| CUSTOMER REVIEWS: | 5/5 - Brilliant
This is probably not the most accessible of the Mano Negra albums. When I bought it it took me a while to see what all the fuss was about. However now I rate it as their best album- in fact it's probably better than either of Manu Chao's superb solo efforts. This album marks a new departure for Mano Negra the French group comprising Manu Chao, his brother and cousin and a few of their Parisian friends. The first Mano album, Patchanka, introduced an alternative rock group half-way between the Clash and the Pogues. Diverse sounds, diverse influences- mainly punk, rockabilly, ska and a little bit of Latino at that stage. The second album, Puta's Fever, saw the group on a multinational label and enjoying considerable success in France, Spain, Japan and Latin America. The third album, King of Bongo, was dismissed by many critics, wrongly in my view. It contained less of the cheery party songs and more reference to the French chanson tradition. It also contained the hugely popular single 'Out of Time Man'. Following all this commercial success the group decided to take off to South America for two years of giving free concerts and exploring local musical traditions. Huge tensions erupted in the group, not least between the Chao brothers, Manu and Antoine ('Tonino'). But this venture into the unknown paid huge dividends. When the group came back to Europe they brought with them much more depth in their sound. The Latin influence in songs like the superb Senor Matanza was even more authentic and the album also featured the lead singer of the Argentinian band Todos tus muertos. An idea of the diversity is provided in the run of songs going from Mama Perfecta through to Sueno de Solentiname. Mama Perfecta was influenced by Colombian Cumbia. This led directly into the Clash inspired classic 'Love and Hate', sung in English, French and Spanish. That then becomes the very authentic sounding Jamaican reggae on 'She Drives Me Crazy' a song which ends with synthesised rat noises reminiscent of 'Down in the Sewer' by the Stranglers. This fed into 'Hamburger Fields' which closes with the 'I will **** you like a superman' reel from the end of the Beatles' Sargent Pepper album ('Strawberry Fields' oblige). The song then feeds into the brilliant danceable reggae of 'La Vida' which then feeds into 'Sueno de Solentiname' containing a brilliant dub bass line and a sound which wouldn't have been out of place on either of Manu's solo albums. On this album Mano Negra were no longer hiding behind their stage persona- for the first time the Chao brothers were refered to by their real names on the list of musicians. The musicianship on here is superb and the songs are varied. As someone once said: 'A splendid time is guaranteed for all'. This album is a must for all fans of alternative Latin music.
5/5 - EXCELLENT!!!
This is a mix of rithms and thoughs between Eurpoe and Latinamerica. This work reflects the reaility of LatinAmerica through songs like Senor Matanza. Excellent Job!
5/5 - Creeme, es increible
La primera vez que oi la voz de Manu (el cantador) fue en mi clase de espanol hace dos anos. Inmediatamente compre su disco solo "Clandestino" y lo amaba mucho. Por eso compre Casa Babylon, y ahora es uno de mis discos favoritos. Los ritmos son perfectos para las personas que les gusta bailar (como yo) y las letras tambien son muy buenas. Dos canciones son lentas e increibles, muy poderosas: "mama perfecta" y "sueno de solentiname," y las otras canciones son mas rapidas y igualmente fantasticas. A mi parece muy sofisticada, y hay muchisimos sonidos diferentes aunque el disco es muy unido. Otros grupos/artistas que me encantan: The Beatles, The Greatful Dead, Led Zeppelin, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, The Allman Brothers, y otros grupos americanos de los 60s y 70s (musica "hippie"). (lo siento por mi espanol ojala que no sea terrible)
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<br />The first time I heard Manu's voice was in my spanish class two years ago. I immediately bought his solo cd, Clandestino, and i loved it, so I bought "Casa Babylon" and now it's one of my favorite CDs. The rhythms are perfect for people who like to dance (like me) and the words are also really good. Two songs are slow and incredible, very powerful: "mama perfecta" and "sueno de solentiname" and the other songs are faster and just as fantastic. It seems very sophisticated and there are a lot of different sounds although the disc is very united. Other bands/artists I like: The Beatles, The Greatful Dead, Led Zeppelin, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, The Allman Brothers, and other American groups from the 60s and 70s ('hippie' music). |
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Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Last visit: 9/11/2009
