La Radiolina

iTunes Review

La Radiolina is the first release in six years by French-born singer/songwriter/guitarist Manu Chao, but that doesn’t mean he hasn’t been busy. More a live act than a recording artist for the past decade, he tours regularly around the world (particularly in Europe and Latin America where he has large and loyal fan bases) absorbing styles and sounds and mixing them into a cultural stew that is unforced and unique and includes vocals in several languages. Of the 21 tunes on La Radiolina nearly half run less than two minutes, and though a few of these vignettes sound similar enough to be interchangeable, overall the approach keeps the album moving along and gives it the feel of a complete work rather than just a collection of unrelated songs. Backed by a strong and versatile band, there are countless subtle touches that go a long way, including horns, assorted percussion, and layers of electronica and ambient sound. There’s also a ton of great guitar here ranging from crisp finger picking to driving, feedback drenched lead lines that add punch to the many rockers on the album. With its catchy melodies, impassioned, political lyrics, and swirl of Latin beats, Afrobeat, folk, and rock and roll, La Radiolina is another stunner by the multicultural troubadour.