M.I.A.
Arular
XL Recordings (2005)
Superfluous. If I could describe the music press' fawning over female Sri-Lankan/British emcee M.I.A. in a single word, that would be it. This excessive praise for a new artist is not unique to her, of course. In 2004, it was Franz Ferdinand. In 2003, it was the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. To be honest, M.I.A.'s Arular does not live up to the hype, but what album possibly could? I'm going to be overly-simplistic and superficial and use Dizzee Rascal as a reference point for what M.I.A. sounds like (because I'm lazy and because M.I.A. doesn't really have a reference point). They're both uniquely British, employ cheap, abrasive beats, and often have as much in common with the electronica scene as they do the hip-hop scene (indeed, the Tower Records in Nashville places both of the artists in the "Dance" section as opposed to the "Rap" section although a case could be made for both genres). That's where the similarities end. While Dizzee Rascal's delivery should be the envy of many an American rapper, M.I.A. will most likely never go down in history next to Nas and Rakim in the Rap Hall of Fame. However, her sing-songy rap style services these songs … Read more
Enola Grey
Cabal
Feeling Faint (2005)
Beginning a band is no easy task, there are many pressures involved with the entire process. Those pressures intensify when … Read more
Big Business
Head for the Shallow
Hydra Head (2005)
In the late 80's and early 90's, Seattle was the place for any musician to be. A brief yet socially … Read more
Paint It Black
Paradise
Jade Tree (2005)
CVA was fucking perfect. Naysayers beware: I am willing to defend that position. A hardcore supergroup of sorts (combining members … Read more
Transistor Transistor
Erase All Names and Likeness
Level Plane (2005)
It's not very often these days one gets the opportunity to use the phrase "This brings the ROCK" without sounding … Read more
Hank Jones
Saturdays of Thunder
Undecided (2005)
An album cover with a skull, blood streaks and three fingers makes the viewer think of death, violence, periods and … Read more
