M.I.A.
Kala
(XL/Beggars Group)
Say what you will about M.I.A., she doesn't play favourites.
The London-born, Sri Lankan-raised rapper named her first album -- 2005's Arular, which turned her into an overnight sensation -- after her father, a Tamil Tiger rebel.
So naturally, like a good daughter, she's named this followup after her mother Kala. And the girl Kala named Maya Arulpragasam likes to spread the musical love around too.
Like its eclectic predecessor, this dozen-track disc is a multi-culti mashup of global proportions. Embracing a wealth of styles -- rap and hip-hop, reggae and dancehall, bhangra and world beat, electronica and techno -- and drawing on rock influences like The Clash, New Order, Pixies and even The Modern Lovers, M.I.A. weaves a rich, groovy tapestry of sound on which she stitches lyrical polemics and manifestos.
In short, she's still the life of the political party. But this time, it feels more natural and less forced -- as if M.I.A. is more confident in her abilities and comfortable in her place in the world.
Speaking of settings, these tunes are already well-travelled -- most were cut in Trinidad, India, Australia, London and other cities after M.I.A. was denied entry to the U.S.
Maybe her visa issues had to do with her dad -- or with statements like this one she made to MTV: "If I was ever to strap myself up with some bombs and blow anything up, it'd be credit card companies."
See what we mean? Spreading the love.
Bamboo Banger 4:58
"Road runner, road runner," chants M.I.A., "going a hundred miles per hour." Yep, she's quoting Jonathan Richman. But JoJo's version never rolled to such a hypnotic, irresistibly pumping bassline.
Bird Flu 3:24
On her MySpace page, M.I.A. claimed she titled this song Bird Flu "because this beat gon kill everyone." Maybe not -- but the offkilter jam built from an army of clattering Indian urmi drums and a children's chorus is wickedly infectious.
Boyz 3:27
The lurching groove and percussion create an African feel -- but jump- rope vocals and swooping synths turn this into a freaky musical hybrid -- albeit one in need of a stronger structure
Jimmy 3:29
Reworking a Bollywood disco hit called Jimmy Jimmy Aja -- no, we never heard of it either -- M.I.A. dishes up the disc's most commercial tune, a breathy reggae-pop ditty that could give Bananarama a run for their money.
Hussel 4:25
"I hate money 'cause it makes me numb," sings M.I.A. Can't say the same for this fusion of belly-dance rhythm, pulsing synths and knob- twiddling production. Teenage rapper Afrikanboy adds some stuttery boasting.
Mango Pickle Down River 3:53
Can it get weirder? Yes it can. This Aussie-flavoured cut sports a buzzy didgeridoo bassline, a slow-grind groove and vocals from the Wilcannia Mob -- a group of rapping aboriginal children.
20 Dollar 4:34
Only M.I.A. would combine the melody of New Order's Blue Monday and the chorus of The Pixies' Where is My Mind? with video-game blips and gunshots. And only she could turn it into a moody electro-ballad this compelling.
World Town 3:53
"Hands up, guns out," sings M.I.A. over wobbly snake-charmer synths, a bouncing bass and accents supplied by cocking automatic weapons. Even Fitty doesn't use this many gun sound-effects.
The Turn 3:52
You can't call this slow-burning, dreamy little Middle Eastern groovescape a traditional ballad -- but it's as close as you're going to get on this disc.
XR2 4:20
"Where were you in '92?" croaks M.I.A. Apparently, she was at a rave, if the robotic techno, bendy brass samples and synth-drum effects here are anything to go by.
Paper Planes 3:24
M.I.A. adds reggae-style vocals -- along with finger snaps and yes, gunshots -- to a lazy Afro-Caribbean cooler built atop The Clash's Straight to Hell. Somewhere, Joe Strummer is smiling.
Come Around 3:53
Since Timbaland produces and co-stars, you might think M.I.A. saved the best for last. Nope. The surprisingly bland track sounds like a Nelly leftover, while Timbo seems to think M.I.A. is Native American -- "Baby girl, you and me need to go to your teepee," he says. Whatever.
