Manu Chao - La Radiolina
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Free Music Notes for La Radiolina
Free Music Review: A Guide to "La Radiolina"
Hit: 4 Stars
This review is for those of you who don't know Manu Chao.
Manu is a 40+ year old world musician, who primarily sings in French and Spanish, but uses Catalan, Eastern European, and Middle Eastern tunes & rhythms in his music.
This album, "La Radiolina" is currently a huge sensation in Europe, primarily because it pays homage to so many varied European styles all on one album. Its great that he's slowly catching on within the United States, because this is another world musician (alongside Susheela Raman) who is huge in Europe but virtually unknown here. In France, this CD played tug of war for the No. 1 spot on the charts (it finally lost to Vanessa Paradis' incredible new CD "Divinidylle").
There are a few tracks worthy of mention. Prime amongst them are : "Panik Panik", "Otro Mundo", and "Piccola Radiolina" (which is more of an interlude, but what an amazing one it is!). I especially liked "Y Ahora Que?" and "Siberia". Manu's strength is fusion music, and he does it seamlessly over here. Some tracks just have a tune and rhythm but no vocal. Again, this works to his advantage. For years, Manu Chao used to cruise on his good looks to sell his albums - although he was talented. Its great to see that as he gets older, he's investing more thought and preparation into his music. This CD is his best yet.
Heres the thing - this album is severely underrated and unknown within the US. If you're a true lover of world fusion music, get this now. Its unlikely to be topped this year.
Also, if you liked this, do check out "33 1/3" by Susheela Raman, "Vol 2 : Release" by Afro Celt Sound System, and "Gold" by Noa. All three are essential world music albums you need to have in your collection.
Free Music Review: Manu Chao La Radiolina
Hit: 5 Stars
amazing high energy album- really captures Manu's live energy- what can I say- the man is brilliantFree Music Review: No surprises. Once again, this one is GREAT too!
Hit: 5 Stars
Unlike the other 3 albums by Manu Chao, La Radiolina took me a few listening to get used too. The good thing about this album is that (once again) even if you don't understand all the lyrics, the pleasure is throughout the entire ride. I highly recommend getting this album as well as all his 3 other albums. He is defiantly a very talented musician (and political too, by the way).
ENJOY!!
Free Music Review: La Radiolina - Recommended
Hit: 4 Stars
If you like the diversity of Manu Chao's music, you will enjoy La Radiolina. His orphans - his description of those musical sounds that pepper his songs - are present throughout the album. My only disappointment is that my favorite orphan, that pito/whistle that is featured prominently in "Denia," "La Valse à Temps," and others is present only once: In "El Kitapena" (0:03 and 0:34). The sirens and trumpets are here as is his newest addition to the family: the video game sample.
"Tristeza Maleza" has a melancholic undertone, particularly when he sings: "Y chore, y chore, y chore" (and I cried, and I cried, and I cried). It is the concluding line of his haunting song, "Siberie," one of his best songs, in my opinion.
"Politik Kills" features a guitar hook that gives the song its swagger, but the soft melodic trumpet reigns it in. There is no mistaking his political awareness in this song, which in my view makes him an important artist to support.
"Me Llaman Calle," a song he wrote for the movie Princesas is a musical departure from the songs that precede it. Caye is a prostitute in the aforementioned movie and appears to be the subject of this song - or at least, its inspiration. She is the woman who is like a little machine walking up and down the city streets awaiting the johns ("como makinita por la gran cuidad") It is a tender song about her struggles and hopes.
"A Cosa" features Tonino Carotone (of "Me Cago en el Amor" fame and whose song I highly recommend). "A Cosa" incorporates the trumpet melody from "Djanfa." I also detect a new orphan here: The two-beat keyboard bit that is played in the latter half of the song. It is featured prominently in "Amalucada Vida."
"The Bleedin Clown" is reminiscent of Iggy Pop's "Cry for Love." I would not be surprised if this song influenced its structure. If you enjoy Pop's song, you will more than likely appreciate this one.
"Otro Mundo" is lyrically reminiscent of Mano Negra's "Sueño de Solentiname" and features the lyrical orphan: "Calavera no llora. No tiene corazón," which he sings in Próxima Estación. It is one of the most peaceful songs on the album.
"Amalucada Vida." This song alone is worth the price of the album. You cannot help but swivel your hips to "woe woe woe." Its beauty is its simplicity.
Manu Chao's facility with language (there are approximately five different languages on this album) and his creative use of musical orphans continues to amaze me. If you have enjoyed his previous work, you will find something in La Radiolina that will suit your tastes.
Free Music Review: Great sound
Hit: 5 Stars
There's no doubt that Manu Chao evolutioned his sound, and still staying recongnizable and familiar to his crowd. Compared to "Ultima Estacion Esperanza" this production has a lot more emphasis on guitar and bass and less sampling, reminding us his days with Mano Negra. The lyrics remain political and melancholic.