`Historic', `sensational', `flamboyant' and `without-any-doubt original' are just some of the adjectives being thrown around by critics in praise of 22 year-old UK newcomer, Mika's eclectic debut album, Life In Cartoon ... more »Motion. Fun, smart, musically adventurous and thematically provocative, the songs on Life In Cartoon Motion, all of them written and produced by Mika, combine euphoric rushes of melody with darker unexpected elements. They range from bright daytime melodramas to night-time tales of love, loss, abandonment, hope and happiness. Each is a splendid blend of fresh imagination and deft pop craftsmanship. Album gems such as "Grace Kelly," "Lollipop," Billy Brown," and "Relax And Take It Easy," display Mika's innovative wordplay. `I've always respected people who make great records to their own vision,' writes the quixotic Mika. Mission accomplished!« less
`Historic', `sensational', `flamboyant' and `without-any-doubt original' are just some of the adjectives being thrown around by critics in praise of 22 year-old UK newcomer, Mika's eclectic debut album, Life In Cartoon Motion. Fun, smart, musically adventurous and thematically provocative, the songs on Life In Cartoon Motion, all of them written and produced by Mika, combine euphoric rushes of melody with darker unexpected elements. They range from bright daytime melodramas to night-time tales of love, loss, abandonment, hope and happiness. Each is a splendid blend of fresh imagination and deft pop craftsmanship. Album gems such as "Grace Kelly," "Lollipop," Billy Brown," and "Relax And Take It Easy," display Mika's innovative wordplay. `I've always respected people who make great records to their own vision,' writes the quixotic Mika. Mission accomplished!
Jennifer M. from RALEIGH, NC Reviewed on 11/10/2011...
My 3 year old daughter and I both LOVE Mika dance parties!
CD Reviews
Why Don't You Like Me?
Jason Stein | San Diego, CA United States | 03/28/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"When I saw the video for "Grace Kelly" back in January 2007 I sat up and paid attention. Who's this I said? He sounds like a cross between Elton John and Queen. In fact, he sounds a lot like Freddie Mercury. I have to get this. Alas, it was not yet availabe in the U.S., so I got it from the U.K. instead. It was not until today that I was allowed to post a review. After listening to it for 6+ weeks I have to say that it is easily one of the best debuts of 2007, and one of the strongest in recent memory.
Mika is apparently Lebanese born and Paris/London raised. He apparently was trained at the Lysee school of music in France. This is evident by the abundance of talent throughout the songs. He is clever, he is original and he is thankfully DIVERSE. "Grace Kelly", "Lollipop", "Love Today", "Relax (Take It Easy)", "Any Other World", "Billy Brown", "Big Girl (You Are Beautiful)" and "Happy Ending" are all solid songs.
After repeated listening I felt that not only does Mika remind me of 70's Elton John and Queen, but he also reminded me of the Bee Gees in terms of his abundant use of falsetto (which is more refreshing than it is grating). He also employs elements of The Beatles with the Eleanor Rigby-ish strings on "Any Other World".
The bottom line is "Life In Cartoon Motion" is cheap and the music is very good. Mika definitely seems like someone to watch in the future. Also you have probably already been exposed to his music via the Verizon telphone commercials on t.v. and in movie multiplexes which featured the song "Love Today". Already he's released three singles from "Life In Cartoon Motion"--"Relax (Take It Easy)", "Love Today" and "Grace Kelly" in Europe. "Grace Kelly" was a number one hit over there already along with "Life In Cartoon Motion". Now, if Mika could only conquer America. Probably not--too much hip hop garbage. But you could change that. Check out "Life In Cartoon Motion"."
Got to Love MIKA!!!
imago99 | Aurora, CO | 04/05/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Ok I'm probably not the target audience for this CD...if there even is one. I never really listened to Queen or any of the other people MIKA has been compared to, but I was hooked from the first time I heard Grace Kelly on the radio, and I bought the CD as soon as it came out.
It's probably the happiest saddest CD that I own which makes me love it more. MIKA deals with so many issues in his songs and presents them in such an amazing way. The part of you that may not want to like a song for whatever reason always loses to the part of you that just can't help loving it.
So yeah, MIKA has got a great voice, his songs are catchy and you'll have a blast singing along, the instrumentals are awesome, and to top it off the lyrics are fun yet serious and meaningful. All together it makes an amazing album."
Pure Genius!
P. Smith | Chicago, IL USA | 06/13/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This album is genius. I saw Mika in concert on Monday at the Chicago Metro. It was fun, incredible, and amazing! If you like this album, you have got to see his live performance. But, once you've seen him live, you'll want to see him again and when compared to the live performances, the studio versions of his songs seem flat. Now I can't wait for the live CD version!
P.S. To those of you who claim Mika's ripping off Freddy Mercury et al., get a dictionary, look up the word "homage," and learn to recognize the difference between a rip off artist and an artist honoring the spirit of a predecessor.
I was 18-20 when Queen was at its zenith. Mika's music doesn't merely recall that musical time or remind me of events that took place 20+ years ago, it makes me *feel* like I'm 20 again. How cool is that! The kid is a genius who deserves all the accolades we can give him (particularly since there doesn't seem to be enough payola flowing to the radio stations to get him much playtime)!"
Mika is simply the best to have arrived in years...
Lee Hanson | SE VA | 06/15/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Mika's lyrics are beautiful, his voice is unbelievable, his style is unequalled. And to top it off he is charming and beautiful. I'm 52 and I've joined a fan club for the first time. My neighbors must be crazy given how many times I have played it from beginning to end. There is not a weak song on the whole CD. In addition it is less expensive than almost anyone else.
There is simply no one like Mika."
This CD will make you HAPPY.
Karl Sowa | Los Angeles, CA United States | 03/03/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I bought the UK release on a friend's recommendation, and I have to say Mika is my favorite new artist of the past several years. Every time I listen to this CD, it just makes me *HAPPY*. People keep comparing Mika's voice to Freddie Mercury, but the music makes me think of a fresh new take on my favorite Erasure/Andy Bell songs from 15 years ago. This is happy pop at its best - catchy and fun, but with a quality and depth that bears listening to over and over."