Cautionary Wife Posted February 6, 2007 Share Posted February 6, 2007 THIS IS LONDON By David Smyth, Evening Standard 06.02.07 Falsetto heaven: showman Mika launched his album in a big top with circus acts and catchy tunes ----- Album review: Mika Life in Cartoon Motion (Casablanca) **** Occupying the top spot in the singles chart with the gloriously camp romp that is Grace Kelly, Mika has so far justified his presence in all those "ones to watch out for in 2007" lists. But an album is the real test of an artist's viability - and it's one the Lebanon-born singer has passed with ease, delivering consistently well-crafted pop tunes that buzz with energy. Combining the richness of Robbie Williams's low notes with a falsetto, Mika's vocal range is best shown on the upbeat, retro-flavoured Love Today, one of many potential hits. By the time he gets to Big Girl (You Are Beautiful), a bouncy tribute to fuller-figured women, it's clear that in the face of Mika's irrepressible sense of fun, resistance is futile. Chris Elwell-Sutton ------ Who'll be the stars of the arts in 2007? He has been billed as pop's greatest new showman, so it was only fitting that 23-year-old Mika Penniman should launch his debut album in a specially-erected circus tent. Currently number one for the fourth week with his first single, Grace Kelly, he looks certain to repeat the feat with his album, Life In Cartoon Motion, and celebrated that fact in the most colourful way possible. The crowd of competition winners was dotted with transvestites, other pop stars including Sophie Ellis-Bextor and The Feeling, a bearded lady and several people in monkey costumes. Candy floss, toffee apples, popcorn and balloon hats were all freely distributed. Support acts included various acrobats, carnival dancers in towering head-dresses and three schoolchildren playing Fifties rockabilly. So when he finally arrived Mika had to work hard to attract the crowd's notice amid all that colour, but attention-seeking seems to be a particular skill. Skittering showtune Grace Kelly pleaded "Why don't you like me?" over and over. The galloping disco of Love Today saw him insisting "You've got to love, love me" while bouncing up and down like an overjoyed puppy. Grinning broadly beneath rich black curls, the former member of the Royal Opera chorus sang mostly in a falsetto - not the heartbroken kind employed by Chris Martin or James Blunt, more of a Saturday night squeal. Classy house tune Relax, Take It Easy opened proceedings at a relatively sedate pace, but later Big Girl (You are Beautiful) fired the mood towards hen-do hysteria. Two women spilling out of blue corsets flanked the singer and waved their cowboy hats to a rubbery bassline that propelled another certain smash hit. Mika seemed unprecious about his abilities as a songwriter, always preferring catchiness over any more lasting qualities. This was music with less depth than an ashtray, the sugary chant of Lollipop in particular proving to be so throwaway, it was possible to move from adoring it to finding it deeply irritating in a matter of minutes. The odd slow moment dampened the celebratory mood but provided much needed changes of pace. Sparse piano ballad Ring Ring was nearly bleak enough to deflate all the balloons floating around. A soothing cover of Everybody's Talkin' by Mika's hero Harry Nilsson, another pop eccentric, indicated his likely future. He will not always be the chart ringmaster he is today, but there were enough intriguing diversions here to prove that he is no clown. --- CW. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jemmalee Posted February 6, 2007 Share Posted February 6, 2007 [quote name= Sparse piano ballad Ring Ring was nearly bleak enough to deflate all the balloons floating around. --- [/quote] This is quite a good representation but Mr jurno guy I think you'll find that Mika didn't sing Ring Ring last night and are confusing it with the beautiful over my shoulder, which was awesome btw! Get your facts right! rant over, my review is much better! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mika Mad Posted February 6, 2007 Share Posted February 6, 2007 Yep, yours certainly was much better, Jemmalee! I got much more of a sense of excitement and wonder reading your write-up than in his crummy review. I would have loved to have been there, so thank you for a great posting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pamette Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 Who'll be the stars of the arts in 2007? Yes! Who will be? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gatagordinha Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 [quote name=Cautionary Wife;4430 Album review: Mika Life in Cartoon Motion (Casablanca) **** Occupying the top spot in the singles chart with the gloriously camp romp that is Grace Kelly' date=' Mika has so far justified his presence in all those "ones to watch out for in 2007" lists. But an album is the real test of an artist's viability - and it's one the Lebanon-born singer has passed with ease, delivering consistently well-crafted pop tunes that buzz with energy. Game, set and match MIKA!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cath85 Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 Yes! Who will be? pamette is digging deep down in the old threads as I see Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FREDDIESDOUBLE Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 Well bumped Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gatagordinha Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 Only seven or eight weeks to go until Mika's second chart-topping single I have the faith! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pamette Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 Well bumped A huge bump in the early MFC! pamette is digging deep down in the old threads as I see Yeah! I should be worried! I will loose myself!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jemmalee Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 OMG This seems like years ago! not just six months What ever happened to CW anyway? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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