Welcome To Mali - Amadou & Mariam
User Score
8.1 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 54 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 45 out of 54
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 54
  3. Negative: 6 out of 54

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  1. JohannT.
    Dec 29, 2008
    2
    What annoys me the most on this album is that though it's clearely not a good one, Amadou & Mariam are the only famous modern african artists. And because of that, they should be considered as interesting. But they are not. I never heard lyrics that dumb (if you translate from english to french, it goes "Africa, it's not only war, Africa, it's not only hunger, it's also sun, happiness", which is the best way to convey the toughest clichés about Africa). The music is OK, but really, it is so dull when compared to that of Rokia Traoré, who really mixes traditional and modern music in an unheard-before way. No, really, I can't help thinking Amadou & Mariam is world music for people who actually use the expression "world music" : uneducated people who like to think themselves as curious and open minded.… Expand
  2. SergeyP
    Feb 4, 2009
    1
    Absolutely agree with user comment: this CD is only for "uneducated people who like to think themselves as curious and open minded."
  3. WilliamF.
    Dec 15, 2008
    1
    this is the most over rated album this year. Check out Foals! Nothing like a bit of funk punk/math rock!
  4. GillI
    Feb 4, 2009
    0
    Sorry guys but i can't rate this clone of Manu Chao higher. Absolutely nothing interesting to listen.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
86 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 21 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. musicOMH.com
    80
    Big production bombast in the latter half of the record--especially on 'Africa,' the English-language 'I Follow You' and the title track--could happily be skipped over, but there's at least half a record here that's as indispensible as it is likeable.
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  2. Observer Music Monthly
    100
    The great thing about this follow-up is the way it builds on that foundation without lapsing into self-consciousness.
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  3. Pitchfork
    84
    This album is an affirmation of global connectivity and an emerging global culture that transcends and repurposes tradition as it sees fit--the sound of Mali merging with the world at large.
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