Manu Chao - La Radiolina (Because)
4/5
By: Ailsa Caine
Manu Chao is a man with one foot rooted firmly in each of the hemispheres and a body of work which incorporates such a wide range of influences and languages that it has arguably done more for European and international relations than any recent political effort.
Such praise and yet Manu Chao has, for many years, only been a name familiar in student bedsits and the hearts and minds of part-time revolutionaries. Therefore it's worth hoping that 'La Radiolina' becomes the album to change all this; with a new company in charge of this latest release there now stands a glimmer of hope that music industry honcho's will push to give the album the airplay it deserves.
This deserved status is a result of Chao's ability to take on a number of musical guises and re-channel them through his own Hispanic background, producing a collection of perfectly packaged snippets of musical culture and ingenuity. As ever the songs on 'La Radiolina' are simple and unfussy but there is a range to their influences, from the up tempo flamenco-esque 'Me Llaman Calle', through a more rock flavoured 'The Bleedin' Clown', to the pared down beauty of 'Amalucada Vida', the album retains the elements of joy and mild chaos which makes Chao such a hit with live crowds.
'La Radiolina' will no doubt ensure Manu Chao stays in the hearts and minds of part-time revolutionaries and students, but now, here's hoping, also he'll infiltrate those of the Great British public.
Stream two tracks from 'La Radiolina' HERE.
Artists in this article: Manu Chao
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