Manu Chao - Clandestino
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Free Music Notes for Clandestino
Free Music Review: Possibly politically interesting, but extremely dull musically
Hit: 1 Stars
I read all the glowing reviews of this album, and all I can say is that it must be the case that you have to speak Spanish to enjoy it. Judging by the merits of the music itself, there is not a single song on the entire CD that ventures outside of an elementary and predictable 3 chord progression - 1-4-5-1 (or for the minor songs, which almost all of them are, - 1-6-7-1). It's as if the composer had a single musical idea and used it to beat his listeners to death. Even the somewhat unusual instrumentation become maddening after hearing it for 16 songs in a row.
I can understand how someone might enjoy the overall style and rhythm, but that by itself doesn't make it high quality. In my opinion, if this weren't considered "World Music", it wouldn't have achieved anything near the apparent success it has.
Free Music Review: The King of Bongo Bong
Hit: 4 Stars
It's albums like this that prove beyond a doubt that our world is getting smaller. Clandestino blends languages as if they were instruments, leaving me waaaayyyyy behind in the comprehension department; I know about three words in French, and I guess I should have paid more attention in Spanish class. Fact is, Chao relies mostly on Latin rhythms with either European or Caribbean flavors, which means that there are times that this sounds like a collaboration between the Gypsy Kings and the Clash.
The Latin rhythms used here are not particularly inventive, but the production utilized to modernize them certainly is. Tracks feature voices buzzing in and out, like bar callers standing in the doorway of a very seedy looking dive. If you don't speak Spanish you'll be lost, but the message somehow transcends language. The content is almost certainly political, but my lingual abilities are too limited to determine if it's leaning to the left or to the right. Rather, it's the attitude expressed by the music (as well as the artwork of the booklet) that speak plainly from the left.
The melodies and rhythms used by Chao seem predictable, almost transparent, on first listen, but they grow addictive. "Lagrimas De Oro" ("Tears of Gold", I think), "Mama Call" and "Malegria" all sink in with a rhythmic persistence, while his use of the riff from "Tequila" (on "Welcome to Tijuana") is plainly satirical, and therefore amusing. On "Bongo Bong," Chao plays the role of a jungle dweller who heads into the city for fortune and fame, but ends up ignored by the masses. Nevertheless, he states that he is the self-proclaimed " king of Bongo Bong," so who am I to argue? B+ Tom Ryan
Free Music Review: THE TIME IS NOW FOR MANU CHAO
Hit: 5 Stars
It's a pity the UK record buying public is so biased towards foreign language albums, and you have to look in the 'World Music' section to find this superb album. I have to admit to being prejudice myself until going to Turkey and hearing a lot more foreign language music.
This is such an eclectic album, with Mexican, Cuban and Latin (and we are not talking Ricky Martin here!), and a dash of reggae all mixed up to form a wonderful sound. All the songs effortlessly blend together and there are plenty of 'hooks' and grooves that lodge themselves in your head! For most of the album I haven't got a clue what he's singing about, but when the music is this good, I don't really care. In summary, buy it!!
Free Music Review: acoustic latin pop w/ elements of reggae, ska, salsa, &more
Hit: 5 Stars
Manu Chao is, culturally and musically, a renaissance man. He has a strong affinity for comprehending universal states of humanity (heartache and struggle for justice) and translating them into a variety of idioms, both lyrical and musical. You don't need to be trilingual to be entertained and moved by this album. But after hearing its catchy amd down-to-earth rhythms, you'll want to learn more Spanish and French so that you can appreciate Chao's lyrical wit as well. I have heard _Clandestino_ countless times, and I still find elements to appreciate about it. One of the nicest things about it is that there are no silences between songs. A haunting ballad blends expertly into an uptempo beat, which blends into an equally harmonious melody. This disc is a classic of pop -- widely known in Latin America, Europe, Japan. Maybe not so well known in the USA. But still worthy of its success, I'd say. Free Music Review: more great music by Manu Chao
Hit: 4 Stars
This is a great album that I recommend to anyone looking for Latin, punk, or ska. Most of the album consists of catchy and rhythmic music, but there are a few tracks that get a bit repetitive, hence the imperfect rating. I would suggest an album by La Mano Negra, Manu Chao's former band, before you look into his solo career. While his solo work had some amazing music, it was less inspired and less original. If you're strictly looking for Manu Chao, this is definitely the best of his solo work. Enjoy!