Track Listing

1. Ba-na-na Skit
2. Pull Up The People
3. Bucky Done Gun
4. Sunshowers
5. Fire, Fire
6. Dash The Curry Skit
7. Amazon
8. Bingo
9. Hombre
10. One For The Head Skit
11. 10 Dollar
12. URAQT
13. Galang

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #7084 in Music
• Released on: 2005-05-17
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Explicit Lyrics

Amazon.com
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

Customer Reviews

Three Stages of Acceptance
When I first heard of M.I.A. through word of mouth and anticipating articles, I sort of formed this opinion of this interesting, yet ultimately disappointing electronic outfit.

I listened to the single, "Galang" and was very put off.

So...don't ask me why I decided to buy Arular when I found it had placed #2 on my store's top 10 dance albums. *Something* compelled me. So as I took it home and listened to it, I found I was seriously not in the mood for it. I wanted something melodic, and this album is anything BUT melodic. On top of that, her accent and the amount of violence really made me worry that I wasted my money.

Yet I found I couldn't put it away. It constantly finds it's way on my stereo, and then I started really listening to the tracks, and I found that I really do love this CD. It's seductive, it's sleek, it's sexy, and it's BLUNT. Another reviewer put it perfectly about the artist post 9/11. The first skit, "Banana Skit" had me captivated simply by the use of beats. That she's teaching us how to pronounce Banana only makes it better. "Pull Up The People" had a driving and seductive beat with an extremely relevant message. Actually I believe her entire album has a great message.

Bucky Done Gun uses a weird horn sample during the song which I actually can't wait to hear whenever I listen to the music.

All of the songs share the inventiveness, creativity, and desperation of an artist craving to express herself. This album isn't for everyone, but it should be.

Spectacular Arular
this album is great! its refreshing to discover a strong female artist who's unwilling to use her sexuality to sell records. think about it, there are really very few out there who aren't shaking their [...] to hide that they have no real talent. heck, i can drop it like its hot, it don't mean a thang. so i heard "galang" about a year ago and was blown away - awesome! i had to have the album so i scooped it up and from the first "ba-na-na" i was hooked. MIA throws down great lyrics, rapping, singing, chanting. really fun stuff, despite the content at times. i don't know that this album is appropriate for kids, but nowadays not much is. MIA's association with the Tamil Tigers (her father is/was a member) seems to be a basis for much of her writing and there is a fair amount of violence. MTV refused to play the "sunshowers" video because of her reference to the PLO. and MIA would not edit the track, except to remove an F-bomb or two. good for her!!! no compromise! so the album is full of gritty beats, danceable and interesting. Diplo mixed and if you are a fan, i recommend getting your hands on the ultra-rare "piracy funds terrorism" - (re)mixes mostly by Diplo of Arular songs and a TON of extras. "pop" and "ladykiller" are worth it alone. but back to Arular - if you're into strong ladies, socially conscious lyrics and funky beats, check it out. my fave songs include "sunshowers" "fire fire" and "amazon."

Captivated by Arular
My 10 year old daughter and my 61 year old butt can't get enough of Arular. Masterfully edited - as tight and rich as the Beatles at their peak. The dad loves the mechanical electronic aspects. The girl has to sing along with the singsong poetry and just dance to it.

Maya's voice is awesome. My brother's reaction was that he doesn't like foreigh sounding funny voices in his music, so this isn't for everyone. But it's not just for open minded college students. This is the real thing. This is a most favored treat in our huge and eclectic music collection.

As with other reviewers, we, too, are put off by the violent images, but for us it has the authentic feel of a window into the revolutionary third world.