Reviews (page 7 of 8)
A bit messy, not really my thing tbh but can appreciate it, Paper Planes is obviously a massive tune and didn’t realise til a good while after that it sampled The Clash
So I recognized Paper Planes, but even the recollection of the song as a popular single wasn’t enough to connect with. A lot of the experimental soundscapes seemed like different instruments that couldn’t improve upon a boring composition. The lyrics were forgettable and the delivery wasn’t great. 2/5.
Paper Planes is an all time lighting in the bottle hit.
Big hit single when it came out, great for its time, but now sounds boring almost a decade later. Others do Asian influenced pop better (Talvin Singh, Asian Dub Foundation etc). This is mid.
I was shocked this was on the list. It's ok, I didn't mind it in the background, but wouldn't go back and listen more. There were some high spots - I liked the little kids rapping that was cool to see, and some of the themes were interesting just because they are so foreign to me here in the US.
Welcome back, Alex. We're in a tough stretch of albums right now, this one included. Some times I wish I knew the criteria to be on this list or is it just a random pull? Whatever. This album really didn't do much for me as the dance/electronica genre is mostly annoying to this listener. But man, I loved the song Paper Planes. Immediately added to my list of favorites songs from this site. Great tune. Jimmy and Come Around were decent enough, but the rest was, well, not very good. Going with a 2.5 for Paper Planes. Not rounding up. Looking for the next big "surprise" album. Hopefully something this week. 2.5
2.5 I’m writing this review with intense COVID brain, so apologies for any incoherency. Anyway, everyone knows Paper Planes is a certified classic, but I didn’t realize that M.I.A. had more to her credit than that. I guess this was a pretty critically acclaimed release though, with professional music critic/asshole Robert Christgau - a dude whose opinions seem to be on the Wikipedia page of quite possibly every album we’ve seen so far - even calling it the best album of the 21st century. Yeah, not hearing that. I’ll certainly give the album credit for its unique beats, a lot which seem to have taken influence from the local music of various Eastern countries (African and South Asian especially), but the end result for me basically teeters back and forth between “decent” and “the most annoying thing I’ve ever heard in my life”. There’s definitely a certain charm to the music, especially as things kick off with Bamboo Banga, but it’s run pretty thin by somewhere around the time M.I.A. starts asking where you were in ‘92 (I was -5). Her take on Pixies with 20 Dollar is somewhat novel and something I have to touch upon as a fan, but it’s totally easy to miss - I didn’t even pick up on it until three or four listens in. Fortunately, this thing is largely saved by Paper Planes. It’s an absolutely great pop track by all accounts, and while The Clash certainly deserve credit for it’s foundation, I can’t deny how great of a job M.I.A. did of building upon it (though Straight to Hell is also a certifiable banger). On paper, the gunshots and cash register sound effects feel like they should come off as corny, but the whole thing is so damn catchy that you can’t help but want to send your finger to the air in time with the bullets. Needless to say, far and away the highlight of the album, and its end placement almost feels genius in the sense that it gives you something to look forward to. With one great song, a handful of decent ones, and quite a few stinkers, I think I’m going to land in the middle with my album rating here. I don’t know if she ever went on to do much after this, but I do know she torpedoed her career a bit with anti-vax rhetoric and a Donald Trump endorsement, so I’m not overly eager to check it out.
not as bad as I expected. electronica + hip hop + Hiphopnica
Ningún interés. Mezcla de??
A little too experimental for my tastes, trying to sound unpleasant for a lot of it. Paper Planes is the only one that’s listenable, but it’s more suited for background on commercials or TikToks than actual listening
Album 1 Star Paper planes 1 Stars
This really was not for me
A lot of interesting sounds and samples but the songs take so much time to develop they end up being too long.
Hrm. OK, see, here's the thing: ARULAR was obnoxious. Incredibly so. That's what my review on this website of the album was about, and thinking back, it's really the only thing I can remember (besides "g'lang-a-lang-alang"). Despite that, however, I never found myself crossing over into annoyance at it. For sure, I got close a few times, but at the end of the day, I kind of just recognized that this was thing and I hadda accept it. KALA ended up being a different story. On the whole, I actually found it a whole lot less obnoxious than ARULAR. Although, as a result... I was kind of bored by the whole experience? Perhaps it's because M.I.A.'s whole "world music dance hall," "nasal monotone voice" thing isn't as shocking as it was the first time? Honestly, as much as I know I should, I can't muster up enough of a hoot to actually check. Hell, I don't even care enough to interrogate the thought I kept having throughout that it felt like big critics go gaga over this kind of music specifically because it's obnoxious on purpose (I **really** can't see what Robert Christgeau saw in this). Frankly, the only song I really paid any attention to was the big single, "Paper Planes", and that's just because, instrumentally, it remindedme of Post Malone's "Sunflower". And maybe I recognized a vocal performance from a mashup? But otherwise... Like, y'know, some part of me wants to be generous and give this thing the same 3 I gave ARULAR. M.I.A. doesn't **deserve** that kind of generosity, but that's besides the point. I could slap it with a "maybe it'd go off better in the club" and use that as the justification, 'cuz I really don't hear how it's any better or worse than ARULAR. But let's not underesimate how damn uninterested I was in this album. I hear this kind of beat work on the last album, I heard these nasally monotone vocals on the last album... For sure, there's something about this album that I'm missing. Something in its conception, or just some "media literacy" intepretation that'd make me like it a lot more. I just really don't care, though. Lemme jus' cross this shit off with a 2 and never hafta think about this damn anti-vaxxer ever again.
2.5/5⭐️ Paper Planes is a banger, Pixies cover is shit, rest is super mediocre/forgettable. And why are all these songs so long?
Can admire the ambition here, wide range of influences. Ultimately though I just didn't enjoy it.
We let her get away with too much because of an accent and good production.
- a star because she endorsed Trump
Paper planes is the only thing really worth it. Waste of time outside of that
I listened to this and forgot to rate. It’s cool to hear the fusion of hip hop and eastern sounds but overall not something I return to outside the 2-3 times of year I hear paper planes in public or on the radio. 2.5 rounded down because weirdo
Paper Planes was probably the only MIA song I knew before this album and though I enjoy that song and that vibe, the rest of the album just sounded like a lot of the same and just not as good.
Das Album versucht, eine einzigartige Mischung aus Techno, afrikanischen Klängen, ABBA-Beats und Hip-Hop zu präsentieren. Leider wirkt das Album insgesamt unrund und kann nicht wirklich überzeugen. Der einzige Lichtblick ist der Track “Jimmy”, der stark an ABBAs “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!” erinnert und zumindest etwas Begeisterung weckt. Die restlichen Songs, wie “Mango Pickle Down River” und “World Town”, sind jedoch enttäuschend und erreichen nicht das gewünschte Niveau. Musikalisch bietet “Kala” eine interessante Vielfalt an Einflüssen, die jedoch oft nicht harmonisch zusammenfinden. Die Techno-Elemente wirken manchmal fehl am Platz, während die afrikanischen Rhythmen und Hip-Hop-Beats nicht immer gut integriert sind. Der Versuch, verschiedene Genres zu kombinieren, führt leider zu einem unausgewogenen Hörerlebnis.
nothing horribly wrong, i'm just not very interested in that kinda music...
Just interesting enough for 2 stars or D+.
Like the various world rhythms & some of the samples. But somebody sing something.
Not MIAs best album but its the one with Paper Planes…
Started off hating this. Then I quite liked the Mango Pickle Down River. Then I continued hating this. The didgeridoo saved this from being a 1.
Hey, this one has Paper Planes the song that's kinda good because it borrows from Straight To Hell. Otherwise this album is just as meh as the other M.I.A. album on this list. Please let there only be 2.
Extra star for how big of a hit Paper Planes was, but not a great record overall.
Was just okay. Some beats are pretty good, but there's nothing here I must listen to again. 2/5
I want to like this, as a more abrasive Gorillaz, and there's a lot to admire. But it's hard work. Her voice is not that expressive, in a presumably deliberately monotone, and her DIY beats and samples don't often result in memorable moments. Having said all that, I may be too old to get it.
Not for me
Never heard of this before at all. Very novel Pixies half cover on 20 Dollar kind of summed this all up really. It’s so abrasive challenging it kinda feels like a pixies/pj Harvey/albini vibe in the hip hop genre. There’s something about it I like but I’m not sure exactly what, however, there’s not one song that really nails it, or at least not on Day 1 listen. Suspect I may listen again, perhaps a grower, but not a high score for now.
deep bass beats and cool rhymes. Don't love her voice, but yes Paper Planes is dope (even tho the beat is ripped from The Clash)
Had some moments.. But just a few.
Strange and all over the place..
5/8/24. Familiar with M.I.A. and admittedly have never listened to this album, only the radio track Paper Planes. After an initial listen, it was just okay. Perhaps I should listen again in the future, but didn't vibe with it. Thought a lot of the songs were a bit boring.
Yet another album where the famous single is vastly different to the rest of the album. paper planes: 4/5, the rest: 2/4. Makes... 2.166666
mucha variedad de estilos, ritmos y sonidos. Me gustan la combinacion de muchos sonidos, pero no hay correlacion ni orden, no se lo que intenta trasmitir con ellos mucho pontecial pero la ejecucion es mala
I thought MIA was supposed to be good and interesting...
Look, I get it. It's a Sri Lankan fusion of rap and world music and that was new and unique, but man, this is pretty jarring. I feel like this album could be played by militaries to torture prisoners. It's just so noisy and busy in all the worst ways. For the sole reason that Paper Planes is a banger I'll give it a 3/10 (1.5/5)
This gets real annoying real fast. Only saved by Paper Planes.
2- Stars (4/15)
Perennial example of an album included because of one massive track. plenty of these from the 80s and 90s too - this is just unlistenable nonsense, but an extra star for that massive song
Not sure what the big deal is with this record apart from having Paper Planes on it. Interesting use of sound effects as beats, but that's nothing new. Maybe I'm biased against MIA since it's hard to separate the art from the artist for me here.
Not great but 1 good song
Not sure
not for me
Probably more deserving than many to be on this list because of the nature of the album and the artist but still not something that I would willingly put on again
This was hard for me to listen to, I made it through 3 songs .. 2 stars
It was difficult to get through it. Paper planes is the most recognizable song and carries the album. The others were ok. Not sure I want to listen to those other songs again.
It has its moments, mostly near the end of the album. But mostly it's an irritatingly repetitive listen.
there's some pretty good stuff in here, some interesting mash ups of different genres, but i find most of it too irritating to really appreciate.
Not my cup of tea.
paper planes and come around are the only songs that are tolerable everything else is just not for me 2.5 little tired of albums very obviously being chosen to get me to listen to a single song, don't think whoever chose this album knew a single song outside of paper planes on here
Sound of an era but kinda ass most of the time
It’s a BirdFlu.. It’s a Paper Plane… It’s Mango Banga!!! M.I.A. rapper for vildt. Hendes laidback flow og britisk-srilankanske accent er alt for lækkert. Desværre rapper hun for lidt på pladen. Hun har også nogle vilde samples og får inkorporeret flere asiatiske, og afrikanske rytmer i sine tracks. Men de bliver for ofte til mere gimmick og Dance-rytmer end fede samples og rap. Albummet efterlader mig med tanken om, at Hip-Hop genren har det meget svære end andre genrer med at lave hele albums. For ofte er der for meget fyld, for langt mellem de gode sange og på dette album stod det tydeligt frem hvor perfekt Paper Planes er. For resten var sgu for kedeligt i længden.
I appreciate the different styles and everything going on musically in this album, it’s just not really my personal taste.
Unlistenable
Not a big fan but some of the sounds were interesting.
Get vaccinated kids
I've always more-than-tolerated Paper Planes but I don't dig the shtick in the space of an entire album. This was unfortunately kind of tedious for me.
Experimental, but rarely in a good way. It has certain interesting moments, but not enough to make up for it being full of hiphop-clichés and annoying synths. Could have been a 3, if it hasn’t been for the obvious mismatch between the album and the to last hits that seems to have been put there to save a risky project
I want to like this- I don't.
I feel like my ears are being given a fast and furious movie soundtrack, but written by a specific person, instead of a group of artists. And instead of car sounds, it is random sounds and instruments. Creative but not for me. I also understand why Paper Planes was the 1 song to make it out of this album and I was not a fan of that song when it released either.
Wachten op airplanes die dan wel extra lekker luistert de rest is echt niet om aan te horen
It's just noise. Not good noise.
First couple of tracks were somewhat interesting. But then, no. Could not finish it.
2/5
Not my kind of music.
No.
Ik weet dat een zekere Xander77 hier keihard op ging, maar ik vind het gewoon ronduit irritant!
Thought I'd love it. I Love Paper Planes. I did not love it.
Paper planes is good. That’s all.
1.75 for paper planes. the rest is a dirty asshole filled with maggot rich hot garbage. also, paper planes isn't that great either. no offense.
Paper planes is a great song, the vast majority of the other songs are straight up booty cheeks. Offense taken.
Not very good. Obnoxious throwaway lyrics, beats sound like they were made with Fisher Price beat machine by a 12 year old girl.
bamboo banga was interesting birdflu had chicken noises in it... in general not my vibe, can't listen the whole thing again...
pass
Cool, interesting sounds just kinda dated
3 good songs rip
Hadn’t heard this one in years. A unique sounding record and some of its cool but I had a hard time listening to her singing/ rapping for an entire album.
I thought this was boring as hell. Paper planes is ok but the rest of this album didn’t do it for me. Honestly maybe deserves a 1 but after fat boy slim and the avalanches I guess my bar is low
An extra star for having vocals and Paper Planes is catchy. Otherwise I found all the songs annoying.
When I saw this album tagged as Hip-Hop and electronica, I was worried. I One comment in the Wikipedia article called it “both a party album and a progressive aural assault”. Yay? It seems more electronica/pop than hip hop, though. Each song is repetitive. Very, VERY repetitive. Musically and lyrically. Which makes some sense as dance music, but doesn’t keep my interest. The more hip-hoppy party’s still have that dance feel, and the lyrics aren’t angry and “explicit”…. Just repetitive and dumb. It seems to pick up and hint at several world musical styles, hints of Bollywood stylings, African rhythms, etc. This actually works pretty well, and provides interest where lyrics and soundscape don’t. Nothing I’ll want to hear again, but I can kinda get where it is coming from. I’ll go 2/5, but just barely.
Techno pop. Not my style. First song killed the album for me
Most songs: Mama Mia, this is as boring and it gets in love, Get out of here!. Few: fun weird rhythms like in The Turn ans singing as in the catchy Paper Planes. Overall: can't be bothered
Sometimes sounds like Die Antwoord, but worse. Sometimes sounds obnoxious, sometimes kind of cool, most of the time simply not my taste.
If you told me that the album that gave the world paper planes was one of the top 1001 albums that I needed to hear before I died. I would have told you that you were wrong. I would have been right.
2 bBumpin but not my cuppa tea
Modern African, not really my cup of tea. Liked about 3 songs on this album.
I didn't like the first song "Bamboo Banga" and it didn't get better until Paper Planes which is the penultimate song. I can't really recommend this album to anyone.
Tf is this
Pretty awful
Overrated artist, good production bland content
2.5, couple of good jams on this but not enough to maintain interest for the entire album.
I can't say I enjoyed most of this album from the way it sounded but I see her style
Didn't grab me at all until Jimmy. Tough to get through some tracks. ** for Jimmy and Paper Planes.
Boy these songs sure are repetitive
nope
I really did think I would like this more... I remember listening to it a bit when it came out, but revisiting it now, I find it irritating. I think it can't decide what it wants to be. Is it it dance music? I think DJ/Uproot does something in the same vein much better. To be fair, I did enjoy seeing M.I.A. live... but can't give bonus points for that, right?
Not something I particularly enjoyed.
Not my style
I like Paper Planes - you know the Clash connection helps...a lot. The rest of the album mostly meh! Jimmy is a good song, 20 dollar with the Pixies lyric also caught my ear. Overall can't see giving more than 2.5 stars
Paper planes was a fun trip back to being student scum but other than that
Paper Planes is the only decent song. Everything else is just very irritating noises and words on repeat. Shame
ok then, that's fine. thanks for that. ok. bye now.
Crazy sounds. It was definitely different which is good but didn't like it
Disappointing. I really only knew Paper Planes going in, and I was hoping the rest of the album would be a worldly electronic vibe. It got worldly and electronic, but vibes were few, Did think the kids rapping was cute though. Not my style but not bad. Enjoyed the clear influence of travel and world sounds on the album
Very percussive and repetitive, very little else going on. It's not just your typical hip hop percussion, but also some exotic samples. I guess that's why it's on the list. Fine. It's just not for me. Favorite song: the turn
Despite sampling the Pixies and the Clash, this didn't click with me. Too much autotune.
Some of the vocals are auto-tuned - that's pretty bad for a rap artist. I get it if you want the special effect that auto-tune can provide - a sort of digital, computerized sound; however, auto-tune is used so consistently throughout the album that it makes you wonder why she just didn't go ahead and take singing/rapping lessons. It's too bad - I like "Paper Planes" and I appreciate the "world music" influence.
Some interesting samples and loops but her voice really irritates me and I couldn’t really properly finish the record. Paper planes Is the best song here by far
I mean, Paper Planes had its moment in the spotlight, but is anything else here really worth listening to? I don't think so. A singular one-hit wonder from the late aughts does not an iconic album make. Sorry, but bitch, you basic. Oh gosh, got into some googling and I see it's also M.I.A.s birthday today. What a horrible old witch I am to give her a bad review on her birthday LOL. Oh well, I said what I said and I listened thoroughly. I think her 15 minutes of fame were up a long time ago and this doesn't make a lasting cultural impression on me. *shrug*
Now, the big track here is bone fide mint but all the other tracks are just weaker tracks of the same style
I like Paper Planes, but outside of that, this is not my bag. I find the story of the album interesting and the use of all types of instruments and rhythms from different cultures really cool, it is a fascinating and well made album, but the droning of many of the tracks made it less enjoyable for me. I think some of the other tracks could have benefited from catchier hooks and attention grabbing sounds like the gun-shot/cash register part of Paper Planes. There were a few samples from Bollywood early on but I found them to be pretty understated and I think amping that up could have helped as well.
Nothing to write home about.
Some interesting fusion music, but she's just an idiot trying to sound deeper than she is.
So outside of "Paper Planes" and "Jimmy", the rest of this album is unlistenable. It's funny, I remember "Paper Planes" coming out and wondered for a little while why MIA wasn't releasing more music or appearing with other artists since then. Having listened to the bullshit on this album I understand why. 3/10.
Only 1.5 songs were good. The rest was absolute trash. Paper Planes carried this whole album.
not great by most standards, paper planes saves this from being a one
MIA is excellent at creating interesting tracks. The music is fresh and includes unique accoutrements. The rap and lyrics are unfortunately boring and the flow is weak. Paper planes is a cool song but doesn’t save this album for me.
It's like if Lorde and Akon had a love child and that love child turned out to be tone deaf. The best part of this album was when my AirPods wouldn't connect for a whole minute and I thought the first song started with a moment of silence. Paper Planes and Jimmy saved this from oblivion.
Mid album, bangers and clangers, meaning the songs are either awesome or possum. I can’t envision the group liking this very much.
Fun! Classic.
Hip-hop being hip-hop. The background tracks are unsually dance/electronica-oriented for the genre, but that can hardly save anything. 1.5/5
lpm había escrito una review buena pero se borró.. la idea era q hay demasiados sonidos y siento que la mina podría parar de cantar en algún momento, ya que muchas veces tapa los instrumentos. No estuvo mal igual. 5/10
Hip-hop feeling, some singing but focused on rhythmic instrumentals
This album sounds effortless. Like less effort…
Kala flirted between stuff I found interesting and stuff I hated. More of the latter than the former, so 2.
Not for me. Sounds a bit quirky, and not much like almost anything we've had on here, but it doesn't do it for me, it's a bit too raw and doesn't have enough to really hook me in the way that Paper Planes does. 2/5.
I really love one track, paper planes, but the rest of the album is a solid meh. And its worth noting that paper planes is mostly a banger because of the Clash sample. Its a little complicated, as I'm a big fan and proponent of anti-establishment music in general, and MIA does a good job of bringing attention to some things that are otherwise ignored. But the trouble is the album is derivative and not that great. 2/5
Thank the Lord for "Paper Planes" as the rest of this is rubbish.
Paper Planes is the only redeeming song on this album. The rest is very weird and loud to the point where it feels more like an art statement than something that’s actually listenable.
Not really my cup of tea. Surprised myself though by actually listening to the whole thing, was expecting to want to turn it off after a few songs when I saw the cover+genres.
Interesting sounds. Paper planes ok. Did not like
Definitely an interesting listen. Not really for me for the most part. Though, paper planes will forever slap. Spotify listening numbers confirmed.
For me this is one of the best progrock albums ever.
Good for what it is, but definitely not for me.
There are some decent repetitive beats in here that are hard not to enjoy but that's not enough. Too synthetic and busy, but I suppose quite unique I'd heard a few songs on the radio on the past, which are catchy enough but would never choose to listen to this. The pixies lyrics in 20 dollar were particularly grating. Would not go back Timberland in "come around"was probably the best bit and that's saying something
Metto due stelle perché in fondo l’album non è interamente da cestinare. Ma le uniche canzoni che si salvano sono Jimmy e Paper Planes (quest’ultima la conoscevo solo perché usata da Neil Cicierega).
Vocals were too nasal and shrill and the songs too repetitive for my taste
Cool beats but repetitive to the point of annoyance.
Too repetitive, did not really enjoy.
Not really my cup of tea tbh.
Uninspiring lyrics, whiny vocals over a generic edm beat. Hussel and come around are catchy songs, but overall pretty amateur album.
Not for me
Crap, that's all!
不喜欢这个专辑，72年出生的音乐爱好者
Songs I liked: Jimmy 20 Dollar World Town XR2 Paper Planes
One hit wonder..
Respect it but not my thing
I wasn't super into it but I appreciated the pop/hip-hop sound combined with Indian influences.
2.5/5 Pretty good. One classic and the rest are fine….
doesn't get a 1 because paper planes is a bop
This album didn't really do much for me. Probably on this list because of the one song that's really popular.
I had to wade through almost an hour of boring indulgence before I got to "Paper Planes," and even that song is basically a cover.
Unique sounds, with what seemed like Bollywood and African influences. It did get a bit tiring. Don't think I would put it on again, but was an interesting listen.
This is a unique sound for sure. And for a short while I can appreciate it. One song, maybe two, then I get annoyed. I can barely understand what is being said, which is probably my fault. Except half the time I can’t tell what language it is. Reading the lyrics it’s English, but it’s difficult to hear. If this sound were one or two tracks in another electronic album, I could dig it as a good change of pace. However, all stacked together it ends up being cacophonous.
Un disco al que le he faltado algo de presencia. Solo algún tema que me ha gustado especialmente. La sensación de que es un disco más del montón. Ritmos bailables, pero sin nada nuevo
I didn't enjoy this album. I found it to be mostly annoying. I found the last 2 tracks to be catchy but that's about it.
Not a big fan of this-too marching band! Kept making me think of that dumb ass Gwen Stefani song w/ b a n a n a s in her dumb ass baby voice. Last 1/2 of the album was more bearable. I actually liked Mango Pickle Down River, Paper Planes makes me think fondly of Pineapple Express & Come Around w/ Timbaland was all right too.
2.5, jedna dobra piosenka, nie mój gust
Brilliant in snippets, something just didn't click for me
Porquería sintética. Hip hop.
Maybe a little bit innovative for '07, but must confess that the beat kind of oversaturated me. I don't know but I was exhausted of it by track 4. I liked her references to Pixies and The Clash in the coolest songs of the record, and also the Iron Maiden typography on the cover; however, in general terms, think that I do not feel as positive to it as I wanted. I tried, but did not happen
The other reviews are correct, the first half of this album is kinda trash. Has a couple of redeeming tracks afterwards.
I like a few songs on this album but find the rest pretty hard to listen to. in some sense it feels like it dates itself badly.
Should be 1, but Paper Planes was a banger in college
Kinda disappointing. Paper planes was okay, but the rest of the album was so bland
Yeah nah. Interesting layering of beats and snippets of other songs, but overall feel is like a toddler playing with the demo features on a Casio keyboard.
There are two, maybe three good tracks on this; 20 Dollar, Paper Planes and Come Around. The rest is bollocks.
This is not really my preferred kind of music but there are some catchy tunes and Paper Planes is a banger
4/10. They talk very Bri'ish loike. I liked XR2, Paper Planes would have been good if I hadn't heard it so many damn times on the radio. But most of the songs I was not a big fan of, and the runtime exaggerated this.
Eh... En ole yhtyeeseen aiemmin tutustunut, mutta muistelen, että tämä M.I.A. olisi jossain kohtaa ollut kovinkin suosittu ja odotettu esiintyjä festareille tms. Tämän levyn perusteella en oikein ymmärrä miksi. Jotain originelliä tässä on yritelty, mutta itse en oikein saanut mitään irti tästä sekoituksesta. Maailmanmusiikkia, räppiä ja rumpukomppi- ja konemusiikkikikkailua.
The only banger on this album is Paper Planes. Every track on this thing was like "jesus, what am i listening to"
Expected to love this but only Paper Planes was good. Banger for a reason. Was I meant to like this? Found it largely quite irritating.
Hittibiisi oli ennestään tuttu ja koko levyn pliisuin biisi samalla. Jos ei tietäisi artistia niin voisi luulla vaikka Yolandi Visserin (kehnoksi) solo-levyksi.
Toka vika, Paper Planes oli hauska ja tuttukin. Ainoa syy miks levy saanu huomioo? Ei mitenkään kuulu tälle listalle.
Aside from Paper Planes, this album was a dud for me.
One great song, not a great album…
the first song is AWFUL. i can see the innovation in the album, like i think its unique and interesting, but its just not really my thing. its super unrelaxing, and most of the songs never really settle into a rhythm. paper planes and that one with timbaland are great songs though. paper planes especially is such a good song but overall the album just isnt my thing
Interesting album. The best song on the album is, of course, Paper Planes. It is one of the best songs of the decade. Other than that, I don't find much of the rest really appeals to me.
The difficulty here was deciding between 1 and 2 stars. Really not my thing.
Not for me
Did not enjoy.
Paper Planes is a great song. I can't stand the vocals in the other tracks though.
Africka hudba, hiphopove rytmicke tanecne
This is a hip hop album with influences ranging from rave music to disco to indie pop. The sounds on this album---a lot of percussion and synths---are abrasive. They seem to say "if you don't get it, if you're not in the in-group, you can f*** off right off." There were some sounds I liked throught: some traditional hand drums, some whiny out-of-tune synths. But overall, it wasn't a pleasant experience for my ears. The single from this album that everyone and their mother knows, paper planes, sticks out like a sore thumb from the rest of the songs. Not that the album was a particularly coherent whole. It might be clear that I didn't enjoy this album. During the first half, it became clear to me that MIA was trying to do something with this album that is alien to my thoughts about the goals of music. I wouldn't have made... any? of the same choices. The songs dont take you anywhere. It's more like each song drops you into a single, small, uncomfortable room, from which you can't escape for about 3 minutes. The beats and vocals are repetitive and often grinding. I ultimately looked up some of the lyrics to gain more insight into what the heck I was listening to. Themes include partying, drugs, crime, violence, poverty, and racism. There is a lot of anger there, which makes sense of the sonic palette. The second half of the album I enjoyed more, armed with this knowledge. Plus, the songs are a bit more pleasant. The album was sort of academically interesting to me, but I have to admit that I kind of hated listening to it. I guess that means it's not for me anyway, so I can just f*** right off.
Most of the album is very afro-beat hip-hop type. Not too much of a fan of this type of music. The notable exception would be the commercial radio friendly Paper Planes, and I would argue that Come Around also fits this, likely in large part due to their producers (Diplo & Timbaland respectively) Best: Paper Planes, Come Around Worst: BirdFlu, Jimmy 2.5 Stars
Sounds like you’re at a laser light show and the small angry dog next to you is trying to whisper in all simple rhymes
Eh, not for me.
Really wanted to like this but I wasn't all that keen. I already knew Paper Planes (which is probably one of the best songs of the 2000s) and Come Around, the rest of the album went over my head. I really like the context of the album and the themes, but didn't have the best listening experience because it's not really my thing. I can appreciate how well produced this album is though.
Interesting, but I don't think that this was made for me. "Paper Planes" was familiar and is the track closest to getting a repeat listen.
I have to go 2, I could justify a 2.5 even. the back half of the album almost saves it and pushes it to a 3 but I just can't vouch for the first half.
creative, but too trippy
Really creative, super energetic and fun. Wins points for being unique. Loses points for being occasionally hard to listen to.
Salsa!
Not for me. Some good bits, but maybe too many ideas? 'Paper Planes' = 🔥 though.
i think i'd like her but this album wasn't the one to convince me of that
Kala by M.I.A? Who the fuck do you think I am? I'll tell you who I am, I'm *checks username* ... I'm Nigel Spackman. I can't be listening to this garbage, son, I have a reputation to uphold. But here we go... Update: I think it's changed by life. I'm weeping into my Quavers here man.
Overrated.
Not bad, but not something I would regularly listen to.
I wonder if "Paper Planes" wasn't such a smash hit, if this album would have been selected. I've enjoyed her music in moderation but, not being a hip hop fan, a full album is too much, as much as I like the diversons into other types of music . More diversions like the song "Jimmy" would be welcome by me.
Meh
I love Paper Planes, but not really enjoying many of the other songs. Not my thing.
Not horrible but none of it lives up to how dope “Paper Planes” is.
Couple bangers, but this definitely isn't up my alley as an entire album.
Really surprised by this album and not in a good way. Was expecting it to be more like paper planes, which was clearly the standout here. Would have given it a one star if not for that song being on it
2, varios temas son directamente irritantes.
I'd give this an extra star cause paper planes is really good, but this album was soo irritating that I bailed out before I even got there. I've only quit two albums on this list and somehow they are both by this antivax wench. Absolute trash and if you like this then stay the fuck away from me you psycho. -50/10
god awful. unlistenable.
The songs were very monotone - no ups or downs, just constant. No buildup, midpoint or climax like a story.
nope
Experimental and repetitive. Quite annoying. Carried by single standout, paper planes. 2/10
I just dont like this style of music.
Terrible vocals, bad production, unimaginative songs
I did not like this at all.
Bamboo Banga 1 Bird Flu 0.8 Boyz 1.2 Jimmy 1.4 Hussel 1 Mango Pickle Down River 0.7 20 Dollar 1 World Town 0.5 The Turn 0.6 XR2 0.3 Paper Planes 2 Come Around 1.3 Score: 0.983333333
Trash
Lil simz without charisma Or good lyrics Or good beats Or fun Just urgh
Using Iron Maiden letters is a crime. Her "music" is an other one.
To put it lightly, I absolutely hated this.
Inascoltabile
Sounds like something small drunk children make up during a birthday party.
Not my favorite genre. Only listened to one song. Very unique though
This album came out when I was 30. This is the first time listening to it almost 20 years later. I definitely feel like an old person listening to a younger generation’s music. What is this hot mess… I do know “Paper Planes” from party montages in movies.
not even paper planes can save this album
Why is this even on here? In what world did I have to hear this? The decision making on this list sometimes just baffles me
WTF was that? I've seen her on some music shows, and she can actually sing. This - was not that!
From the Vault #14 (February 28, 2026) Ten albums. Ten albums left and I will never have to listen to another one of these hip-hop thingamajigs in my life. The road has been long, arduous and dispiriting, but the end is finally in sight. I listened to M.I.A.'s previous album a good while ago. I rolled it on the list around the time I started writing these pre-written reviews. She seems to have been dealt a favourable hand by the listmakers. "Arular" was removed by the curators in the same revision of the book where they added this album. I'm not sure whether they regretted the inclusion of Arular and wanted to replace it with a better incarnation of this music, if they thought M.I.A. was only deserving of one list album and wanted to make sure it was the best nomination possible or if this whole book thing is a tax write-off and they're lazily shifting albums around to justify getting another one out the door. In any case, this appears to be her definitive and enduring release, so I'm curious to know what it sounds like. More of the same. Who would have thunky-wunky? The aesthetics of the third world are nauseating and horrifying to me. Thirdies just don't understand the value of silence and personal space, like the cities in India where the drivers are honking the everloving shit out of their horns for no reason other than to announce their presence, or the times when you're walking through an ethnic neighbourhood and the local storefronts are plastered to the fucking brim with signage and typography. Silence and the ability to be comfortably left alone with your thoughts appears to be something which disproportionately upsets people of low intelligence and I mean, uh, if we take a look at the global IQ distribution. To tie my racist tirade in the Wendy's parking lot back into my review of this album, it's the object of this very disdain I've discussed. These songs are just so fucking busy and obnoxious. The instrumentals buzz, hiss and spit constantly. There isn't a single second of this album where I'm not being aurally assaulted by the worst electronic loops known to man. There's no space to catch my breath and no depth to any of these tracks as a result. The vocals are shit, which I recall from my time spent with Arular. I probably mentioned it somewhere in my previous review, but the British inflection that native-born browns have is the most aggravating thing in the world to me. It just sounds so aggressively air-headed and vacuous. Overall, this was a bleak listen. I've heard "Paper Planes" before. It's a regular on the Strayan airwaves to this day. It's a decent song, but man if I wasn't put through the fucking wringer in reaching this track. The buzzing, blown out electronic tones and whatever the fuck else take a seat and respectfully linger in the background. The vocals are still irritating, but what really helps this track along is the fact that it features purposeful songwriting. There's a good bit of kick in the vocals as a result, and the gunshot samples add a unique bit of percussion to this track. The song lost me as it went along, but it's decent for what it is. Book time. The vocal samples are a product of M.I.A. traveling around the world and recording them herself. Among the other samples are Pixies, The Clash and Tamil/Bollywood movies. A darker album than its predecessor. Not a commercial success, but was met with widespread critical acclaim. Wikipedia says this album was the best-performing electronic album of 2007 in the US. It charted all across Europe and the West and was on the year-end electronic charts for three years in America. "Paper Planes" was a pretty big deal and also charted all across Europe and the West as a single. I don't know what the book's talking about when it mentions a lack of commercial success - this seems to be a home run relative to where other artists in this genre have placed. The album was also warmly received by critics and has received enduring acclaim. I mean, I hated this album, but these are more-than-solid qualifiers for the list. I cosign this inclusion.
Never listened to MIA, even though I’m aware of her existence. Maybe I’ve heard a song or two or her on another track, but wouldn’t be aware of it. Don’t like the first song. Repetitive dance pop. My guess is this is not going to be for me. I was expecting something more musically interesting. It’s a lot of hard beats and her weird rap singing. It gets a little better after the first few songs, but it’s still not for me. So many songs sounds like the one before it. Really not a fan. Music is a funny thing. This is a critical acclaimed album and she’s a well known global artist. Some people love this. I very much dislike it. Although. I did recognize Paper Planes and do think that’s a good song. Just not for me. Going 1. Paper Planes is fun. Wish it all sounded closer to that.
Paper Planes es la única canción que se salva de ser "mediocre" pero aún así se siente que fue una canción diseñada para tener reproducciones y no ser una canción generada por la artista. Todas las otras canciones son extremadamente olvidables y el primer pensamiento que me vino a la cabeza al terminar el album fue que esta lista no tiene criterio alguno, pusieron los álbumes que quisieron sin fundamento alguno.
Whatever man. I know some people really like this, but it's just annoying to me.
Oh man, so relentlessly annoying. The album really takes off with the song Paper Planes but unfortunately you need to go through 11 songs of non-melodic clap trap to get there. I don’t admit to understand the sound and it does absolutely nothing for me. I think it would work dancing at a rave after a few lines of coke while clutching a bottle of poppers. But as Brian Wilson once wrote , that’s not me.
The album is kinda like the life of a paper plane, a fun idea but tough to land.
This is almost embarrassingly bad. It sounds like a teenager who's not very good at singing has just discovered music editing software and is throwing every idea that pops into their head into every track. I admire the self-confidence to publish something like this though
This album is painfully bad. Like it has absolutely no redeeming qualities. I generally try to find something that I like even in music I hate but I can’t find anything good about this at all. It’s basic, poorly recorded, badly sung, no real instruments, boring electronic beats. It’s really bad. A complete waste of 45 minutes. 1/5
It was forgettable, really. Then I read through some of her turn into conspiracy and fascism and I regretted listening to it.
The single off this album, Paper Planes, is a certified banger. Shame the rest of the album is insufferable
Neneh Cherry with more kit.
Yeah no, Hard 1.
The Good: We should always remember those who are MIA The Bad: Music Is Missing… is what MIA stands for… The Ugly: Finding out that Kala means today, tomorrow, machine, doohickey, and a slew of other words. You guessed it, fail on this album. There are moments, though I’ve forgotten about them already, that for an instance you are thinking that things aren’t that bad… for an instance… I don’t know why this album is on the list… which, it seems, has become a more frequent thought that I am having… yet, over 600 albums into this journey, I should know better than to think that Mr D has anything but my sanity in mind. So, for those of you who’ve not listened to Kala before, prepare NOT to be impressed… 1*
I don’t like this. Not one bit. Another album i just can’t finish.
1/5
0.5
Good ukulele brand. Utterly atrocious album.
The opening song was painful, but then I saw a Billion play song and got excited about the prospect of redemption ... but then when the gun shots starting ringing over the illegible lyrics I gave up ... Worst Billion play song ever!
Mostly repetitive beats and noises, which I find difficult to listen to. Nothing here for me to personally enjoy.
I really struggled to get through this. Paper planes is great, but the rest of the album feels undirected and chaotic in a bad way. The book implies this is a masterpiece and I see other people saying it sets the path for a bunch of other music. Maybe it’s not stuff I’m listening to but I just don’t see the impact. Not for me.
Not my cup of tea.
MAGA weirdo
This is horrible. Someone owes me money for the suffering I have endured.
I really wanted to like this album, I actually listened to it twice to see if it would grow as I liked Paper Planes when it came out but I really could get to grips with the repetitive “Electro Dancehall” It is really critically lauded but I couldn’t listen to this album again if I tried. 1.3
Not for me 1/5
Grusomt Skække beats Dårlig synging Lite melodisk Dårlig klang Eksperimentelt
Well. I can’t exactly say this was boring. Experimental album from MIA here. I’m hearing just about every sound from around the world thrown into one bowl creating a sound I can’t say I recall ever hearing before. Unfortunately beyond the cool production there’s absolutely nothing going on for me. It’s such a big & in your face feeling album but I genuinely have no takeaway. This is some shit you turn on while you’re about to trip with your boys in Ibiza. Totally thought the album would be in the same vein as paper planes- I was wrong. I can honestly say I’ll never return to this one.
The only song i could finish was paper planes. Idk what was the rest. Not a good album in my opinion lol
Hatet virkelig denne. Sitter igjen med en følelse av å være pinlig berørt på hennes vegne.
Helt jævlig.
Che cazzo sto a senti
Yawn ... I am actually surprised as much as this guy who made this list loves songs from GTAV, that we didn't get the album with Bad Girls. But knowing this guy's tastes, I am sure that album is coming! On a side note, just another mainstream album with millions of listeners, multiple writers needed for very simple songs, on to the next crap album on this list.
This is not an album I ever want to listen to again. It's simply awful. I find it neither listenable nor danceable. I just hope I don't get "BirdFlu" from listening to it. Why are there people who tell artists like M.I.A., "Hey, that's great!" "Hey, we'll produce that!" "Hey... oh, I don't know what to say anymore." Zero points!
Sorry, bit young for me!!!
Painful!!!
Paper Planes slaps but it’s the only song on this album I like
Paper Planes is the only song worth listening to on this
Everything about this album is just horrible. Her voice - horrible. The grating sound effects - horrible. The lyrics - horrible. Awful awful stuff.
Paper planes cannot save this album, can’t even get through the first song. It’s all noise to me
Not for me
I would rather listen to the DK rap on repeat for an hour. Catchy, but also shite, 40 minutes that I won't get back. creative, but also shit. Music videos kinda cool though. 5/100.
This sort of music gives me a headache.
Not even music.
Fuck M.I.A. she sucks
Not for me
I hated the last album of hers. I hate this as well - it’s just more of the same primary school skipping songs.
Nope. Absolutely not for me. Rapping I cannot understand plus percussion. Didn’t bother to listen twice. Added “Paper Planes” to the Generator playlist.
huh..
Uh, nope.
Talentless dribble.
My god is she insufferable. I always found her annoying and felt very vindicated when she turned into a tin foil hat wearing rfk/tulsi supporting antivaxxer. One of the most overrated artists of the 21st century.
No thanks
460 albums in. Easily the worst so far. 0 stars.
z albumu znam jedną piosenkę że względu na to że przewijała się już jakiś czas w internecie, i myślę że jest najlepsza ze wszystkich piosenek w albumie. na pewno pierwsze piosenki mi się nie podobały ponieważ były zbyt techno i za mało melodyczne. ostatecznie nie bawiłam się zbyt dobrze, można powiedzieć nawet że byłam dosyć zmęczona tymi piosenkami. daje mu 2/10
Awful!!
кал, который невозможно слушать. его название «kala» полностью описывает альбом
Horrible
Repetitive
Terrible
Other than Paper Planes, no song on this album was that good.
Sounds like a headache
Awful
Bulls....
This suuuucks. Bamboo Banga is one of the worst songs I have ever heard. British rappers sound corny as hell. The same way the words "my lord" said aloud in a film by someone without a British accent sound odd, rap music and British accents just sound off. Without Slumdog Millionaire becoming the hit it did, M.I.A. would just be another weird act with no following in the UK. It doesn't get better with BirdFlu. Oh my god, it's like a challenge to see if she can make each song more annoying than the last. Every song on this album is awful. Nothing screams "serious musician" like having children rap on your album. She just steals lyrics. Where Is My Mind? from the Pixies and some lyrics from Paper Planes. In '92 I was most certainly not listening to this awful, awful album. I think it would be safe to say that in America M.I.A. is a one-hit wonder and she still managed to get two albums in this project. I'm not going to say she alone calls into question the validity of the methodology used to put albums on the list...but she might be Exhibit A. Two albums? There are so few American rap albums on this list already. I like Paper Planes less because this album is so bad. Come Around with Timbaland is the best song on the album.
Weird one for sure. Wasn't really a fan, but i would be interested to hear some of her newer stuff potentially. I like the craziness of it, but it feels like the songs aren't really ones that I would turn on much myself
"This is when "filling a quota" becomes more important than actual talent... one star... at best. this album is a lot... of nothing."
Paper Planes is the only song on here that doesn't sound like incoherent noise. Not my cup of tea at all.
This album is so god damn annoying.. I don't even know how to describe it.. I just hate it. Paper Planes is cool, but not nearly enough to justify bringing this album above 1 star.
I suppose this deserves credit for being creative - smashing together so many genres and styles is brave, but this album is diabolically executed. Paper Planes is obviously the highlight, but it isn't nearly strong enough to carry the rest of this record
I made it 3 songs into this dumpster fire before calling it quits. Repetitive, and a ful. Then switched to just the “highlight” paper planes. I can not freaking do it. This sucks so bad. And 2 disc worth. No thanks 1001 album worthy: no - 108/203