Customer Reviews
Brilliant in places but horribly flawed - By: David Johnson, 14 Apr 2008 
Manu Chao has always intrigued me. He makes extremely basic music with lyircs which are for the most part drivel - but his records are undeniably compelling. What makes Manu special is his inherant sense for a single chord & a line of Spanish or French that even those who flunked their GCSE can sing along to.
On Radiolina he's at it again, catering for those dreadlocked European backpackers who want their slice of world music. My problema with Chao is that he seems to insist on all this thinly veiled political rubbish. Does he really think he's making a statement with tracks like Tristeza Maleza & Raininin Paradise?
It's a shame because when he puts his mind to it he's capable of penning truly excellent songs about feeling lostin the world. "Me llaman Calle," is Chao at his absolute best. A string of fine songs followin the middle, the gentle, beautiful A cosa an example. Nevermind the often used multilingual trick he employs.
For me the standout track is La vida Tombola - a hauntingly beautiful number about the travails of Diego Maradona.
As on Chao's other albums there is a lot of track repetition - it's up to the listener to find a set of lyrics they like & stick to them.
This format for Chao's music is surely a little tired by now. I'm sure it won't stop people buying itin their droves though. Brilliantin some ways, terriblein others.
A reggae sense of urgency - By: Christian Jongeneel, 01 Feb 2008 
When I first listened to Radiolina I thought, Manu, you are starting to repeat yourself. But then I found myself listening to the album again & again, & started to wonder what made this such a compelling cd.
Even more than his previous work, this album exudes a sense of urgency - an emotion which isin delightful contrast with the dominant reggae rhythms. The beats are faster, there is less pause for slower songs. There is only one break between the songs, at a moment that strikes the listener as unsatisfactory. Manu then picks up the music once more, for a couple of more songs, & when silence strikes again, it leaves the audience (or me at least) with the feeling that this was a natural ending.
Maybe Manu is repeating himself, but how wonderfully does he do it.
Taxi For Chao - By: Coach007, 15 Nov 2007 
I discovered Manu Chao whilstin Vietnam backin 1999 courtesy of a 19 year old half French half Vietnamese girl with a cassette of Clandestino. I quickly came to appreciate what a fantastic album it was - with some very simple songs & riffs that just roll along.
Unfortunately for me its the comparison with Clandestino & knowing what Manu Chao is capable of that sticks the boot into La Radiolina, together with the disappointment of his live performance at the Brixton Academyin early October - think Bob Marley trying to be Joe Strummer at his most thrashy - it simply didn't work.
Many of the songs are faster & have more of a rock feel & whilst it's okin places I can't listen to more than a couple of tracks before I'm reaching for Clandestino or Amadou & Mariam's Dimanche.
So Mr Chao - it's time to trustin the music again - listen to some Marley, pick up the vibe & slow it down.
...and thankyou Ms Emery (wherever you are) for giving me Clandestino.
A different style, but clearly not a different quality... - By: Sophie Corbett, 07 Oct 2007 Once more, Manu Chao has outdone himself. His style is slightly different than before - leaning more towards anti-politics & rock than reggae & drugs. I adore his multilingual approach, & the content of his tracks give the audience, multilingual or not, something to think about. The quality of music is awesome. A must have not only for language students all over, but for people who adore good quality music & lyrics of a man who obviously puts heart & his soul into what he does.
Lighten up Natty Fred - By: Big Jim, 05 Oct 2007 What's not to like about this? Leave out the deep introspection & dance you boring old f@rt. You're falling into that old trap of thinking you are the only one worthy of "appreciating" an artist & the rest of us just don't get it. Your opinion is worthy but don't think it's the only one that counts. Mine is...only kidding. If this gets more people into "world" music then that is a good thing. It is up tempo, punky, & tappity feet time again....
