Arular
by M.I.A.
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 326 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 277 out of 326
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 326
  3. Negative: 33 out of 326

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  1. DavisW
    May 4, 2005
    9
    Insanely catchy with powerful lyrics. A great add to anyone's collection. Easily one of the best this year.
  2. ElkDog
    Apr 30, 2005
    5
    Wow, this cd was so annoying. It has a lot of forgettable cheap sounding drum beats with this chick going lalala bakka bakka wicka pricka lacka lacka. I have no idea what the hell she's saying. Very annoying. I can't believe the rating it has on this site.
  3. annas
    Apr 28, 2005
    9
    great and fun!! what else is good out there that's fun? just listened to regina spektor: i'd give it a zero.
  4. estherofan
    Apr 24, 2005
    10
    no matter your musical preference, try this album out. extremely catchy and fun in spite of its heavy political overtones.
  5. Aphex
    Apr 21, 2005
    10
    This may be the most immediatley satisfying album to be released in the last 10 years. The lyrics have a political bent that is laughably trite, but the raw power and energy of these songs is truly amazing.
  6. Rza
    Apr 14, 2005
    10
    Magic
  7. allisonk
    Apr 14, 2005
    0
    this isn't good music. this is bullshit direct effect/trl/mtv dance music.
  8. siljes
    Apr 13, 2005
    9
    i love it!!
  9. ClintH
    Apr 12, 2005
    10
    Perfect!!! Great mix of techno, hip hop, and reggae, with the perfect mix of politics
  10. PaulPaul
    Apr 10, 2005
    1
    So boring...
  11. BrianP
    Apr 9, 2005
    10
    Unquestionably worth all the hype. This artist is wildly original and talented.
  12. NathenM
    Apr 7, 2005
    9
    After listening the album, and reading her interviews, I tend to see the album title as another one word loud cry like "Mummy" (for Diana by her sons).
  13. AlecM
    Apr 6, 2005
    10
    With 10K songs on my iPod, i've been listening to nothing else but Arular for three weeks now. I bought Piracy Funds Terrorism, and I'm looking forward to it, just to hear M.I.A's vocals in a new context. I've got my tickets to see her at Coachella, and again with LCD Soundsystem at the El Rey in LA. Obsessesed? Just a bit. Not since the one two punch of Dry and Exile With 10K songs on my iPod, i've been listening to nothing else but Arular for three weeks now. I bought Piracy Funds Terrorism, and I'm looking forward to it, just to hear M.I.A's vocals in a new context. I've got my tickets to see her at Coachella, and again with LCD Soundsystem at the El Rey in LA. Obsessesed? Just a bit. Not since the one two punch of Dry and Exile in Guyville way back in 1992-93, has there been such an intelligent, compelling, and beautiful woman's voice in popular music. I can't wait to hear what she has to say next.… Expand
  14. DonG
    Apr 6, 2005
    10
    Not ONE of the best, but THE bet album of the year. And likely to remain so.
  15. RasulS
    Apr 5, 2005
    8
    I am HUGE music Fan - my music interests span from artists such as Ali Farka Toure to Trent Reznor and Nine Inch Nails and M.I.A.'s album is hot geniusness!! The music is paradoxical in a beautiful way (but doesn't that make the most interesting stuff?) Inititally the party aspect of her music hits you, then, if you feel the need to dig deeper, you can explore the complex issues I am HUGE music Fan - my music interests span from artists such as Ali Farka Toure to Trent Reznor and Nine Inch Nails and M.I.A.'s album is hot geniusness!! The music is paradoxical in a beautiful way (but doesn't that make the most interesting stuff?) Inititally the party aspect of her music hits you, then, if you feel the need to dig deeper, you can explore the complex issues of her politics as she spreads them acrross the landscape of here album. This all in turn creates a complex mosaic of good time partying and thought provoking polemics. What an album!! Definitely the sure shot of '05. Pull up the People Pull up the Poor. . . . !!! Rock on M.I.A.… Expand
  16. Cha7
    Apr 2, 2005
    9
    Easily, one of the best albums of the year. I think the last time I checked, Arular was 9th or 11th on the best selling list at Amazon.com. While I don't think that this record will ever get any real big city radio play in American cities (which sucks), except for maybe Galanga or Sunshowers, she definately will be a force to be reckend with come her second album. The only thing that Easily, one of the best albums of the year. I think the last time I checked, Arular was 9th or 11th on the best selling list at Amazon.com. While I don't think that this record will ever get any real big city radio play in American cities (which sucks), except for maybe Galanga or Sunshowers, she definately will be a force to be reckend with come her second album. The only thing that I'm kind of dissapointed is that that while It is really refershing to hear someone as creative as M.I.A., her songs are songs that are not songs that you will be blasting in your ears everyday for the next few weeks. In fact, like good ammo, they should be used sparingly, when you need a good pick me up. What I will like to see from her that this record gains her enough popularity that she collaborate with some of the greatest minds of dancehall and hip-hop. Why you may ask? Because her beats are awesome!!… Expand
  17. Tortoise
    Mar 30, 2005
    9
    Hombre and Galang are interesting tracks.
  18. RichardR
    Mar 29, 2005
    9
    This record is great. My only complaint is why no more pictures of her! She's way beyond sexy... More than half of the songs are as catchy and creative as can be.
  19. ElliotG
    Mar 28, 2005
    10
    Mindblowing. Easily the best album of the year so far, destined to become the overall best album of 2005.
  20. ahmarq
    Mar 27, 2005
    10
    quite simply the best album ive heard in the past 2 or 3 years. also im just shocked richard x produced this, in a good way.
  21. ChrisK.
    Mar 26, 2005
    10
    Fierce beats + brilliant lyrics = the best debut in a long long looooong time
  22. andpola
    Mar 26, 2005
    8
    While the beats are insane, and this girl sure knows how to rock out. I think it's too political for it's own good. The saving grace about this is the songs are so hot you can listen to one and completly miss the undertones, but still enjoy the album.
  23. Dana
    Mar 25, 2005
    9
    This is an exceptional album. Up until the past couple months I really didn't listen to this type of music (I was more of an alternative rock/trip-hop listener). I'm glad I've broadened my musical horizons.
  24. ScottM
    Mar 25, 2005
    10
    Hoy Hell
  25. RhiannaL
    Mar 25, 2005
    10
    its good
  26. DwightV
    Mar 25, 2005
    10
    Creative, fresh...just great music. The beats are addictive and hooks are clever. J.ust great
  27. JopsehP
    Mar 24, 2005
    9
    M.I.A's tribal drums and electronic beats fall together so perfectlt they make you grin, bob your head, and acend to moving your whole body. It's quite delicious.
  28. ChrisC
    Mar 24, 2005
    9
    A really fantastic dance album. Sure, it's got a lot of repetetive beats and hooks, but it's a totally immersive listen, and M.I.A. just seems to have an instinct for using the right beats at the right times, whatever anyone might think about the depth or lack of in her political insights.
  29. RobH
    Mar 24, 2005
    10
    It combines all the elements I could ever wish for in a pop album. It`s something completely new and NOW!
  30. Andrew
    Mar 24, 2005
    10
    Highly original hip hop/dance straight outta London from a Sri Lankan refugee. And that is definitely not your typical dance or hip hop. Definitely not overrated, if anything, there should be more perfect scores! And not like anything else out there. Words cannot suffice to describe how all over the place it is, fusing genres, and doing so perfectly. I have been listening to Arular since Highly original hip hop/dance straight outta London from a Sri Lankan refugee. And that is definitely not your typical dance or hip hop. Definitely not overrated, if anything, there should be more perfect scores! And not like anything else out there. Words cannot suffice to describe how all over the place it is, fusing genres, and doing so perfectly. I have been listening to Arular since it was originally due to be released, but was postponed due to sampling issues, I have no idea if anything was changed. My guess may have been 'Rocky' sounding samples from 'Bucky Done Gone'. Now M.I.A. born Maya Arulpragasam has signed a record deal with Interscope which will see it drop in mid April. Start to finish, a gem of a record! Highly recommened listening. I guarantee it will be in number one in umpteen top ten lists for 2005, and in even more top ten lists overall!… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

8
#8 Best Album of 2005
19
#19 Most Discussed Album of 2005
8
#8 Most Shared Album of 2005

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
88

Universal acclaim - based on 33 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 33
  3. Negative: 0 out of 33
  1. Urb
    80
    M.I.A.'s singsong cadence is both child-like and streetwise, perfectly mirroring the smiley-faced menace of the electro-informed palpitations behind her. [Mar 2005, p.113]
  2. Village Voice
    80
    Not for a moment does the violence seem vindictive, sadistic, or pleasurable. It's a fact of life to be triumphed over, with beats and tunelets stolen or remembered or willed into existence.
    Read full review
  3. Austin Chronicle
    89
    Fortifying her monstrous singles "Galang" and "Sunshowers" with further molten munitions, Arular is primed for worldwide insurrection.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »