Life in Cartoon Motion [Bonus Track] Mika

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CD

  • Release Date: 03/27/2007
  • Sales Rank: 1,295
  • Label: CASABLANCA
  • UPC: 602517205871

Listener Rating: (13 ratings)

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  • Overview
  • Tracks
  • Editorial Reviews
  • Customer Reviews
  • Details & Credits
Track List
Click on LISTEN or link to hear an audio clip.
To listen to samples you'll need a Windows Media Player

Life in Cartoon Motion [Bonus Track]

1LISTENGrace Kelly / Mika Bomb 3:07
2LISTENLollipop / Mika Bomb 3:03
3LISTENMy Interpretation / Mika Bomb 3:35
4LISTENLove Today 3:55
5LISTENRelax (Take It Easy) / Mika Bomb 3:44
6LISTENRing Ring / Mika Bomb 3:37
7LISTENAny Other World / Mika Bomb 4:19
8LISTENBilly Brown / Mika Bomb 3:14
9LISTENBig Girl (You Are Beautiful) / Mika Bomb 4:08
10LISTENStuck in the Middle / Mika Bomb 4:08
11LISTENErase / Mika Bomb 3:38
12LISTENHappy Ending / Mika Bomb 10:21

About this Artist

Editorial Reviews

Mika's vivid, aptly named debut album, Life in Cartoon Motion, borrows and builds on the glittery, glamorous, and not-so-secretly sentimental musical territory carved out by Elton John and Freddie Mercury, or more recently, Rufus Wainwright and the Scissor Sisters. Fortunately, his name-dropping, shape-shifting pop is usually good, and genuine, enough to come across as eloquent homage rather than blatant thievery or a tired rehash. Mika's singles are his most charming moments, especially the instant sunshine of "Grace Kelly," which crams tap-dancing rhythms, filmic dialogue, Elton's pianos, Freddie's vocal harmonies, and Brian May's guitars into just over three minutes. "Relax (Take It Easy)" is in the same vein of hypnotic, danceable melancholy as the Scissor Sisters' reworking of "Comfortably Numb," albeit less showy, while "Billy Brown"'s brass arrangement, flowing melody, and soft-shoe rhythms give it the feel of an unusually witty show tune about pre-life crises and living in the closet. As Life in Cartoon Motion unfolds, it reveals more of Mika's musical identity, both for better and worse. His classical piano training gives the album an appealing fluidity, especially on "Any Other World," and lilting, Afro-pop-inspired guitars and harmonies pop up here and there, most effectively on "Big Girl (You Are Beautiful)." However, while Life in Cartoon Motion has lots of enthusiasm and creativity, it doesn't have a lot of nuance. On songs like "Lollipop" and "Love Today," Mika straddles the line between adorable and annoying. And as the overly long, overwrought "Erase" shows, he also doesn't have quite the masterful touch with gentler songs that his influences possess. As admirable as Life in Cartoon Motion's eclecticism is, it could use more focus -- something that songs like the jaunty breakup song "Stuck in the Middle" and angry rocker "Ring Ring" suggest Mika is developing. While more restraint could've taken the album from good to great, its Technicolor, everything-at-once, borderline overdone feel makes it a fitting portrait of Mika as a young artist. Heather Phares, All Music Guide

Customer Reviews

Life in Cartoon Motion [Bonus Track]by Anonymous

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July 01, 2008: I've had this album in my collection since March of '07, and I have to say that of the more recent CDs I own, this has got to be my favorite, or at least one of my favorites. Honestly, there are some quirky songs here that are sure to put a smile on any appreciative listener's face, such as "Lollipop," "Big Girl (You Are Beautiful)," and the one song that encouraged me to buy this CD in the first place, "Love Today." I especially feel sorry for the title character of "Billy Brown," even though part of me wants to grab the poor sot by the shoulders and shake some sense into him at the same time. Similarly, the ballads are very poignant and thought- and emotion-provoking, most notably "Any Other World" and the ironically titled "Happy Ending." I also like how Mika took the introductory tune to Cutting Crew's classic "(I Just) Died In Your Arms" and worked it into a happening disco groove called "Relax (Take It Easy)," as it really shows where he received his inspiration from. All in all, nitpicking an excellent album like this would be an insult to such a gifted young man, and I look forward to listening to additional compositions from him in the future.

Life in Cartoon Motion [Bonus Track]by Anonymous

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April 29, 2008: i love everysingle song of this album!!!


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