MANU CHAO

LA RADIOLINA

2007-09-17

As the enfant terrible of Latin alternative music, Manu Chao once again creates a frenzy by mixing rock, punk, salsa, French pop ... and by bouncing from Spanish to French to English. Chao bleeds enthusiasm and creativity and, in his first studio album in six years, he foregoes traditional song structure (choruses, etc.) in favor of guitar scribble. Chao's anti-establishment, anarchist values are present in La Radiolina's 16 tracks (plus five bonus tracks). Track 3, "Politik Kills," is particularly potent, and track 7, "Tristeza Maleza" is a defiant message regarding "senor presidente." But this album is far from dismal. Track 3, the peppy "Rainin in Paradize," and track 7, the flamenco-inspired "Me Llaman Calle," are two danceable highlights. The accessability and worldwide popularity of Chao's work proves that no one blends protest and party quite like he does. - Sara Cosgrove

More reviews tagged #World

  • reviewed 08/2009

    K'NAAN
    Troubadour

  • reviewed 11/2006

    RODRIGO Y GABRIELA
    Rodrigo Y Gabriela

  • reviewed 05/2005

    Ali Farka Toure
    Red & Green

  • reviewed 01/2007

    HAZMAT MODINE
    Klezmer Blues

  • reviewed 05/2006

    Various Artists
    Congotronics 2 – Buzz ‘N’ Rumble From the Urb ‘N’ Jungle

  • reviewed 10/2010

    DE TEMPS ANTAN
    Les Habits De Papier

Compiled by the WYCE Journalism Club

The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.