dcdeb Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 Sounds like Philadelphia is ready for Mika! They like him! ---- Mika Mika, the London-based, primary-colored pop star born Mica Penniman in Beirut to American and Lebanese parents, makes his debut in the native city of the woman who inspired his breakout 2007 single. That would be "Grace Kelly," the movie star turned princess of Monaco whom Mika wished he could emulate, though "all her looks are too sad," while showing off his best Freddie Mercury moves. "Grace Kelly" was the high point of Life in Cartoon Motion, the piano man's most promising and stylistically varied debut. But the CD was positively busting with ear-grabbing pop smarts, and once Penniman figures out what kind of artist he is, the sky, or the top of the pop charts, will be the limit. - Dan DeLuca Mika at 8:30 p.m. Thursday at the Electric Factory, Seventh and Willow Sts. Tickets: $25. Phone: 215-336-2000, http://www.ticketmaster.com http://www.philly.com/inquirer/weekend/20080125_Concert_Previews.html -------------------------------------- Music critics' picks POP In the international arena of pop, the Beirut-born, London-based popster Mika reigned supreme last year with his five-million-selling debut album, "Life in Cartoon Motion." Mika's four-octave voice and playful, flamboyant songwriting got the guy early gigs in opera productions and begs for comparison to Robbie Williams and the late Freddie Mercury (the latter name- dropped in Mika's hit "Grace Kelly"). Having survived both a war-disrupted childhood and the snubs of Simon Cowell (who didn't "hear" his tunes), this 24-year-old is all about finding and celebrating yourself, be it in the flower-powered disco anthem "Love Today," the music-hall salute to a married man discovering his gayness ("Billy Brown"), the salty licks of "Lollipop" or his celebration of a plus-sized "Big Girl (You Are Beautiful"). In concert, Mika's been known to distribute cotton candy and flickering toys, but the guy's got gobs of sweetness and light unto himself. Electric Factory, 7th and Willow streets, 8:30 p.m. Thursday, $25, 215-336-2000, http://www.livenation.com. - Jonathan Takiff http://www.philly.com/dailynews/features/20080125_Music_critics_picks.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petra Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 thanks for posting! aww.. i wish i could go to the states for that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IngievV Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 Thanks for posting:thumb_yello: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vanessa Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 Thanks for posting !Nice opinions ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnaMariaPetra Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 In concert, Mika's been known to distribute cotton candy and flickering toys, but the guy's got gobs of sweetness and light unto himself. I like this quote, woohee:mf_lustslow: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
backflip_76 Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 Those were great, Deb! Thanks for sharing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Queenie Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 Thanks for posting, deb! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xlindee Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 I like this quote, woohee:mf_lustslow: I love that one too....woohee:naughty: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marilyn Mastin Posted January 26, 2008 Share Posted January 26, 2008 Sounds like Philadelphia is ready for Mika! They like him! ---- Mika Mika, the London-based, primary-colored pop star born Mica Penniman in Beirut to American and Lebanese parents, makes his debut in the native city of the woman who inspired his breakout 2007 single. That would be "Grace Kelly," the movie star turned princess of Monaco whom Mika wished he could emulate, though "all her looks are too sad," while showing off his best Freddie Mercury moves. "Grace Kelly" was the high point of Life in Cartoon Motion, the piano man's most promising and stylistically varied debut. But the CD was positively busting with ear-grabbing pop smarts, and once Penniman figures out what kind of artist he is, the sky, or the top of the pop charts, will be the limit. - Dan DeLuca Mika at 8:30 p.m. Thursday at the Electric Factory, Seventh and Willow Sts. Tickets: $25. Phone: 215-336-2000, http://www.ticketmaster.com http://www.philly.com/inquirer/weekend/20080125_Concert_Previews.html -------------------------------------- Music critics' picks POP In the international arena of pop, the Beirut-born, London-based popster Mika reigned supreme last year with his five-million-selling debut album, "Life in Cartoon Motion." Mika's four-octave voice and playful, flamboyant songwriting got the guy early gigs in opera productions and begs for comparison to Robbie Williams and the late Freddie Mercury (the latter name- dropped in Mika's hit "Grace Kelly"). Having survived both a war-disrupted childhood and the snubs of Simon Cowell (who didn't "hear" his tunes), this 24-year-old is all about finding and celebrating yourself, be it in the flower-powered disco anthem "Love Today," the music-hall salute to a married man discovering his gayness ("Billy Brown"), the salty licks of "Lollipop" or his celebration of a plus-sized "Big Girl (You Are Beautiful"). In concert, Mika's been known to distribute cotton candy and flickering toys, but the guy's got gobs of sweetness and light unto himself. Electric Factory, 7th and Willow streets, 8:30 p.m. Thursday, $25, 215-336-2000, http://www.livenation.com. - Jonathan Takiff http://www.philly.com/dailynews/features/20080125_Music_critics_picks.html That's great, and as to the first article. I think Mika is evolving. If you watch earlier footage of his concerts, then the later ones. It's all good, but it's getting grander. I don't think it's right, now, to compare him to people like Freddie Mercury. Freddie and his band didn't dance around in animal costumes like Mika and his band do! Also, Mika has made his own world of cartoon characters, and he writes songs to fit his characters, give them a story and make them come to life. No one else has ever done that before. Mika is not just a performer. He's created a complete new world, called Mikaworld! Love today, from Marilyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InfiniteGreen Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 I read the tidbit below in the Philadelphia Weekly on the subway to work today so thought I would add it to dcdeb's collection... I wonder if he and his band are here yet? Could we be breathing the same air already? I hope they are enjoying a delicious meal and relaxing at one of Philly's great restaurants... Mika Thurs., Jan. 31, 8:30pm. $25. With Midway State. Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St. 215.627.1332. http://www.livenation.com The sprightly cover art for Life in Cartoon Motion pretty much announces the aural aesthetic inside: It’s as if Rainbrow Brite vomited after a breakfast of Skittles, Lucky Charms and a hit of XTC. Brimming with “Up With People” chirpiness and squirming to wriggle out that octave-scaling falsetto, Mika arrives at your doorstep like a gay Jehovah’s Witness peddling power pop. (And, by the way, “Happy Ending” would not sound of place on gospel radio.) Yes, he’s vocally indistinguishable from Freddie Mercury; yes, his gushy camp is essentially biting the Scissor Sisters. But if you can’t get up for this faaabulous self-affirmation, you’ve got a cold and vile heart. (Michael Serazio) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gatagordinha Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 I read the tidbit below in the Philadelphia Weekly on the subway to work today so thought I would add it to dcdeb's collection... I wonder if he and his band are here yet? Could we be breathing the same air already? I hope they are enjoying a delicious meal and relaxing at one of Philly's great restaurants... Mika Thurs., Jan. 31, 8:30pm. $25. With Midway State. Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St. 215.627.1332. http://www.livenation.com The sprightly cover art for Life in Cartoon Motion pretty much announces the aural aesthetic inside: It’s as if Rainbrow Brite vomited after a breakfast of Skittles, Lucky Charms and a hit of XTC. Brimming with “Up With People” chirpiness and squirming to wriggle out that octave-scaling falsetto, Mika arrives at your doorstep like a gay Jehovah’s Witness peddling power pop. (And, by the way, “Happy Ending” would not sound of place on gospel radio.) Yes, he’s vocally indistinguishable from Freddie Mercury; yes, his gushy camp is essentially biting the Scissor Sisters. But if you can’t get up for this faaabulous self-affirmation, you’ve got a cold and vile heart. (Michael Serazio) Thanks I love the way these journos come up with ever more OTT ways to try and describe Mika's pop ethos . Sometimes it's so funny. vocally indistinguishable from Freddie Mercury?? Hardly!! I've never got the comparison myself.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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