M.I.A. - MAYA (/\/\ /\ Y /\)

M.I.A. is a producer, a singer, rapper, fashion designer, and a politcal activist. She really is never to far from a hit song on the top 20 list. Now ruba-dubba dub-dub may be the worst thing you could sing in a song let alone a bath-tub. Unless your M.I.A. Steppin Up to the plate to try and hit another home run. Rapping never has been easy, trying to keep everything simplistic and flowing freely. On top of that she was prego and had a baby during the making of this cd.

For me nothing really took flight like her last albums single paper plans did, but there are some hits that we can at least run with. The beat to Steppin Up is strange and never too mundane. The constant use of power tools and repetition of words make you feel a little insane. As for the vocals they go hand in hand with the track. In-fact, she always puts thought and tact to the way she raps. On the song Lovalot she makes a political statement saying "they told me this is a free country, now it feels like a chicken factory." and also adding the hook "i fight the ones that fight me." Lovalot is one of the highlights to this cd. Next up to the plate and one of my favorite songs of hers to date is It Takes a Muscle. With a chilled drink and a relaxed beat you dont feel that you have to hustle through this one. Back to the care-free summer loving type fun the song leaves you with a great feeling and a chorus worth singing. The song Tell Me Why and Space is the next couple of tracks worthy of a good listen. Its as if M.I.A. is on a mission to keep her status as one of the biggest international pop-sensations. Wither she has failed or succeed is another question.

Out with the good, and in with the bad. Meds and Feds is a waste of time and sad. The fillers on the album make it hard for this to be a winner. While Taqkilla makes you scream for a shot of whatever. I understand that she wants to be well rounded but in her attempt it falls short and hurts the album.

Synopsis: M.I.A. is rarely missing in action in her new album. Lets hope the next one will be a little more grounded.

Score: 68
1- Listen from start to finish: 13
2- Listen again within a week: 10
3- Originality: 16
4- Advancement:16
5- Buyers Remorse:13