MIKA – LIFE IN CARTOON MOTION (2007)Oh don’t us Brits just love our camp Disco Pop stars ? For decades a long line of ambiguous icons have dominated the charts, and even international artists such as Scissor Sisters have been welcomed to our shores whilst remaining pretty unknown in their homeland. Their debut album sold almost 3 million copies in the U.K, 300,000 in the States, even though it was critically acclaimed (8.3 in Pitchfork). The reason for the reference to New York’s finest is that along with the sound of another failed American export Robbie Williams, you’ve got 90% of the Mika Penniman experience. The signs of stardom are already well catalogued for the North London based part Lebanese singer songwriter, having topped BBC’s Sound of 2007, and his radio friendly download only number one single “Grace Kellyâ€, it’s difficult to ignore his impact. Reportedly a vocalist who crosses five octaves, Mika’s influences transparently run through every moment of “Life In Cartoon Motionâ€, making for a flamboyant, but ultimately, sterile creation. The problem with this debut album doesn’t lie with the character of the performance, and in fact the singer possesses a vocal familiarity that comfortably connects with the listener. It’s all just so stylized in everyone else’s work, like a dot to dot, paint by numbers portrait of the aforementioned artists, along with a plagiaristic delve into the sonic world of Freddie Mercury and Elton John. The songs swing from listenable to gratingly annoying in an instant, exemplified by the opening salvo. Whilst “Grace Kelly†has the necessary hook, it’s followed by the grossly insidious cartoon imagery of “Lollipop†which no matter how one tries to polish over, is still dreadful. Whilst “My Interpretation†may be the best and probably most original moment from this collection, it’s followed by “Love Today†which bears all the hallmarks of a Scissor Sisters cutting room floor outtake. The album will of course sell mountains of copies, because it’s bright, hits all the right generic buttons, and is performed by a singer who is easy on the eye, and whilst Robbie Williams is on his drug induced hiatus, Mika may be the new heir to the Pop throne.Hopelessly unoriginal, “Life In Cartoon Motion†catalogues wholly derivative camp Pop schmaltz, delivered by a singer who howls like his balls are trapped in a lightly greased sandwich toaster. And the Brits just love their cheese toasties, so prepare for the long haul folks.5/10
Augusts1 says
" . . .delivered by a singer who howls like his balls are trapped in a lightly greased sandwich toaster." OUCH! Why don't you tell us how you really feel Jeff, hehehe!
I had seen the "Grace Kelly" vid/song & immediately thought god he sounds like Freddie Mercury. The vid is alot of fun though(although it's disturbing he's singing to a little girl, wtf?). Lollipop reminds me alot of "Faith" era George Michael(but so does the Grace Kelly song) . I can also hear the Scissor Sisters allusions in both songs but hadn't though of that the first time I'd heard Grace. It's fluff is all it is, although he does have a great voice.
Anonymous says
whoah...fun video and all but i don't like the fact they used a little girl as a ....uummmm....object of affection ? this video will cause a lot of.. controversy...controversy...controversy....
Jammy Jeff says
August - Yeah I agree about the video, it's a little weird. I was gonna upload more songs, but I guess these two represent both sides of the music.
Neill - Ofcourse !
Flowerpower - Yeah, you're right, it is odd.
Dompaczko - I know, and yet there's a lot of people in the UK that love him.
Michelle1982 says
Grace Kelly... yes, is a great song however I do have one reservation,... why the hell is mika singing this song to a little girl? (the 1 on the piano),.. it makes me wonder wtf is going on!!!!!! Any 1 else have the same thoughts?????
MIKA – LIFE IN CARTOON MOTION (2007)Oh don’t us Brits just love our camp Disco Pop stars ? For decades a long line of ambiguous icons have dominated the charts, and even international artists such as Scissor Sisters have been welcomed to our shores whilst remaining pretty unknown in their homeland. Their debut album sold almost 3 million copies in the U.K, 300,000 in the States, even though it was critically acclaimed (8.3 in Pitchfork). The reason for the reference to New York’s finest is that along with the sound of another failed American export Robbie Williams, you’ve got 90% of the Mika Penniman experience. The signs of stardom are already well catalogued for the North London based part Lebanese singer songwriter, having topped BBC’s Sound of 2007, and his radio friendly download only number one single “Grace Kellyâ€, it’s difficult to ignore his impact. Reportedly a vocalist who crosses five octaves, Mika’s influences transparently run through every moment of “Life In Cartoon Motionâ€, making for a flamboyant, but ultimately, sterile creation. The problem with this debut album doesn’t lie with the character of the performance, and in fact the singer possesses a vocal familiarity that comfortably connects with the listener. It’s all just so stylized in everyone else’s work, like a dot to dot, paint by numbers portrait of the aforementioned artists, along with a plagiaristic delve into the sonic world of Freddie Mercury and Elton John. The songs swing from listenable to gratingly annoying in an instant, exemplified by the opening salvo. Whilst “Grace Kelly†has the necessary hook, it’s followed by the grossly insidious cartoon imagery of “Lollipop†which no matter how one tries to polish over, is still dreadful. Whilst “My Interpretation†may be the best and probably most original moment from this collection, it’s followed by “Love Today†which bears all the hallmarks of a Scissor Sisters cutting room floor outtake. The album will of course sell mountains of copies, because it’s bright, hits all the right generic buttons, and is performed by a singer who is easy on the eye, and whilst Robbie Williams is on his drug induced hiatus, Mika may be the new heir to the Pop throne.Hopelessly unoriginal, “Life In Cartoon Motion†catalogues wholly derivative camp Pop schmaltz, delivered by a singer who howls like his balls are trapped in a lightly greased sandwich toaster. And the Brits just love their cheese toasties, so prepare for the long haul folks.5/10
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