Boyz

Mia - Boyz

List Price: ~~$4.98~~
Our Price: $0.01
You Save: $4.97 (100%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Category: Music CD
See more CD details
Listen soundtracks from this album

Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store

CD Details

Artist: Mia
Edition: Music CD
Format: Enhanced, EP, Single
CD Release Date: 2007-07-17
Music Label: Interscope Records
Soundtracks:

Boyz
Boyz Acapella
Boyz Instrumental
Photos
Remix Parts
Video
Making of the video, part 1

Music reviews of Boyz

Music Review: Boyz, boyz!
Rating: 4 Stars

If you haven't heard of M.I.A., start listening to her now.

Because not much more can be said about what this Sri Lankan singer creates anymore -- wild, infectious, full-blooded music. And she only gets better in "Boyz," the first single from her sophomore album "Kala," along with a pocketful of alternate versions, a music video, and a few other tidbits.

The title song opens with a dancefunky beat, rattling drums, blares of horns, and the faint sound of crowds cheering. And over it all, we have M.I.A. happily chanting like the head of a cheerleading squad: "How many tequilas in the place?/How many beers are in the case?/ BOYZ there? How many.... boyz there?"

The wild festival dancefunky sound doesn't abate, but it does change themes a bit, from party-hearty to, "How many no money boyz are crazy/How many boyz are raw?/How many no money boyz are rowdy/How many start a war?" and "Can we go ridin' up a dirty track up in Laventille/Will you, show me before I make it back somewhere I can chill?"

Then there's an instrumental version, and an a capella version, but neither are as exciting or vibrant as the original edit. And for the record, you also get "remix parts," which you can use to construct the "Boyz" remix of your choice and personal taste.

And, of course, the much-anticipated music video -- psychedelic colourful backdrops like splashes of paint, animated background, lines of dancing Jamaican men, and animated shapes bouncing in front of them. And, of course, M.I.A. in punk pink and gold jewelry. Everyone looks like they're having a great time -- it has all the colour and playfulness of a children's TV show, but the spark and energy of the best party music.

And finally there's some photos, and a behind-the-scenes video showing how they made the music video. It includes M.I.A. talking about the video style, hanging out with a dancer, Ding Dong expressing his worries, and the dancers trying out their moves and chatting with the camera as well.

In other words, M.I.A. (real name: Mathangi "Maya" Arulpragasam) wrings every last drop of potential from "Boyz," and crams it onto one little single. I never thought I'd be so happy with a single with no B-sides or remixes, but "Boyz" is actually pretty well worth it, though the alternate versions don't quite measure up. Maybe they're for remix parts.

The instrumentation itself is a glorious, riotous tangle of instruments -- I hear trumpets, tribal drums, tambourines, electro swips and scratches, and together it fuses dance, funk, hip-hop and traditional instrumentals. It sounds like M.I.A. took a Bollywood orchestra and forced them to play dance music in the streets, with a crowd cheering on either side.

"Boyz" is an infectious, gloriously fresh song, and the extras aren't too bad either. Hard to think of a better way to whet the appetite for "Kala."

More Boyz free music reviews:
1

Description of Boyz

MIA Boyz US CD single

Alternative Rock CDs

Music Genres

Bestsellers in Alternative Rock CDs

Bouncing Souls - Maniacal Laughter
Release date: 1996-01-26; Music CD
Best price: $30.00

Blondie - Parallel Lines
Release date: 1994-07-29; Music CD
Best price: $149.98

Doors - L.A. Woman
Release date: 1993-04-09; Music CD
Best price: $99.99

Amon Duul - Phallus Dei
Release date: 1997-04-08; Music CD
Price in other shops: ~~$18.98~~

Tangerine Dream - Melrose
Release date: 1990-10-02; Music CD
Best price: $74.98

Tangerine Dream - Private Music of Tangerine Dream
Release date: 1992-11-10; Music CD
Best price: $5.00
Price in other shops: ~~$11.98~~

Ska Explosion [VHS]
Cleopatra; Release date: 1995-02-28; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $14.99
Price in other shops: ~~$16.98~~

Little Earthquakes [VHS]
Atlantic / Wea; Release date: 1992-11-10; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $12.50
Price in other shops: ~~$16.98~~