Reviews (page 5 of 6)
Willfully annoying.
2,5
harsh like yeezus but soft tone. lyrics are fun
Mid
Thought it was well crap
Disappointed. After the high from paper planes I had high hopes. Couldn’t understand half the album. Was just ad-libbing all the way through making noises
A once rebel speaking out against oppression now a "Christian" supporting the Trump regime. Sad.
Kind of surprising how she's on this list not once, but twice. I really only thought she had that money song and that was it.
Pop un peu commerciale aux accents latino, on se fait chier
Je reconnais que j’ai trouvé ça très particulier, ça manque de liant… il y a juste une boîte à rythme j’ai l’impression.. je connaissais cette artiste et elle a fait quelques bangers… mais la… c’était vite chiant
Pas du tout ma came j'ai trouvé ça très répétitif
All one note, don’t know if it was follow-up to paper planes
Although it is not my preferred style of music, I love the kick-ass bass on this. favourite: "Bucky Done Gun" 2,5
This at least has some energy to it but I don’t really wanna listen to hyped out British electro rap. Paper Planes had better production.
This wasn’t for me.
1. Banana - 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. U.R.A.Q.T. (★★⯨☆☆) 13. Galang (★★⯨☆☆) 14. M.I.A. (★★⯨☆☆) TOTAL = ★★⯨☆☆
Can we separate the art and the artist? In mias case no...
Definitely unique, with some really really great beats and sounds going on and the production sounds awesome. The main problem for me is that I just don’t really like M.I.A.’s vocals on here, they become a bit annoying after a while.
To many random noises mixed in for me to really enjoy this. It often feels like it doesn't fit in with the rest of the music.
Not my thing
I felt like this album was pretty lazy, and definitely not up my alley.
This is very interesting. I've never quite heard something like this, I suppose the closest I've gotten are MIA's more famous songs. It kinda almost doesn't sound like music it's very interesting. I can't imagine being able to make these sounds come together like this it's so interesting. What the fuck. I like it conceptually I don't really like it in practice. Favourite: Sunshowers :east favourite: Pull Up the People
M.I.A. – Arular (2005) I have one piece of advice for her: maybe don't try to spread a revolutionary message over mess beats and production. This one I just wasn't feeling at all. The vocals and lyrics felt so disconnected from the rhythm, production, and beats. Honestly, she probably should have been preaching for girls to shake their asses on these tracks instead of trying to preach about vaccines. A flat 2/5.
I thought I may like this but just found it mostly annoying. I do currently have a cold though and everything is shitter with a cold
No. This was not enjoyable. Just clanging garbage.
Listened Before? N I'm gonna be honest... I didn't listen to this one all the way through. I just don't care. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: Bucky Done Gun
I would say this is alright type of album, I didn’t really like it but I didn’t really hate there were a couple of good song here an there but overall it not really my type of niche to listen to. One of my favorite were 10 dollar, and Bucky done gun Overall: 2/5
Cool album, good to dance to, a bit repetitive but then I suppose that’s the point. Just noting for reference since I’ve been a bit inconsistent - 1 star - didn’t like it, wouldn’t play it again 2 stars - decent, I liked it but may not necessarily play it again 3 stars - good, I liked it quite a bit and may play it again 4 stars - great, I loved it but may have some uneven aspects 5 stars - brilliant
Just when a song gets interesting it either ends or veers into something else or becomes at least lyrically more like a traditional pop song.
It is an interesting album but it's not really my cup of tea.
Too busy, too loud, too repetitive
Loved this whe it came out, but it wasn't as amazing as I remember now that I'm a 36 year old.
la verdad me sorprendio, casi lo saco a la mierda pero lo deje y meh, si pudiera serian 2,5 pero bueno
Not for me (sorry dad)
First time listening to this album. I do like some of M.I.A.'s work but I think this album isn't really that good or interesting enough to be included on the list 2/5
I thought this album was ok. I didn’t hate it or love it. I probably wouldn’t revisit most of the songs on the album, but I enjoyed certain parts, and the production was great all the way through, just not my thing. Fav song was Galang, least fav was U.R.A.Q.T.
Very unusual from what I'm used to. I really don't like it, can't even finish the album
Best Song: Galang. The fuzz and the nonsense chorus ended up working in the song's favour on this one. And the beat was great. Worst Song: 10 Dollar. This is unapologetically British, but it's so egregious to listen to that honestly I feel like it should apologize a little bit. Overall: I can't quite put my finger on why I dislike this album. I think it has something to do with how busy it sounds. There all so many different samples being used, and they are used in a way that (to me) feels cluttered and discordant. There is so much going on all of the time, that there's never any room to breathe. Claustrophobic pop music.
This came out two years before Kala. Some good dance tunes but I think I like the later album more. None of the songs particularly stood out, but the overall sound was fun. Having given Kala 3 stars, this one would get 2.5, but am giving it 2 since half stars aren't an option.
Not really my thing, I do like some of her other stuff though.
I think it was the British accent getting to me, didn't love it that much
Not for me
I won't say this is a poorly made example of the genre, I will just say I find the genre utterly annoying and unlikeable. And there's a drum machine.
Not the worst album on this list but far from the best.
Catchy at times and danceable but not on the level of her follow up. Galang and Sunshowers are the highlights for me.
I only knew her hit, Paper Panes, before this. I’m not a big fan of this genre.
I’m AWOL on MIA.
Based on paper planes I thought this album would be better than it was. Talk about recency bias; not unlistnable, but a baffling why is this shit here. Not influential or important enough to warrent a place on the list.
They should have stayed Missing ...
At the start I thought what a load of old crap, that is because it is way out of my comfort zone. But when I had begun to adjust to this particular noise, it did start to grow on me as it went on. However I somehow doubt I will ever listen to this again.
Favorite songs: Fire Fire, One for the Head (Skit), Galang
Not my jam There are bits that are legit, but they come in small bursts.
I have no idea what is going on here. StillI I don't dislike it, whatever it is, it's just not aimed at me.
**No real music, a lot of sounds and noise, too much rap
Þetta er eflaust tónlist fyrir mörg, en þetta er ekki tónlist fyrir mig.
Just didn't really do it for me
I couldn't really get into it. Maybe I'll check it out again some other time.
Can respect it but not for me Why are so many of these albums just straight noise
Favorite Songs: Bucky Done Gun, 10 Dollar Least Favorite Song: Banana I'm sorry Mamma M.I.A. I really wanted to like this one. I really did.
It's fine, it's just not my vibe. I'm not big on 2000s music. Her voice is pretty/cool tho.
Cute, but not for me. Although Paper Planes is quite cool. Maybe this is just not the record.
Litt voldsomt. Det var veldig lite som fenga her. Skulle gitt Jagged little pill en stjerne til.
Tøff i trynet, men blir bare mas og gnål i lengden.
Kind of a fun album, but her style gets a bit repetitive and tiring for me.
Lyrically, MIA is always repetitive which is not necessarily a bad thing in one off songs that hit hard. Nothing seems to hit hard here. At times a bit tedious.
Sometimes good, sometimes annoying. On balance, more annoying than good, and its always hard to support somebody who is anti-vax. Shout out to my favourite song of hers which isn't particularly akin to anything on this album - Born Free. 5/10
Not my kind of music.
One of several on this list, I suppose, where it will be necessary to separate the art from the artist. A few decent tracks, but nowhere near as good as Kala.
Like a Mustaine riff this is flashy, overdone and void of substance or soul. One pity star and one for reminding me of Sanford & Son.
Not my bag
Just not for me
interesting album. if you listen to the lyrics, it's pretty political. mostly about Sri Lanka independence. Political Dance music. who woulda thunk. i hope everyone got a kick out of the song U.R.A.Q.T. which included a music sample and a dialog sample of one of the all-time great comedies.
I give it a 2 just based on the Sanford and Son tease.
I felt like I listened to the same song for 40+ minutes! I’ve heard worse though!!!!
Bouncy and catchy all the way through. And that's the problem. It doesn't evolve or show any real depth.
Just not for me. To be honest, I'm a little shocked that M.I.A. has so many monthly listeners. But then, maybe I'm not surprised. This was pretty unique and interesting, but not something I'll be returning to often. Fave tracks: - Pull Up the People - Bingo - Hombre - U.R.A.Q.T. - Galang
Liked two songs. Could not stand the others. Sounds like she was having fun though. You go girl!
Hard to rate this as it was ok for my tastes but got a bit repetitive, and beat production seemed a bit underdeveloped (whether a bit amateur or a product of its era I’m not sure). I think I could learn to love M.I.A. But today 2.5/5 rounding down
surely it had its time and place. not 2025 though
Catchy but annoying
Gear: INAWAKEN Twilight-DS Artwork: ️🎨👾🏁 Production:📉😏👍 Music: 🧪🤪😖 Rating: 🍌🍌(🍌)/5
Well this got annoying real fast
Meh.
I hate M.I.A. and there is no changing that. I like her vocal experimentation, I like her samples, I like her production, and I hate the finished product. I will never be an unbiased reviewer for M.I.A. Favorite Song: Bingo
A little too out there for me!
Such an odd album. Guess I could see it being a club dancing album, but not good for just listening.
meh. boring & repetitive sound. can't really understand much of her lyrics so no idea what she's trying to convey
#781. Alright. That's it. I'm done listening to any rap music from the UK. Its all terrible it seems, and I'm not listening to any more of it. I'm putting it on the list with jazz where I'll just skim through and listen to a few seconds of some of the songs and then move on. I'm not wasting any more actual time on this crap. 2/5: it's shit, obviously
unique, well made, interesting, I just didn't enjoy any of it
This feels a lot like her Kala album with similar production elements. It does feel more like cohesive music and probably really cool for 2005. Once again, I am not into it that much.
I was very interested to listen to this album when it came up today. I’d heard of her, but have never listened to any of her music. Looking at the genres, I’d also assumed I’d really like this. Unfortunately, it was not the enjoyable listen I’d hoped for. I liked the music very much. The beats and synths are really fun. What I didn’t like is her vocals and the repetitive nature of the lyrics. They are interesting lyrics, but I just don’t care for the delivery. Midway through I found myself losing interest. I’m always a bit more disappointed when I think I’m going to like something and it doesn’t meet those expectations.
Thought it was ok, did feel like the same thing on repeat but I do enjoy a couple of songs
Pretty good wrapping over some incredibly dated and amateurish "music" it sounds like a demo made with a 1980s Casio keyboard
meh
Not far from horrible
Prefer Kala
I had only heard MIA with the great song "Paper Planes" and its Clash sample so I was disappointed with this album. It's interesting sonically and production-wise but it is repetitive and gets boring. Many of the songs don't have a whole lot to say beyond the usual sexual bravado only from a female perspective.
Had high hopes for this one because Paper Planes is a great song and only one I really knew by MIA. But her not really rapping, not really singing thing, and the extensive use of repetition, just didnt work for me at all for the length of an entire album, got super annoying. I cant say i absolutely hated it, some of the actual music was kinda good, but i also really wanted it to be over sooner and had a headache after listening
I expected to like this a lot more than I did. Mostly this was just a chore to get through.
Catchy songs, but as an album there’s no growth, no flow.
Paper airplanes er fortsatt en banger
kun Amazon fængede lidt.
Started strong then ended up just kind of sounding spooky like the depeche mode I imagine. Pretty average.
Not for me.
Not my favorite.
2/5, not the worst but nah
Like it don't love it. M.I.A. is unique and fun but also kinda one note. Oh yeah, and she lost all credibility when she came out as anti-vax. Yuck.
I haven’t gotten the other M.I.A. album on this list yet but I’ve heard it before and enjoyed it a fair bit. Much more than this one.
I remember liking M.I.A.'s "Paper Planes" song back in the day. It's catchy and fun to dance to. However, I always felt like the song goes on for too long and is way too repetitive. Turns out, that's pretty much M.I.A. in a nutshell. But, it's even worse because the songs tend to be more annoying than catchy. Yeah, there are some good songs but they are still repetitive and overstay their welcome. Then there are the annoying songs that are also repetitive. It's definitely a cool, original sound, but that doesn't mean I need to like it.
Great elements but not sure I enjoy the whole.
I guess it's electronic, but it feels more like rap. Not really my jam.
Bit rough to rate this. I listened with it as background muaic on a car trip so tough to give a proper listen. As background muaic, it was a bit same same.
2.5 stars. Decent minimalist hip-hop. Activist-heavy lyricism. OK overall eve if there are some duds ("Pull Up the People", "M.I.A"). "Bucky Done Gun" is the catchy standout.
It made me tired after 3 tracks and after 4th I gave up. The only good thing about it is the diplo/major lazer touch and first minute of her vocal which becomes irritating and boring afterwards.
I usually like this kind of sound but this one just repeats itself to much
Not a fan
i don't think i necessarily disliked this but i found myself becoming increasingly angry as the album went on and anxious for it to end, so i guess i did dislike it lol
Ok, but repetitive. I’m sure if you were a part of this scene, it was exciting, and these tracks definitely take me back to that early aughts vibe. MIA really reached her peak with the single Paper Planes, which utilized my regular sandwich bodega in its music video. The best part of Arular for me was prompting me to revisit Paper Planes, and thus recall all the swirly drug induced memories that song conjures, while also firing finger pistols in the air. Love doing that cock/reload thing with the finger gun. Like I know how firearms work.
Definitely interesting…
pick all the good songs and make an album that’s 50% as long and I’d give it an extra star
I wanted to like this but never really vibed with it. Bingo was a solid track. Low 2
I fully know that the whole point is that MIA is sampling in a plunderphonic type way, but it just felt a bit too all over the place for me
La cosa migliore che ha fatto MIA nella vita è fidanzarsi con Diplo. Senza di lui lei non avrebbe fatto nulla e paper planes col cazzo che la creava da sola
Don't really know what to make of this, it's clearly ahead of it's time and influential but didn't really enjoy listening to it
I know we can't exactly fault this project for including albums that were dropped by the "1001 albums" publication, but this is definitely a debut album that probably shouldn't have ever been included, despite the utterly glowing review in the 2005 edition right after this album came out. I know Maya Arulpragasam has a compelling visual-artist/activist background, but I for one don't find her choice to create an entire album with almost exclusively a sequencer and her voice (and next to no musical background) a particularly good one. "Pull up the people", "Bingo" and "U.R.A.Q.T" are perhaps the best of the lot on a remarkably monochromatic album, but not enough to even get to three stars, I'm afraid. I've always enjoyed her later track "Paper planes", so I hope that album ("Kala") is a more satisfying experience than this is.
That was an experience. 2 stars.
Got a bit bored of the repetition, but some of the riffs are cool.
Didn’t quite hold up
Sounds like the Spice Girls doing electro-reggae. Not my vibe. Some songs seem vaguely racist, or at least culturally insensitive.
Eccentric, but overdone. Lacks the polish of her other album on the list and lacks definitive standout songs. At least it was lively. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Not my thing
holy shit this was annoying. It wasnt the worst but wow I thought this would be better. What did everyone love about her outside paper planes?
Thought I was an MIA fan. Turns out I’m not! This album was not good and really makes me question why we propped her up when she came out. Paper Planes did wonders for her career evidently
unfortunately this has the problem that a weirdly significant chunk of 2005's popular music has which is... where are the instruments?? why is everything so stripped down and just... empty? there's so much emphasis on the unique sound M.I.A. brings to the table (which is fair) that the fact that the songs don't really have anything beyond the political message, assuming it's not just yelling nonsense anyway. also M.I.A. is the perfect example of an artist who had a ton of goodwill and inertia early on, then spent 20 years blowing it all by going crazy deep on controversies and conspiracies. yikes. favorites: bucky done gun, galang
not really my vibe
In a very particular mood I could listen to this, but most often not. Very cool, experimental beats, but this really isn't my thing.
2.5-2.75??? It starts strong, very idiosyncratic, but it doesn’t really offer anything meaningfully different as it goes on. What you get at the beginning is cool and different, but the songs all kinda sound like that. It’s short and listenable for sure, I’m just not sure how essential it is! Shame MIA became a maniac because she IS certainly talented.
I can appreciate listening to something different, but it was actually hard to get through the entire album. 3/10
It's fine...
Reading the wiki entry post-listen I'm really surprised that this is a political album. I listened on YouTube so also caught a few music videos and picked up on no political messages. Outside of the message here, this feels like the type of music that would appeal to teenage girls in the 2000s. Similar vein as Shakira. Not really my thing. I didn't hate it but probably won't revisit.
This felt painfully repetitive. I assumed that paper planes song would be on here and then found out this artist has two albums on the list. That's insane. I have no understanding how that happened. This has some semi-unique elements but I can think of 1,001 albums not on this list to go ahead of at least one of the two of this one.
Way preferred Kala; this was extremely samey.
The lyrics seem more interesting than the music, but it didn't work out for me.
At first, you can hear a fresh, wild energy. Then, so much repetition. Repetition between songs in mostly the same beat and within songs where the same lyrics are just repeated over and over again. I myself will not give this a repeat listen.
I guess there's some interesting beats... kind of? It's shit though.
Some interesting tribal style rhythms that keep this album moving along but at the end of the day it just isn't my style.
In what circumstance would someone want to listen to this? It seems tailor made for a trippy movie scene or something. I did enjoy the beats in a couple songs; fun and bouncy. Would be much better album if all vocals were removed.
Has some very catchy beats and hooks - unfortunately I find her rapping style very grating and it makes my ears bleed a little.
Two albums by MIA is too many.
Interesting beats
Eh. Not really for me.
Not my cup of tea!!!
Not my style not sure how this made the list.
Kinda fun for a little while but not a whole album.
Very marmite...not keen I'm afraid...admire the politics and the sentiment but I find this kind of experimental stuff painful to listen to
I don't like rap music. I like to think to myself that if a rap band was really good I might like it. But it all seems to me all words and no melodies. I can quite easily listen to a song in another language if the tune is good but find it difficult when there is nothing nice for my ears to hear. This album didn't break down my rap barrier i'm afraid, although I did like Bingo.
M.I. A. succeeded in making one of the most annoying albums of all time. One song is cool and after ten songs of the same thing just give me a Bucky done gun.
Convoluted and chaotic and a bit of a mess. Lots of 80s soundbites which is surprising for an album that came out in 2005. The Sanford and Son sample was cool. But overall, it doesn't work for me.
Meh. Not for me. I’m not really into this kind of “dance/electronic” sounds. There were some tracks I enjoyed like Amazon, Bingo. The whole record is very rich in sounds and different genre influences, which is pretty interesting. But overall, I wouldn’t play this again.
This is painful. The duet with Fred Sanford is mildly amusing at least. 1.5/5 #81
I was surprised to get another M.I.A. album. I was actually shocked to get even one M.I.A. album. This was more of the same. Not really my thing.
Pretty unique sound but not one that is enjoyable to me
First album 'in the future'. Some bug let me skip forward a day and listen to tomorrow's album. Listening on 5/6 I didn't finish this on the first sitting and don't have much interest in going back to finish it. It was fine, but I just feel really meh and want to move on to something new. 2 stars simply because I have no enthusiasm for it. Probably harsh and I would have felt different if I listened for longer - Well I wanted different... I definitely got it with this one - I have a hard time believing this is the "must hear" rap album of 2005. I don't think this is gonna rate well globally - I can't articulate what I'm struggling with here. Maybe it's too genre-bendy and overproduced.
Вроде звучание неплохое, но явно не моё, не для заводского парня как я. На треке “10 dollar" я вообще напрягся и подумал что у меня резец просел
Meh
One or two songs is fine. The repetitive beat of this album grated my nerves
Pre-listening thoughts: uh oh trumpie alert! Post/during listening thoughts: well ya know what at least the album is terrible. Bc now I don’t have to act like I didn’t enjoy it just bc she’s a nutball, I ACTUALLY didnt enjoy it! 3/10 DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no Fav tracks: banana Least fav tracks: the rest
It’s not my favorite of hers, but it’s still pretty fun. Would likely not revisit though.
Ehhhh
As a white Australian man who has British ancestry, I won’t complain that I had to listen to this album because they had to endure British Colonialisation and the Disastrous impacts that it had on Sri Lanka which resulted in the points she talked about in this album. Whilst it is not my cup of tea, I’m glad I listened to it as is some semblance of her culture and experiences.
I didn't really find anything about this album compelling.
I liked this more than “Kala”, but it still wasn’t doing much for me.
Interesting that "U.R.A.Q.T." samples the theme song from "Sanford and Son". This might be an innovative choice; or perhaps this means that hip-hop artists have long since run out of riffs to rip off.
2.4
I respect M.I.A. protest music but Arular is way to beatsy and dance for me. 4.2/10
Just didn’t grab me.
Okay album. Interesting meld of different genres of music.
Not quite as bad as ‘Kala’, M.I.A.’s other album on the 1001 albums list. There’s patches here on ‘Arular’ that are almost ok, but on the whole it’s still pretty shit.
It was middling.
2.5/5
This album have a some proto- trap style. Some songs have a reggaeton drops.
Is crazy how Bucky Done Gun sounds exactly like Anitta's' english songs. Overall is just okay-ish.
Yeah... not my thing. The one MIA song I know "Paper Planes" was not on this album and I didn't recognize any of the songs. It all felt too much. Like my ears were being assaulted. Take that back... I had heard the song "Galang" before because someone wanted to use it on a Honda spot I once cut but it was either a cover or a different mix of the song. Because this version was too aggressive for what the spot was. In doing some research... it does appear it was used on the spot but there were other mixes that we must have used.
I only know M.I.A. as a one hit wonder with the song Paper Planes. That song isn't on this album though, which makes me curious as to why this album is on the list. After listening I'm still not sure why this album is on the list. It may have had some impact in its scene but I don't know enough about electronica to know. This didn't do anything for me.
Like the other MIA album on this list, this is way more focussed on percussion rather than melody. Sadly, the percussion has a lot of bells and whistles to conceal some pretty basic 4/4 beats. If it were more ambitious in that regard I might like it more
Wacky and wild. Bizarre beats. Repetitive. Weird vibes, but I appreciate how different it is. Don’t think I need to listen to this again, once is enough lol.
🎧This music is pretty annoying. Favorite track: Sunshowers
Noise of nothing.
some sounds from the future, some sounds that stayed in the past. To me it felt more like a fashion runway project where you get a lot of interesting and unique sounds almost to be part of something bigger.
Never liked M.I.A.'s music before and it's confirmed after this listen, I still don't. Nothing relevant for me here and my disinterest in this album shouldn't take away the fact it's probably influential, blah, blah, just not to me. I don't hate it by any stretch, so it's listenable and I might listen again in the near or distant future.
not a fan
I was hoping this would be Kala, which is an album of hers that I loved and listened to quite a lot back in the day. Unfortunately this didnt click with me.
not for me
Interesting... But not my kind of music
Bucky done gun is a banger but I'm not really going to remember the rest of this album
2.3 Ooo really not my thing. I get it's inclusion though, probably way off the mark in reality, but after a brief listen I get the impression MIA is to hip-hop is what Bjork was to alternative rock when she first went solo. The issue is I love alternative rock, and in general detest hip-hop. So whereas I loved discovering Bjork, I disliked hearing this. Hombre & Amazon the only two tracks I had a positive feeling about, the rest I was wishing the end would approach rapidly.
Les moments où sa voix part dans les aigus est assez insupportable. Malheureusement c'est 50% de chaque chanson.
I’ve tried for decades to get in to M.I.A, but have never been able to. Something about her delivery just never clicks with me. I know full well she approaches serious topics and social/political commentary that needs to be discussed, but as a music artist she just is not for me. I ended up hitting stop when it just sounded like the same song with slight production tweaks after 30 minutes.
One step above noise.
When Arular came out in 2005, M.I.A. was definitely in the right place at the right time. Electronic music and hip hop were evolving, and she brought a fresh energy by merging global sounds into something unique. With Diplo collaborating, the album was filled with raw, angsty energy and a rugged feel that really stood out back then. But listening to it now, it hasn’t aged as well as I hoped. While it was fresh and forward-thinking for its time, M.I.A.’s style feels a bit abrasive and over-the-top now. It’s still a great example of an album that captured its moment, even if it didn’t end up feeling timeless.
Similar to her second album, but without Paper Planes as a hit. The lyrics might be political, but the music that comes with it is just very off putting. M. I. A style is just so much out of my comfort zone. A slightly too far out.
Really very boring. But not as boring as so many albums here, therefore a 2!
Sometimes an album comes along and you just leaves you wondering. To be fair I didn't give it a good listen. Would I go back and listen again, no.
First listen. Meh
I wanted to like this, but it does nothing for me. Cutesy beats don’t really do anything for me, they kind of become grating by minute 20. Interesting arcade sounds mixed with a bohemian sound, but again, grows weary fast and the album just becomes a chore to sit through. I don’t hate it, just disappointed.
Bit angry
2,5
Arular is the debut studio album by M.I.A., originally released in 2005. This is very interesting. As another user commented, "there is a lot of staccato in this album". The beats are sparse, glitchy, and in-your-face. Her voice just adds to that feeling. I admire the genres she mixes on here, from pop to electronic to dancehall. The production on here is... interesting. It is ultra bright and was grating to listen to at times. Maybe that was by design, adding to the electro-pop sound. It's clear that this album is influential. I hear a lot of Charli XCX in here, so she most likely influenced a lot of the more modern electro-pop artists. Definitely not my type of music, but I respect it.
The production on this album saves it. M.I.A.’s charisma is there, but a lot of the time it comes off as really annoying. The songwriting itself can get really daunting even in the short track lengths and ultimately a lot of them feel directionless. Again tho, the production is really cool and a different performer would do fantastic on here. Nothing nearly as good as Paper Planes I’m afraid
Did not finish. Meh.
2/5. After listening to her second album, it's clear this one is the weaker of the two. Feel like she is trying to find her sound still. The beats are great and the instrumentation is diverse and interesting but the vocals feel like they are not too confident of themselves, despite some of the political lyrics. Some of the songs sound similar too, just biased from the next in her discography. Don't think I'd put this one on often though. Best Song: Galang, Fire Fire, M.I.A.
Arular is intriguing, yet it's exhausting and repetitive
kinda album motivating user 6330bcd3272e8c04f99e622f to blind channel user generated album im fucking going to do it
Real snappy. Every song sounds chaotically the same though
Cool rhythm and commentary, sadly a bit stale, a bit repetitive and/or one-dimensional. If you enjoy it you have a lot of it however.
It's consistently inconsistent. How is this the 2nd album by her on this list. 1 wasn't enough? She has a unique style I'll give her that
There was a lot of staccato in this
Interesting and eclectic blend of styles, and politics, and it's rare to find something that is so mixed up like this. The vocals get a bit grating and one-note at times. So for its uniqueness I guess I see why it is on the list, but I didn’t enjoy it. 2⭐️
Not very compelling. The music is kind of a jumble of sounds and beats without much in the way of a theme. 2/5
Good ideas and breakfree style for MIA but did not connect as good as I know she can.
I quite like a couple tracks from M.I.A.'s second album, Kala, so I was hopeful for this album, but this feels like it is very shallow despite the fact that I know it isn't. It's weird that it's generally considered a hip hop album, because the rapping on this album is kept to a minimum. The album more feels like an electronic dance album with a focus on unique beats and musical styles from all across the world, but at the end of the day pop-y dance music is still just pop-y dance music. The beats are ahead of their time in some fashion, and it seems extremely unique compared to most 2000s works, but I thought very little of most of the music here, and only wish there was more going on, because most of the songs don't change, even from track to track. I completely understand someone liking this, but I'm pretty disappointed. Still cautiously hopeful for the follow up.
Det er vist mest bare Paper Planes der er fed haha. Ej men pladen synes jeg er meget samey, jamaikansk reggae-agtigt rap (dancehall? er det nok). Ikke helt forfærdeligt isoleret, en enkelt eller to af disse på floor nok meget fed, men ikke lige min ting.
Ho hum, I guess I was expecting more as I really enjoy "Paper Planes" and "Bad Girls" but didn't feel like it was the same groove.
Humm 2 or a 3… I don’t like her voice, I’m not a big fan of the beats but I did find they put a bounce or a swagger in my step. Boring, child like flow. Interesting content I guess. Love Paper Planes but I’ll never listen to this album again, I don’t think it deserves a spot on the list. Overall I think there’s more negative up there than neutral.
Zafa
Not for me.
Arular - M.I.A. (2005) Eletrofunk Um dos queridinhos da MTV nos anos 2000, que começa bem empolgante, sendo o ponto alto a música "Bucky Done Gun", que tocou durante anos nas paradas de sucesso. Após uma impressão inicial positiva a sonoridade e a forma de cantar da M.I.A. se tornam repetitivas e perdem o impacto inicial criado pela, no momento do lançamento, mistureba musical entre Brasil, Jamaica, Londres. P.s. A M.I.A. se tornou usuária de chapéu de alumínio. Melhores músicas: Bucky Done Gun Piores músicas: N/A 2.5/5
I'm seven songs in and it seems like she is just talking about herself the entire time. Hombre had me bumping. This was nothing special.
Oh boy back to back British hip-hop does not bode well for me. Yup went exactly how I expected. Very different that Dizzee Rascal but also very similar in ways. Too much random noise and a voice that I could not stand. Low 2 again
Every song sounded the same.
You know, not my favorite.
naporno
The production is a bit grating and repetitive, the lyrical content seems way way thin (more mentions of politically-charged topics than actual political perspective being shared here), and M.I.A.'s quest to be the most frustrating person really all get in the way here. I liked Kala a lot when it came out, but it wore thin on me, and I especially went sour on M.I.A. after seeing her cruddy cruddy set at Sasquatch '08.
This is another album where I totally understand why it’s on here; I just don’t care for it. There were some parts I liked, but it definitely felt longer than it’s actual runtime. M.I.A. is definitely talented, but this isn’t my thing.
I definitely see the appeal of this sound but it's not for me. I think the bold and loud digital beats sound a little grating. I think the vocal style is pretty good but I really would prefer different instrumentals. The Vibe: The soundtrack to a mid 2000s action-comedy chick flick that got like a 10% on rotten tomatoes.
Didn't enjoy this particularly, mega repetitive and she just sounds so smug all the time. There's definitely something there, but it's the same thing every time. 2/5.
Not sure why MIA is on here twice. Looks like it was removed in later editions. I like her music in theory, but every time I actually try to listen to more than a song or two I'm anxious for it to be over. Her story is wild, though. Very confusing stuff in her adult life compared to her seemingly working-class ethos, like being romantically involved and having a child with a Bronfman, then becoming a born-again? I'm confused. Doesn't change my opinion of the music, but it does make me question her protest lyrics.
Initially interesting, then repetitive, then boring.
It's not bad but, it's not for me.
Imagine making a book about the 1001 most essential albums of all-time and you end up putting two M.I.A. albums in it. Not bad, but come on, this is so lazy
One of her albums was already far fetched for this list, but two???
I guess it's a good album in its genre, but seriously, this list has a lack of knowledges about what happened in the 2000s AND outside the UK. You know, there's a world outside UK. We don't need 2 M.I.A. albums in a list like that.
Jeg var rasende overset her i starten, skulle dele albummet i 2 for ikke at blive skør i hovedet. Olie tønderne er fede. Hun bruger meget af det hun har lært af det her album på kala som ikke følelses lige så langsom som den her. Flere numre fik jeg Die Antword vibes, bare uden rave. Eller lidt The Ting Tings måske.
Der er stor kvalitet og nyskabelse i det her album. Det falder bare ikke min smag. Dog syntes jeg (en lille) smule bedre om det end opfølgeren, på trods af at der ikke er et nummer der er i nærheden af Paper Planes. Det mest overraskende for mig er at Justine Frischmann har været inde over albummet. Men måske alligevel ikke så overraskende når man tænker på den retning hendes eks tog fra Blur til Gorillaz og senere African Express.
This is aptly named, as anything enjoyable is M.I.A. on that one. 1.5/5
I am not the target audience for this
not setting the world on fire
En saanut viboista kiinni ja soundi oli alussa vielä sopivan erikoinen, mutta loppua kohti loppu mielenkiinto täysin.
Ihan hauskoja biittejä ja täs oli potentiaalia. Mut se the-elementti kuitenkin jäi uupumaan
the only m.i.a song you need to know is “paper planes”
It's kind of all over the place, very chaotic. The production is pretty unique. I can't see myself listening to this ever again, so I guess I didn't really care for it.
I don’t hate this, but I’m also not really enjoying it. I think it’s probably pretty good for what it is, if that makes sense. I don’t know, the rambling of it has made my head hurt 😂
Don’t mind the drum and bass and Kingstown beats but the rest was rather unfulfilling. Plus, I find it very annoying when an artist/group has to sing their name every second line to remind you who they are.
Great beats, but they add up to songs that are kinda boring. Meh
Ohh . . . no. This ain’t it. Sorry M.I.A. You got better after this, but humble beginnings are afoot. Not sure that she needed to be on here once. Twice? Currently 2/3rds the way through this list and things are getting questionable. Did the all-powerful list maker choose some of these to toy with us mortals? Do they sincerely believe these belong on the list of 1001 BEST album? Maybe they didn’t know enough albums and had to throw a bunch of random shit on here to make up for it. Genuinely confused. M.I.A is on here twice. Still baffled that this album, a fever dream of quality, is present. It’s just messy. 2/5
No musical interest to me at all. It all just sounds like inferior versions of 'Ico, ico'.
not my thing.
this sounds like it was maybe some groundbreaking stuff when it first came out but now it just sounds like shit
I've no idea what to make of this
Incredibly boring and repetitive.
I didn’t really like it. It was a little too odd for me.
This wouldn't have been anything without Justine Frischman of Elastica. I've always thought MIA was bogus – performative authenticity for white people. Her voice is terrible, she can't rap, she's really unimpressive, and there's a kind of cultural appropriation going on with the iffy patois accent. I just don't buy it. Great record, shame about the artist.
Nope, didn't like it. Hombre was an awful song. Far too many annoying EHHHHHHs. Next.
It aint no "Paper Planes", I'll say that much.
Definitely not the album for me, but seemed alright. Will I listen to again: 0%
Meh, not upset I listened to it but probably never listen to it again.
I get Mia being on here once for the album with paper planes. That song was huge. Not quite why her debut album is on here. It’s not very good. Was it influential or a first of its kind? Maybe but it’s a bit long and doesn’t even get halfway to the other album she made. 4.2/10
MIA made one maybe good album, why is this here?
Þetta fór að mestu leyti inn um annað eyrað og út um hitt. Skildi ekkert eftir sig.
Galang was alright but a lot of this was a bit irritating. No cash register song either
Meh 2**
Good beats.
Why.
Gets tedious pretty quickly. Pretentious early 2000s "message" music. Totally fresh and innovative? New York 1980s hip hop of Afrika Bambaataa and Grandmaster Flash is calling on line 1. Paul Simon's Graceland on line 2. Neneh Cherry on line 3. Feels like people were blinded by things other than the music.
So strange but captivating and curious
love m.i.a but thats not me
A wild fun energy and enthusiastic performance throughout, but just not something I plan on listening to again
I gave the other M.I.A album a 4 (which was very generous looking back on it), just because I appreciated the uniqueness. I do not believe there should be 2 of these on this list. I’ve only listened to 2 albums once and I’m bored to death.
It's very creative, but almost sounds like someone is pulling a prank and convincing people this is a serious album. 2.20/5.0 Disappointing
Lots of just repeated lyrics. Not really for me. Thanks though.
Interesting but not good. She should stick with it and make another record or two
catchy beats, but mindless repetitive lyrics. singer has an aggressively bri ish accent that becomes more grating the longer you listen.
Not my jam.
Pleasing in that it was nothing like what I expected. Which made me wonder why I expected something else. It was a mind fuck in that regard, you see. That being said, it's starting to feel like M.I.A. has as many albums on this list as Joni Mitchell and Kate Bush. That just seems, I don't know, wrong.
I really tried to enjoy this album and have an open mind but I just couldn’t. I can’t get past the rigid vibe and it just seemed like hard and glassy and very difficult to swallow. It wasn’t necessarily horrible, but just wouldn’t listen again.
Catchy and creative, with some solid rhythms. Way too repetitive for my taste. I know the lyrics are supposed to be politically charged and all, but I found them to be fairly dumb. Fave Songs: Fire Fire, Amazon, Bingo
Didn’t hate it but got tired of it. Every song sounds the same.
Did not love this.
Atlântida a rádio da galera!
Complete and utter crap.
Hiphop’ed, elektronisk 00’er pop, lidt for irreterende i længden
I knew Bucky Done Gun and the album is really just more of the same. Became irritating after a while
Is your dad a dealer? Because you're dope to me. I think I went a on a full circle of love and hate for this one.
M.I.A. thinks she is way cooler than she is. The lyrics are repetitive and unsubstantial. The beats are all similar and quite boring. I was waiting for this one to be over. Only reason it's a 2 is because a couple of the beats were alright...
I have this feeling that M.I.A. is deliberately trying to make music that speaks as little to me as possible. Why? What have I ever done to her? There’s no denying that Arular is a better record than the horrendous follow-up Kala. The beats are more fresh and there are fewer annoying sound effects. Still… Saying it’s better than Kala really isn’t saying a lot.
This is kind of annoying. I think she found her stride later on, because I assumed I would've liked this a lot more knowing some of her other stuff.
Un sonido muy noventero. No me ha importado escucharlo
WTF
Started with great beats and ended with weird lyrics
not as bad as I was I expecting...