This is extremely odd. M.I.A appear to be a collective fronted by one Maya Arulpragasam, though the writing credit on "Sunshowers" also features ex-Pulp bassist and burgeoning DJ Steve Mackey and - curiously - August Darnell, who if memory serves, was/ is Latin American smoothie Kid Creole, famous for about 20 minutes in the early 80s. The last time your reviewer came across him, he was involved in some struggling west end musical. What gives?
Actually "Sunshowers" itself only reinforces the feeling of "what the hell's that about?", as it's basically a bright hip-hop track with a ping-ponging rhythm and stripped-back Eastern-flavoured melodic stabs. Initially, Maya sounds like she's trying to do a Miss Dynamite(ee) with the curious, recurring lines like "I bongo my lingo, beat it with a wing-yo/ From Congo to Colombo, can't stereo-type my thing yo", which is all well and good as a vote for individualism, but it gets darker as it progresses and takes in "Semi-9 and snipered him, on that wall they posted him/ They cornered him and then just murdered him". Blimey, can't see THAT sounding too comfortable on Jonathan Ross.
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This writer hasn't seen it as yet, but apparently, the video for the tune was directed by Rajesh Touchriver (also responsible for "In The Name Of Buddha") whose work relates to the Sri Lankan struggles between the Tamils, Sinhalese and Indian 'peacekeepers', so that would probably exlain much of the song's political content.
Anyway, while it ain't truly your reviewer's cup of hemlock, there's no doubting "Sunshowers" is an intriguing record. Shame the additional tracks (Humbug! An a capella version and intrumental of the main track and an ordinary dance tune called "Fire Fire" ) reek so pugently of filler, but let's say interest is at least piqued regardless.
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