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. JM
    Jul 7, 2005
    10
    One of the essential albums of the year...
  2. sidewinder572
    Jul 13, 2006
    10
    I don't know her story. I just bought this on a whim. Gave me chills. One hell of an album.
  3. Anonymous
    Sep 4, 2007
    0
    Can anyone even understand what she is saying? I am shocked to see that so many people like this kind of music. And I use the term music lightly, because to me this is just random noises thrown together. If anyone listens to Dane Cook, then they will understand when I say that this is the kind of noise that makes you want to punch a baby.
  4. ivanv
    Jan 4, 2007
    0
    awful, how is this getting good reviews. this sounds even worse than kevin federline. i know there a message and all but its awful. not music
  5. PaulPaul
    Apr 10, 2005
    1
    So boring...
  6. allisonk
    Apr 14, 2005
    0
    this isn't good music. this is bullshit direct effect/trl/mtv dance music.
  7. DaveR
    May 8, 2005
    2
    I do not understand the hype behind this crap. By any yardstick you use, it comes up short. Maybe if they'd actually review the music instead of some hipster revolutionary object of lust, hey, we'd be getting somewhere. I think only one song I even remotely dug. I'd rather hear a street preacher ranting over a broken 909.
  8. JamieS
    Jun 23, 2005
    3
    doesnt really do very much new, doesnt really say anything of interest. merely average.
  9. Kay
    Jun 3, 2005
    0
    it's is completely beyond all reasonable comprehension how anyone could actually enjoy this "music". the beats sound cheap and poorly recorded. there is no melody or real musicality to any of the tracks and i have know idea what she's talking about in any of these songs. honestly listening to this album while reading these reviews makes me feel like i'm in the twilight it's is completely beyond all reasonable comprehension how anyone could actually enjoy this "music". the beats sound cheap and poorly recorded. there is no melody or real musicality to any of the tracks and i have know idea what she's talking about in any of these songs. honestly listening to this album while reading these reviews makes me feel like i'm in the twilight zone. if i could rate it a negative number i would.… Expand
  10. MattP
    Jun 5, 2005
    0
    utter garbage. Not a single redeeming quality in this piece of overhyped, monotanous trash.
  11. AaronS.
    Jul 10, 2005
    2
    Incredibly overrated disc. Don't believe the hype on this one. I've tried it two times now and I just don't get it. Her vocal style is irritating beyond belief and there is simply nothing ground breaking about the record. 'Bucky Done Gone' has to be one of the worst songs of the year. Skip it.
  12. Buck65
    Mar 22, 2005
    0
    This album is not good and overrated. There are so many albums just like this and are for some reason rated differently.
  13. GarielL.
    May 31, 2005
    5
    After buying the singles for Galang and Sunshowers, I was excited for the full length. It turns out that the album is pretty blah. Those two tracks are on the album with what feels like a very small handfull of other tracks, few memorable. I would dig Bucky Done Gone, but I've got the Brazilian funk track they lift the whole beat from, and I just assume play that. I officially After buying the singles for Galang and Sunshowers, I was excited for the full length. It turns out that the album is pretty blah. Those two tracks are on the album with what feels like a very small handfull of other tracks, few memorable. I would dig Bucky Done Gone, but I've got the Brazilian funk track they lift the whole beat from, and I just assume play that. I officially stopped being a fan when I saw her live with Diplo DJing for her. Her back up singer held her up the whole time, and it seemed like she was just reciting the lyrics along to the CD. There was no charisma or spark. Even worse, after making us wait for three hours with no opening act, they just played the songs off Arular and left. I think this album was all she had in her. If you want some real talent from a British chick, check out Lady Sovereign.… Expand
  14. mukesht
    Dec 11, 2005
    3
    Lots of hype, mostly BS. Not a renegade at all, just a media manipulator. The stories of her childhood are mostly rubbish.
  15. hydrawithears
    Oct 3, 2011
    6
    One look at the cover and you know that this album isnâ
  16. Brendan
    Sep 26, 2005
    10
    Simply amazing - and this is coming from someone who's heard stranger things than most of you will ever hear in your entire lifetime. M.I.A. is a consummate artist (which is one of many things her dissenters are NOT), and she wears her weaknesses better than you wear your pretensions. I'm probably strutting to her beats as you're reading this and wondering why you Simply amazing - and this is coming from someone who's heard stranger things than most of you will ever hear in your entire lifetime. M.I.A. is a consummate artist (which is one of many things her dissenters are NOT), and she wears her weaknesses better than you wear your pretensions. I'm probably strutting to her beats as you're reading this and wondering why you aren't either.… Expand
  17. 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
  18. 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
  19. MariP
    Jun 28, 2005
    4
    'Galang' begins to get on my last nerve. SWITCH please, M.I.A...
  20. kammie
    Aug 6, 2005
    10
    Bliss!!!! This is the most addictive album I ever heard in my whole entire life!!!! They get stuck in your head and you need more, you absolutely need it!!! It's like giving an 80 dollar sample of crack cocaine to a crackhead!!! This is the best cd I ever heard in my life!!!! Pure joy!!! Bliss!!!!!!!!!
  21. Vaal
    Sep 9, 2005
    6
    Not really melodic. This is for people who love electro/dance and drum & bass but not really for the hip-hop fans. I reckon it has something, but it's not extraordinary. It just feels different than the ordinary, but that doesn't necessarily means that it is good just for being alternative. Lyrics are okay, but her voice feels repetitive. Even though every song is different I Not really melodic. This is for people who love electro/dance and drum & bass but not really for the hip-hop fans. I reckon it has something, but it's not extraordinary. It just feels different than the ordinary, but that doesn't necessarily means that it is good just for being alternative. Lyrics are okay, but her voice feels repetitive. Even though every song is different I can't help but hearing the same.… Expand
  22. MikeC
    Jan 2, 2006
    10
    One of the best albums I've heard in a long time. I love her production, and I think it's the most original and unique blend of genres that actually works well and is a privilege to listen to.
  23. Malini
    Jun 3, 2006
    10
    If you like to dance, you'll probably like this. It really makes you want to move. And once you get into it, you dont want to stop playing it.
  24. JasperB
    Nov 13, 2005
    9
    Pure fun
  25. Mell
    Nov 4, 2005
    8
    It's a unique album, great in the sense that its genre is unexplored by pop musicians.
  26. Sveta?
    Oct 5, 2005
    9
    Simple but complex, great party music. Although I am mostly into hard rock, this album is just as addicting as many of my usual listenings.
  27. VladA.
    Mar 22, 2005
    10
    Damn this is good...
  28. eliasi
    Mar 22, 2005
    9
    it could be better, but as a debut, it's outstanding.
  29. 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
  30. 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.
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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 »