Music : La Radiolina

Rating: - the best yet
Unlike many, I actually consider this to be Manu's strongest album yet. I love the way the alternation between styles- rock, latin and languages- Spanish, French and English makes for an album that constantly feels refreshing.

My favourite track was a surprise to me "Raining In Paradise" is a bit of an anthem. I also like "Politik Kills" for its punchy if naive lyrics, and "La Vida Es Una Tombola" which makes reference to Diego Maradona- even as a gay man who does not like football, I loved the beauty of this song.

No problem in giving this 5 stars.

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Rating: - Recycled
As others have remarked, Manu Chao is an international superstar whose charms have not been apparent to the CD buying public in the US or UK. So the question hanging over La Radiolina is whether this album can change all that and break Chao in the English speaking world. Those who like me come to this album unfamiliar with his earlier work but having heard 'Politik Kills' and 'Raining in Paradise' will I think be disappointed. It's not just that these are two of only three English language tracks (Chao also sings in Spanish, French and Italian), it's more that there is little else here that is that catchy or distinctive. The remaining songs themselves are simple cartoonish sketches, not just repetitive in themselves but also sharing lyrics, rhythms and melodies with other songs on this album and from earlier work, giving the impression of an artist who has either run out of ideas or simply can't be bothered to put in the work to come up with something new. Not a desperately bad album, just rather dull.

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Rating: - Brilliant in places but horribly flawed
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 and 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 and Rainin in Paradise?
It's a shame because when he puts his mind to it he's capable of penning truly excellent songs about feeling lost in the world. "Me llaman Calle," is Chao at his absolute best. A string of fine songs follow in 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 and 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 it in their droves though. Brilliant in some ways, terrible in others.

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Rating: - A reggae sense of urgency
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 and again, and 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 is in 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, and 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.

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Rating: - Taxi For Chao
I discovered Manu Chao whilst in Vietnam back in 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 and riffs that just roll along.

Unfortunately for me its the comparison with Clandestino and 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 Academy in 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 and have more of a rock feel and whilst it's ok in places I can't listen to more than a couple of tracks before I'm reaching for Clandestino or Amadou and Mariam's Dimanche.

So Mr Chao - it's time to trust in the music again - listen to some Marley, pick up the vibe and slow it down.

...and thankyou Ms Emery (wherever you are) for giving me Clandestino.