#haven't fed the rally nation for a while

[digitalsnail]

shoal collecting

[qedavathegrey]

Hey, i've checked out that album by M.I.A. you mentioned. Do you want to elaborate on why you like it? Just curious from a musical standpoint

Oh yes, yes I do.

First and foremost, I think the entire album is an exploration of sound: from the feverish, whomping drums to the wailing sirens to power tools whirring. The lyrics are frequently distorted or overpowered to the point they become nearly indecipherable (as if being "silenced") while simultaneously relying so much on phonetics that voice and language becomes only noise. Her vocal performance directly reflects this same dichotomy between low, distorted hammering and high, sharp, metallic/nasal in a way that is nothing short of masterful.

Thematically and sonically, she builds on (and I think perfects) what she was doing on both Arular and Kala, managing to finally bring together the facets of herself into something that's cohesive (if at times overwhelming). The album is feverish, it's angry, but not without moments of tenderness and realization. I think you also get a sense of how tired and how frustrated with the state of the world she is. And probably how she's been portrayed. This was 2010, after all. In this regard, the album feels extremely personal, but the journey itself is universal: while not each of us understands what it means to be a political refugee, we all know what it's like to be frustrated, to be mad, to be tired of injustice and tyranny. And to an extent, the album is a rallying cry. But it also teaches us to find and hold what peace we can in a world that is fucked. Very punk rock, I think, but the album pushes beyond genre.

I also took the liberty of breaking the album down into sections that I think touch on the message of the album as a whole.

Let's go through it:

The Introduction

THE MESSAGE

STEPPIN UP

As with any good introduction, these set the scene: THE MESSAGE reminds us that we live in a society, basically. And that we are not immune to propaganda. It introduces the... well, the message and the message is: we're going to talk about shit, so strap in. STEPPIN UP introduces the artist herself. Both are noisy, loud, abrasive, foreboding. The first time I ever heard STEPPIN UP I was taken aback, shocked, confused: I'd never heard anything like it and I was put off. I think that's the correct response, especially for a first listen. This album is meant to challenge.

Feverish Club Bangers

XXXO

TEQKILLA

"Okay, this sounds like music again. I can get into this." But something's not quite right, is it? The lights are too bright, the music is too loud. And what is that weird noise? Why do I feel like I might throw up? Am I in danger? Yes. Yes, you are. Things are not as they seem.

Your Life is Lie

LOVALOT

STORY TO BE TOLD

Sorry, were you getting comfortable in your delusion? Too bad. Let me introduce you to Western Imperialism & Other Concepts. It's time you actually think about what you've been spoon fed for years. It's time for some perspective and it's time to take some responsibility. Mad? Good. Me too.

Try Not to Get Too Caught Up, Tho lol

IT TAKES A MUSCLE

IT IZ WHAT IT IZ

The world's fucked, but there are also some good things. Small as they may be, cherish them. Shit is heavy and it's easy to get weighed down, easy to get depressed, to want to give up, give in. You could do that or you could...

Get Pissed, Get Even

BORN FREE

MEDS AND FEDS

On second thought, fuck them. "I was BOOOOOORN FREE!" And I'm tired of being lied to and getting fucked over. I'm tired of all this fake shit meant to separate and divide us. I'm tired, I'm mad, I'm fed up and ready to fuck shit up because "I just give a damn" about people. PEOPLE > NATIONS/BORDERS.

Realizations Have Been Had, I Need A Minute

TELL ME WHY

SPACE

Now you're painfully aware of things, but no one else seems to be. You understand it's because they haven't been shown, but you also have to face the fact that you can lead a horse to water, but they'd rather stay crusty. It's annoying, I know. Take a second to collect yourself.

"Not This Bitch Again"

INTERNET CONNECTION

ILLYGIRL

You won't shut up about what you've learned and you've now been formally designated A Menace™. Ignorance would have been the easier choice, but it's too late for that.

A Menace in Isolation

BELIEVER

CAPS LOCK

More bad news: turns out there are few things as isolating as knowing the truth. No one wants to hear it, everyone thinks you're too mad, you're too "political." People don't like being notified when they're being racist or xenophobic, no matter how nicely you try to say it. Change is hard and no one wants to put in the effort. Good luck, though. Bye.

I will emphasize that I don't always agree with MIA (the person), but she certainly captured the message and the journey on this one. As I said, she's telling her story, but I think it's something many can relate to: the anger, the frustration, the hope and isolation of knowledge. And the pervasiveness of injustice.