thing to a good measure. "Bamboo Banga" is a nice way to kick off the album.

There's some stuff I don't really like all that much, like the many guests (kids, in particular) rapping on "Mango Pickle Down River," which lacks a lot of direction, but I suppose this remix was intended for the album's use. If there's a track I skip here it's probably this one. It's an unpopular opinion but I'm not really big on the whole with the kind of redundant ideas on "Boyz" and "Bird Flu" which kind of give me a headache after three minutes or so. Some people like those, just not myself. And some stuff is kind of just there. I like that she interpolated "Where Is My Mind" for a song but unforunately that song ("20 Dollar") is kind of boring.

It is sold pretty cheap so even if you hate it there wouldn't be too big a fuss for getting it. And I do recommend "Kala" on the whole. For me it doesn't always hit but sometimes it does, and enough to keep your attention.

yeah, no.
loved Arular, listened to it a hundred times easily. full of hooks and attitude, lots of energy, very original to my ears. This album feels like outtakes, or an imitator. I guess she believed the hype and lost her scruffiness. Don't believe me, listen to the samples here. The Timbaland track is ok, but I'm not going to play it again. the rest of it, totally forgettable.

M.I.A.- Kala
This album is solid and is unique because there is not a particular style that the songs follow but each song is good.