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
This rating is subject to change at any time, for any reason... I'm intrigued. I have put myself into the position of responsibility to purchase a wide range of music that I might not otherwise be familiar with, and Kala is just such a purchase.
Quite honestly, I love her accent, and I love her quirky sense of style and artistic chaos. And that translates to the music. The irony being that the music is so "happy" and up-beat, and contrary to the opinion of another (obviously rhythmically challenged) reviewer, it is incredibly dance-able. In fact, if you do not move, then you either detest the music, or you have no sense of rhythm.
From the perspective of a musician and a bit of a "purist", the concept of sampling is a turn-off to me. However, when looking at the genius of such artists as John Cage (love him or hate him, he was groundbreaking, and the real father of techno-beats) and other such innovators, I can appreciate someone who can take a wide range of sounds and styles and incorporate them all into one place (this album). Of course, it is a bit chaotic, but I think that's exactly what M.I.A. had in mind (have you SEEN her wardrobe?). She wants you to think. She doesn't care if you like it or not, she is more interested in getting a reaction... mission accomplished.
The Timbland track was just a marketing trick to get more exposure... genius, sweetie! She put it at the end, so it has no real affect on the overall feeling of the album, and still the name of the US artist will bring more people to her music.
Despite the concern that she was unable to spend time in the US working on this album, I think that was actually one of the best things that happened to her in this case. Had she come here, the sound would have been diluted and made entirely too common. Instead, we have originality.
No bones about it, girl can't sing. But she's not marketing herself as a singer, but as a musical artist. She is able to create tracks using the tools available, and not being a musician to speak of, she simply takes existing sounds and arranges them into a tapestry of sound that is jarring, pleasant, irritating and endearing all at the same time!
This is a study in sound variations. Good job!
It's okay, BUT - if you like this type of music then I think that you might like Crystal Castles better. I think the beats are much better, the vocals are more interesting and the creativity is just, overall, stronger.
ALSO - CC is on a non-RIAA label. If that matters to you. It does to me.
Groundbreaking? Fresh New Artist to Hit The Scene? NO! MIA has seemed to get a lot of publicity by magazines and by Amazon, so I thought I check it out. I consider myself to be diverse in most music, so I always try to give some modern pop/hip hop a fair chance. Most of it might wind up in my garbage can, but that is besides the point. I have to admit some of MIA material is somewhat catchy, and that is the only reason that I gave it two stars, but folks, this has been done before. I dont understand where this is ground-breaking. Am I missing something? This is pretty much sampling over synthisised vocal, which is fine, but its not something that hasnt been done before. As a fan of Electronica, I can tell you that this has been done, and it was done over 15yrs ago when Techno become more complex and starting using more then just a four on the floor beat. Juno Reactor, Plastikman, Orbital, Meet Beat Manifesto, are just some old-school electronica acts that incoporated beats and vocal into a mish-mosh of chopped up blips and bleerps. Even the Prodigy who some of you might remember from the late 90's when they finally broke into the world of pop (but they were together since 91 when Experience was wrote, and released in 92)used some of this format. Some catchy stuff? sure, is it very good? not really. I will listen to fifty different electronica artist before I come back to this, as some of it is just to damn poppy and absurd.
Fresh, new, invigorating This cd is great. It's fresh, new, invigorating, original, and fun. Personally, I love it for upbeat workout music. If you like M.I.A., check out Santogold as well.
Crappy Beat Music I hate that first of all, she had to sample The Clash and everytime they play her song on the radio, I think it is The Clash. This is really nothing more than crappy beat music. People seem to rave about it and I cannot understand why. The lyrics are not great, the background music is not original or anything.
I am a huge music fan and historian, and MIA is one of the most overrated artists of the new age. I respect her and her art, but just because you love music does not mean you can make it worth a darn. I am living proof of that. Haha.
Anything Goes Trivia
Trevor
Megaton Man
