shop | mailing lists
musicOMH
music: album reviews
Manu Chao - La Radiolina (Because)
UK release date: 17 September 2007
4 stars
Manu Chao - La Radiolina

buy this title


track listing

1. 13 Dias
2. Tristeza Maleza
3. Politik Kills
4. Rainin' In Paradize
5. Besoin De La Lune
6. El Kitapena
7. Me Llaman Calle
8. A Cosa
9. Bleedin' Clown
10. Mundoreves
11. El Hoyo
12. La Vida Tombola
13. Mala Fama
14. Panik Panik
15. Otro Mundo
16. Piccola Radiolina
We live in an age where many artists feel compelled to release albums every year lest the music buying public forget them. Manu Chao has left a staggering six year gap between his last album and La Radiolina (Little Radio). But when you're a world music artist whose debut album was outsold only by Buena Vista Social Club, it's safe to say you're not going to be forgotten easily.

It's not that Manu Chao has been leading a hermit like existence in a cave for all this time. During the interim, amongst much else, he's produced Amadou & Mariam's excellent Dimanche A Bamako album. But fans can now rejoice that the busman's holiday is now over with the arrival of this hotly anticipated third solo record.

Chao's earlier work was recorded on a portable eight track studio carried around in his backpack. Time has moved on and the eight track has now been replaced with a laptop. The global traveller spirit remains the same, but this time he's been able to produce a more vibrant, multi-layed mix of sound. The album was originally planned for a release earlier this year, but was put back so the laptop could be put through its paces with more sonic tinkering.

This album is a concentrated effort to break into the English speaking market, the only domain where Chao isn't a megastar. For anyone who's somehow unaware, he's a truly global artist who divides his time between Paris, Barcelona, Bamako and Buenos Aires. It's not difficult to see why La Radiolina contains as many different styles of music as there are stamps on his passport. The multi-lingual vocals are designed to appeal to all and his music without borders approach is sure to appeal to the masses.

Despite not liking the world music pigeon hole, Chao draws on many influences from around the world to create a truly global experience. We're taken to each and every continent is this collection of energetic, bite size songs. It's an anarchic mix which is fun, exuberant and passionate. It's difficult to ask for more.

Of course, the world has changed considerably in the last six years and this album reflects those changes. At first glace some of the tracks such as Politik Kills carry some simplistic rhetoric, but it's never nihilistic or tiring. If there's one criticism of the album is that it needs a few listens to grow on you - its predecessor Proxima Estacion Esperanza was a more immediate affair. At first it may sound a little repetitive in places and at time certain musical motifs seem to be repeated now and again. However, this is one of those albums that makes sure you spot something different every time and it's certainly not a chore to listen to.

La Radiolina is sure to delight Chao's legions of fans and will convert some new disciples. Only time will tell if this album will attain classic status - but let's not leave it for another six years, Mr Chao.

  share: 
Facebook | Digg | del.icio.us | more
Mercury Prize 2009 nominees
FLORENCE AND THE MACHINE SPEECH DEBELLE KASABIAN FRIENDLY FIRES
LA ROUX BAT FOR LASHES THE HORRORS GLASVEGAS
SWEET BILLY PILGRIM THE INVISIBLE LISA HANNIGAN LED BIB




out this week:
tUnE-yArDs - BiRd-BrAiNs Norah Jones - The Fall Will Young - The Hits
Ebony Bones - Bone Of My Bones Mariah Carey - Memoirs Of An Imperfect Angel Them Crooked Vultures - Them Crooked Vultures
coming soon:
Gabby Young And Other Animals - We're All In This Together Rihanna - Rated R Codeine Velvet Club - Codeine Velvet Club
recent releases:
Shirley Bassey - The Performance Martha Wainwright - Sans Fusils, Ni Souliers, a Paris Biffy Clyro - Only Revolutions
Robbie Williams - Reality Killed The Video Star Pascal Babare - Thunderclap Spring Joe Goddard - Harvest Festival
Jamie Cullum - The Pursuit Nirvana - Live At Reading (Deluxe Edition) Nirvana - Bleach (20th Anniversary Edition)
Julian Casablancas - Phrazes For The Young The Hidden Cameras - Origin: Orphan Weezer - Raditude
Cheryl Cole - Three Words Kings Of Convenience - Declaration Of Dependence Portico Quartet - Isla
The Antlers - Hospice Fuck Buttons - Tarot Sport The Flaming Lips - Embryonic
more album reviews
TOP ARTICLES NOW
GIG: Beyoncé brings Sasha Fierce to London

MORE GIGS: Rihanna, Martha Wainwright, Rickie Lee Jones, Steve Martin, Fionn Regan, Hope Sandoval, Muse...

ALBUMS OUT THIS WEEK: tUnE-yArDs, Norah Jones, Will Young, Mariah Carey, Stereophonics

ALBUM: Gabby Young And Other Animals: We're All In This Together

INTERVIEW: Martha Wainwright on her Edith Piaf album Sans Fusils, Ni Souliers, a Paris

ALBUMS: Nirvana: Live At Reading / Bleach

INTERVIEW: Gary Numan on pleasure principles

RELATED ARTICLES
ALBUM:
Manu Chao - La Radiolina

GIG:
Manu Chao @ Brixton Academy, London

EXTERNAL LINKS
Manu Chao



  more album reviews...



musicOMH
about us
contact
copyright
home
elsewhere
Twitter
Facebook
Last.fm
Soundcloud
MySpace
© 1999-2009 OMH