Gordon Lightfoot Book, Music and More!

Before her debut album arrived, the London-based Sri Lankan singer, born Maya Arulpragasam, was already an underground sensation. Influenced by Canada’s electro-punk bad girl Peaches, M.I.A. has concocted a striking style that blends political messages with elements of Jamaican dancehall, American hip-hop, British grime and beyond. “Sunshowers,” which cites the PLO, has a hypnotic, Eastern vibe, while “Galang” is a bracing mix of street slang and abrasive rhythms. Oddly captivating.

Like a hip teacher, ex-Moxy Früvous member Mike Ford gives life to historical figures usually confined to textbooks. Songs like the boisterous “Turn Them Ooot!” and the peppy “La Patriote” reference 1837 Rebellion leaders Mackenzie and Papineau, while the garage-y “Sir John A – You’re OK” serves as a rock tribute to our first PM. And Ford’s version of “I’ve Been Everywhere,” rhyming off Canadian place names at twice the speed of Hank Snow or Stompin’ Tom, makes the CD a treat. Curriculum-approved, too.

Her record label cites Tori Amos and Fiona Apple. And the 20-year-old native of Glendora, California does have something in common with those artists: her producer, Eric Rosse, worked with Amos, while her drummer, Matt Chamberlain, recorded with both Amos and Apple. But Nalick lacks the depth of those artists. On tracks like “Breathe (2 a.m.),” “Citadel” and “Paper Bag,” she’s closer to Jewel, Meredith Brooks or Natalie Imbruglia. While Nalick’s debut album is respectable enough, it’s just not distinctive. Mar. 15