Mano Negra - Classic or Dud

Outside of one 8 year old thread I haven't heard anyone talk about these guys. Basically they are a Euro version of the Clash, technically from France but they sing in Spanish and English as well (maybe even Arabic on the incredible "Sidi H' Bibi"). It seems they were quite popular in many regions but I haven't heard anything of them in America. IMO they're definitely classic, particularly Puta's Fever and the live album (I haven't heard Casa Babylon yet, but the other studio albums have been decent). Anyone else?

Some discussion on the Manu Chao threads also:

Manu Chao - Classic or Dud

Mala Vida is an all-time classic. I never really got into the albums as much as the singles. Should probably revisit them.

Basically they are a Euro version of the Clash

In what universe? Sorry, maybe they are, but I can't hear it.
Then again, I hate MN.

IMO they have a pretty similar sound, obviously with more of a Latin/hip hop influence but their base is rock/ska with a lot of reggae and dub experimentation, plus the vocals are fairly similar.

Listened to Puta's Fever on cassette about 1000 times in the early nineties. Haven't kept up with solo Chao but would love to hear Puta's again...

Clash comparison valid IMO.

especially w/r/t that album. Puta's Fever reminds me a lot of London Calling (obviously shorter but with the same amount of songs) but IMO the one-two punch of "Sidi H' Bibi" and "The Rebel Song" beats out anything on the latter. I'm relistening to the live album and I think it may be their best single release. Theres almost no room to breathe on that thing, everything segues into everything else and they play "Mano Negra" 4 times.