M.I.A. - 'Paper Planes'
I did debate briefly doing this review in a "cuh, why did it take until being featured on the Pineapple Express soundtrack for this amazing song to achieve mainstream success, eh?" style, but then I realised it would've been a bit disingenuous of me, since I was quite a latecomer to M.I.A. myself and only truly realised the amazingness of 'Boyz' when I heard it in a nightclub last year and then it was played in an episode of 'Heroes' a few weeks later, so absolutely no rocksnobby behaviour from me in this review, I promise.
(See if you can spot the Beastie Boys in the video!)
One of the things that appeals to me about this song is the way in which the melody of the singing in the verses is discordant with the backing - there's something very calm and serene about the music, and the slight mismatch in tone with the melody slaps you around the ears, demanding your attention, and forcing you to listen to the words. And when you do, and realise it's a dead-eyed skit on ruthless business practices, it just multiplies the queasy power of the song.
Also, having watched over two hours' worth of The X Factor this weekend, it's quite a refreshing change to have a moment of disharmony in a song that's actually intentional.
M.I.A.'s icy, distant vocals in the verses give way to a catchy, juvenile playground chant of the kind that made 'Boyz' such an earworm - except in this case it's mixed in with the sound of guns being fired and cocked, which again provides a rather chilly contrast to the sweetness of the backing.
I hesitate to use the word 'clever' to describe a song because it always seems like a bit of an empty compliment, but here I think it genuinely applies - it's a clever song because everything's been measured to make sure you're always paying attention, that you never allow it to just be on in the background - this is a song that demands your time, and then pays you back handsomely.
To be honest, I don't care what it was that brought this song to prominence in the charts - I'm just glad it's there.
Download: Out now
CD Released: October 13th
(Steve Perkins)
Comment number 1.
At 6th Oct 2008, katieloum wrote:The music is a sample of 'Straight to Hell' by the Clash.
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Comment number 2.
At 6th Oct 2008, Fraser McAlpine - wrote:Yep. And the brilliant thing about 'Paper Planes' is it doesn't immediately remind you of the song it is sampled from.
Someone has probably already blended both songs together by now. And if they haven't, they should!
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Comment number 3.
At 8th Dec 2008, musichyper wrote:What's so appealing about MI.A? I'll agree that there is a noticeable level of individuality, but there is no way this record deserves a nomination of Album of the year.
I Hyped M.I.A on Everhype and gave it 42% which I think is fairly accurate.
I wouldn’t mind getting some opinions on it . If you get on there, rate me a 5 & request friendship.
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