Arular - M.I.A.

Advantages: Original, ethnic, Mercury Music Award Nominated
Disadvantages: None

This is he debut album of the Sri-Lankan refugee/Mitcham housing estate artist. Her uniquie background clearly influences her music, that can only be described as a mix of rap, ethnic beats, dancehall and hip-hop. Through this ecclectic mix her style emerges and stand out tracks such as 'Sunshowers' and 'Bucky Done Gun' prove that she is destined for great things. Already an underground sensation and critical success M.I.A. proved to be an amazing ...
...USA where she is forming a very loyal fanbase. The tracklisting is as follows: 1. Banana Skit - First of the skits, made up of beats and the odd chant of banana. This is a preview to what you are going to be getting. It mentions her refugee status and the fact that you will be educated on this album. 2. Pull Up The People - This is an anthem for the rebels and poor. It is a revoltuionary track for the poor with the mentions of her bombs for the ... Read review

Advantages: Up beat and fascinating
Disadvantages: not an easy listen.

I'm going to put my neck on the block here and say that, in my opinion, this album should have won the Mercury Music Prize. But please, wait before you being to start throwing rotten tomatoes and dead animals and things at me! I know that, for a lot of people, either the Kaiser Chiefs or Maximo Park should've won, but please allow me to explain myself. Where as Kaiser Chiefs is like bad Blur mixed with SpiceGirl-Kinks, MIA is like nothing else. Looking ...
...And do not even get me started on Hard-Fi. If I were forced to make a comparison I would, perhaps, liken this album to Original Pirate Material mixed with I-don't-know-what. MIA sounds like she has something to talk about, and she does it very well, surrounding her sparkling lyrics with simple, but effective beats. Check out 'Hombre' or 'Bucky Done Gun' for the album's highlights. If you like edgy hip-hop and un-saturated bare aggressive music then ... Read review