soon-to-bemrs.penniman Posted February 22, 2008 Share Posted February 22, 2008 One thing you can say for the organizers of the Brit awards, Britain's version of the Grammys: they sure know how to throw a party. In putting together Wednesday night's ceremony, they followed all the rules: Photos Brit Awards 2008 London hosts a night of music and glamour at Britain's biggest music awards 1) Mix up the guest list. Invite some of the popular people that everyone else can't help but like (Paul McCartney, Kylie Minogue); Add some folks who are quirky enough to amuse but not so bizarre they creep people out (Amy Winehouse, Gossip's Beth Ditto); and then toss in a few of the too-cool-to-care crowd to sit in a corner, get drunk and mock the whole affair (Arctic Monkeys). 2) If the music's no good, give them plenty else to look at: every performance should come with lasers, fireworks, odd costumes and moving sets. It's all about distraction, distraction, distraction. Except when it comes to Amy. Don't mess with Amy. 3) Don't let anyone outshine the host. To be fair, with the Osbourne family doing the MC'ing, the Brit committee hardly needed to worry about that last point. We would have happily watched Ozzy, Sharon, Kelly and Jack for the whole two hours — presenting the awards, accepting the awards, performing all the musical numbers — just to see what rock's wackiest family was going to do next. Would Sharon swear? (Naturally.) Would Ozzy mess up his lines? (Yep, both of them.) Would Kelly and Jack fight? (Alas, no.) Would Kelly and Sharon? (Almost�) Getting four family members, all born-and-bred attention seekers, together on stage was a stroke of evil genius. Ozzy spent the whole evening grinning and waving into the audience, Sharon hyper-enthused like a game show host on speed and Jack looked mortified at having to hang out with his parents. In a family of black sheep, it was Kelly who stood out. Casual, cheerful and poised, she was the glue that held the show together, however precariously. The Brit awards, the biggest night in the British music industry, differ from the Grammys in one big way: they are unashamedly patriotic. There are two sets of awards, one for British artists and one for international artists, i.e. everyone else. Which means that while a British singer like Winehouse can sweep the boards at the Grammys, you'll never see an American artist taking home more Brit awards than the British nominees: there are twice as many British-only prizes as international ones. But this isn't about Britain protecting its own; it's about celebrating the specific strengths of the British music industry. After all, the world already has the Grammys, with more money, publicity and recognition than any other music awards can hope to muster. You can try to compete in the world arena — and lose — or you can stay home and try to have some fun. And so it was that the Arctic Monkeys took home Best British Group and best British Album for Favorite Worst Nightmare. The Sheffield quartet is known for boycotting the Brits in previous years — maybe, just maybe, because it used to be a dry ceremony. Their first award came early in the night, but by the time it came for them to collect for best album, the organizers may have regretted lifting the no alcohol rule. Watching Sharon and Kelly trying to corral four drunk 20-somethings towards the podium was, in the words of sponsor Mastercard, priceless. It was a twofer for the Foo Fighters, also, who picked up gongs for Best International Group and Best International Album for Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace, beating out bands like Arcade Fire and Eagles. The award for British Female Solo Artist went to witty singer-songwriter Kate Nash, while Kylie was crowned best International Female Solo Artist, reminding a nation that has so fully embraced her as one of its own that she is, in fact, Australian. International Male Solo artist went to Kanye West, who's riff on humility — "it doesn't feel natural, but I hear it works for a lot of celebrities" — made for one of the funniest speeches of the night. And super-producer Mark Ronson won British Male Solo Artist, ignoring the fact that he only ever does collaborations — Winehouse, Lily Allen and Robbie Williams have all worked with the preternaturally youthful producer. (And before you ask, Winehouse didn't win anything because she wasn't up for anything: her Back to Black album that so wowed Grammy voters earlier this month came out in Britain in 2006, so she felt the love at last year's Brits.) It all fell apart, though, during the awards for best British Live Act and British Single. In a misguided attempt at inclusiveness, the public votes for these, so instead of being a barometer of quality, the awards are all about the size of a band's fanbase. Which is how Take That — the '90s boy band that came back from oblivion a few years ago minus their most famous member, Robbie Williams — beat the likes of Muse and The Kaiser Chiefs for British Live Act and triumphed in the best British Single category. They may as well have called them "The Band Most Likely to Scare Your Parents" award and the "Most Fans Who Can Be Bothered to Vote For This Award" award. Sometimes, democracy is no good thing. Thankfully, Take That didn't take to the stage to try to justify their best live act win. The artists who did were many things — thrilling, confusing, off-key — but never boring. With help from Klaxons (whose wardrobe could only be described as futuristic Navajo) Rihanna performed a dark, brooding emo-dance version of her hit Umbrella. On the opposite end of the pop spectrum, Kylie's rendition of her latest single Wow was all bright and shiny, totally making up for the unfortunate Joan Rivers-esque hairstyle and a dress so slinky the only dancing she could manage was a side-to-side shoulder shrug. British Breakthrough Act winner Mika — as always, channeling Freddie Mercury — opened the show with a greatest-hits medley that took in three different set changes and a guest appearance by Beth Ditto. And the evening ended with another medley, this one by Paul McCartney, who was there to pick up the Outstanding Contribution to Music award. Looking chipper despite having spent the last week in court wrestling with Heather Mills for his millions, McCartney did what he does best: he entertained. What started with Paul and his ukulele doing Dance Tonight ended with Paul, a piano and the population of London's Earl's Court Arena doing Hey Jude in what was essentially a giant pub sing-along. But the night belonged to Winehouse, who sang two songs, even though she wasn't up for any awards. Her snippet of Valerie with Mark Ronson was technically brilliant, but the fresh-out-of-rehab singer just couldn't engage, not with Ronson, not with the audience and not with the song. Staring out into the middle-distance most of time, she was just phoning it in. But back on stage half an hour later was a whole other Winehouse. On a set stripped bare — just her, her band and a red velvet backdrop — she belted out Love is a Losing Game in that raw, smoky way she does, making eyes at the TV cameras and sucking the audience into her fragile, tortured world. She may not have picked up a Brit, but she was rewarded with the loudest applause of the night. Winning, it seems, isn't everything. http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1715175,00.html can't they think of anything else?? comment on the spider or the wardrobe or the hair or the height anything but the same Freddie Mercury comment:thumbdown: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gatagordinha Posted February 22, 2008 Share Posted February 22, 2008 Yep, enough of the Freddie comparisons already! I'm sick of it (never saw it anyway really) and so is Mika and so is everyone with a brain. Thanks for posting, That's a pretty accurate write-up of the Brits I'd say! I don't agree that Amy W. stole the show though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akim Posted February 22, 2008 Share Posted February 22, 2008 Well apparently Falsetto=Freddie Mercury and therefore = Mika:mf_rosetinted: Ummm...I thought that Amy Winehouse did have the best live act on stage that night (definitely NOT with Mark Ronson) but on her own- yes she twitches a lot (she can't dance; you can't have everything) but you can't beat that voice, "Love is a losing game" was heart breaking to listen to- I think the authors description was very accurate. (The artists who did were many things — thrilling, confusing, off-key — but never boring- I must admit I was thinking of Mika at this point ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marilyn Mastin Posted February 22, 2008 Share Posted February 22, 2008 Yep, enough of the Freddie comparisons already! I'm sick of it (never saw it anyway really) and so is Mika and so is everyone with a brain. Thanks for posting, That's a pretty accurate write-up of the Brits I'd say! I don't agree that Amy W. stole the show though. Amy Winehouse didn't steal anything. Mika stole the show. I'm so ready to strangle the living daylights out of everyone who keeps up this Freddie Mercury comparison. What is wrong with these people!? If Freddie was still alive, and had appeared on The Brits, he would have given a wonderful performance, but it wouldn;t have been like Mika's performance. Mika's performances and sets are so HIM. When are people going to realise that Mika is unique! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giu Posted February 22, 2008 Share Posted February 22, 2008 When are people going to realise that Mika is unique! :thumb_yello: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soon-to-bemrs.penniman Posted February 22, 2008 Author Share Posted February 22, 2008 Yep, enough of the Freddie comparisons already! I'm sick of it (never saw it anyway really) and so is Mika and so is everyone with a brain. Thanks for posting, That's a pretty accurate write-up of the Brits I'd say! I don't agree that Amy W. stole the show though. i thought it was a good summary too i felt like i saw the whole thing without having to actually watch it:blink: ^(that made no sense whatsoever:naughty: ) oh, and you're welcome:thumb_yello: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarah90 Posted February 22, 2008 Share Posted February 22, 2008 only one sentence for mika???? ....i guess it is better than nothing...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mandilambi Posted February 22, 2008 Share Posted February 22, 2008 The Freddie comparisions are definitely getting old....but I guess if there were anyone I would want them to compare him to at all...it would be Freddie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkly1 Posted February 23, 2008 Share Posted February 23, 2008 I think they are just lazy and feel the need to compare him with somebody and Freddie is the closest thing for them I guess, Mika is Mika and he does have a lot of stage presence like Freddie and at least he is getting compared to someone awesome, which is bareable I guess lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
backflip_76 Posted February 23, 2008 Share Posted February 23, 2008 Yep, the Freddie thing gets older each time I hear it. But the rest of the article was a good read. The parts about the Osbournes and the Arctic Monkeys were funny. Thanks for sharing, Steph! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soon-to-bemrs.penniman Posted February 23, 2008 Author Share Posted February 23, 2008 Yep, the Freddie thing gets older each time I hear it. But the rest of the article was a good read. The parts about the Osbournes and the Arctic Monkeys were funny. Thanks for sharing, Steph! you're welcome:cheerful_h4h: i saw this article about the brits on time.com and i was thinking 'they better mentionmikatheybettermentionmika!, he was the opening, they can't possibly ignore him:mad3: " and they did it was a good read too:cheerful_h4h: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suzie Posted February 23, 2008 Share Posted February 23, 2008 ok, I have to reply just because Freddie's name was mentioned... 1., It appeared in the Time magazine, so the Freddie comparison is not doing Mika any bad... He is basically unknown in the States... 2., Freddie himself was compared to Mick Jagger a lot at the beginning of his career and he was pretty cool about it - just like Mika about the Freddie thing. (Mika has also been compared to Mick Jagger by the way...) 3., Mika is NOT being compared to Freddie because of his falsetto.... In fact, he sounds like Freddie in the lower ranges and when he shouts...etc. But most importantly, LICM sounds very much like Queen in 70s - anyone with an ear can hear that ( I even tested it on some people and one of them even thought LICM was an unreleased Queen LP.. ) At the same time, he has 3 songs (1 unreleased) with parts that sound exactly like particular parts in particular Queen songs.. I can show it to anyone interested in person, not putting it here, because I don't want to stir up trouble, and these songs were among his first ones, so I forgive him. 4., This comparison thing will fade away. Just because we don't like it any more, we have to let people just discovering him compare him to whoever they like... You cannot explain music when you are writing an article, so you need to compare... and it's always better if they compare his songwriting to a legend than his hairstyle to some weirdo... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pam Travers Posted February 23, 2008 Share Posted February 23, 2008 ok, I have to reply just because Freddie's name was mentioned... 1., It appeared in the Time magazine, so the Freddie comparison is not doing Mika any bad... He is basically unknown in the States... 2., Freddie himself was compared to Mick Jagger a lot at the beginning of his career and he was pretty cool about it - just like Mika about the Freddie thing. (Mika has also been compared to Mick Jagger by the way...) 3., Mika is NOT being compared to Freddie because of his falsetto.... In fact, he sounds like Freddie in the lower ranges and when he shouts...etc. But most importantly, LICM sounds very much like Queen in 70s - anyone with an ear can hear that ( I even tested it on some people and one of them even thought LICM was an unreleased Queen LP.. ) At the same time, he has 3 songs (1 unreleased) with parts that sound exactly like particular parts in particular Queen songs.. I can show it to anyone interested in person, not putting it here, because I don't want to stir up trouble, and these songs were among his first ones, so I forgive him. 4., This comparison thing will fade away. Just because we don't like it any more, we have to let people just discovering him compare him to whoever they like... You cannot explain music when you are writing an article, so you need to compare... and it's always better if they compare his songwriting to a legend than his hairstyle to some weirdo... wow, thanks for posting, it's really interesting!! Has he been compared to Jagger? Really?? Mika I mean.Come on!!Who wrote that?? I didnt no that freddie had been compared to Jagger btw... it must all be about the energy on stage and stuff... At the beginning I really couldnt understand the comparison with Mercury AT ALL but then I heard the demos and it became all clear it does sound like Queen sometimes...but honestly I would compare him to other musicians/singers but not to queen at the first place...really and i'm interested in those songs you mentioned... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaurora Posted February 23, 2008 Share Posted February 23, 2008 At the same time, he has 3 songs (1 unreleased) with parts that sound exactly like particular parts in particular Queen songs.. I can show it to anyone interested in person, not putting it here, because I don't want to stir up trouble, and these songs were among his first ones, so I forgive him. Which songs are these Suzie? I have all his demos etc but just wondering what songs you think sound more like Queen? Is one L0verboy? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suzie Posted February 23, 2008 Share Posted February 23, 2008 Which songs are these Suzie? SITM, IM and the demo you mentioned:wink2: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suzie Posted February 23, 2008 Share Posted February 23, 2008 wow, thanks for posting, it's really interesting!! Has he been compared to Jagger? Really?? Mika I mean.Come on!!Who wrote that?? I didnt no that freddie had been compared to Jagger btw... it must all be about the energy on stage and stuff... Yes, it must be about energy and jumping up and down like a Duracell bunny... It was in the interview on Good Morning America... the guy compared him to FM, Mick Jagger and George Michael - all at once and to his face... I think in the States the first 2 comparisons are complementary ....(to me, the last one also is) If I were a presenter, I would also use comparisons to great singers / songwriters only because I would want people to pay attention to this boy... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaurora Posted February 23, 2008 Share Posted February 23, 2008 SITM, IM and the demo you mentioned:wink2: Ahh, thanks LB to me is very Queenly - but I have to say I was never a fan of Freddie Mercury OR Queen but of course I know the music. Who doesn't Even if Mika's music evolves he will always be known to the press as channeling Freddie. Just like he will always be known as sexually coy or suspected gay. The press are unable to move away from those descriptions as they lack the knowledge to come up with new things Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suzie Posted February 23, 2008 Share Posted February 23, 2008 .... The press are unable to move away from those descriptions as they lack the knowledge to come up with new things Perhaps with the new album:cool: (Actually, HMDYLM reminds me of Wham! sound, though not any exact melody, luckily, just the do do do do ) .. However, I do think he is unique and the comparisons will stop as soon as he is a household name everywhere... I cannot wait for the new album now.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milou Posted February 23, 2008 Share Posted February 23, 2008 "Most Fans Who Can Be Bothered to Vote For This Award" award. hahaha I loved this, so true. Altough Mika actually has a bothered fanbase also OUTSIDE the uk who couldn't vote by phone, unlike thake that, I think. So that makes it "Most British Fans Who Can Be Bothered To Vote For This Award" award. I've never quite felt the whole Mercury thing, but that might just be because he died just about two months after I was born. Maybe he thought it was time for another legend:mf_rosetinted: Kidding, Kidding ofcourse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pam Travers Posted February 24, 2008 Share Posted February 24, 2008 Yes, it must be about energy and jumping up and down like a Duracell bunny...It was in the interview on Good Morning America... the guy compared him to FM, Mick Jagger and George Michael - all at once and to his face... I think in the States the first 2 comparisons are complementary ....(to me, the last one also is) If I were a presenter, I would also use comparisons to great singers / songwriters only because I would want people to pay attention to this boy... duracell bunny...lol yeah if I was a presenter i would compare him to H.Nilsson i know it's alot of honour but mika has the same particular way of singing, only mika could have covered everybody's talking...nilsson is so underrrated because he wasnt THAT "hot" like mika, it's totally stupid and pathetic... also I would compare him to supertramp for the pop stuff and bob dylan for reasons no one could possibly understand but me.... the grace kelly demo is really queenist... lol@they compared him to mercury and michael... it seems like they are stuck on the sexuality orientation... how pathetic...really Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgpm Posted February 24, 2008 Share Posted February 24, 2008 I was attracted to Mika precisely because he reminded me of Freddie. I love Queen. I do see the connection. I think he's his own person, he's different, but I enjoy him in the same way I enjoy Freddie. There's a lot worse to be compared to. Mick...oh please....he looks like the back end of a horse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teddycherrycat Posted February 24, 2008 Share Posted February 24, 2008 There's a lot worse to be compared to. Mick...oh please....he looks like the back end of a horse. exactly!!! and george michael !!!!! for christ sake Mick is/was definitely high on drug or something Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pam Travers Posted February 24, 2008 Share Posted February 24, 2008 Mick...oh please....he looks like the back end of a horse. what??! Mick is totally attractive to me!!! back to 76 he would be my lover...the way he moves, his lips... well it would be a dilemna between him and bowie though... the two sexiest men alive... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAK1 Posted February 24, 2008 Share Posted February 24, 2008 Just a point going sightly off topic, Sir Paul was playing a mandolin not a ukelale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pam Travers Posted February 24, 2008 Share Posted February 24, 2008 Just a point going sightly off topic, Sir Paul was playing a mandolin not a ukelale. LMao who said it was a ukulele?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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