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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Quintal on February 23, 2007, at 11:36:06
I can honestly say that I've never sat and listened riveted through every song on an album in one sitting, even those by my favourite artists of all time, but I did after downloading Mika's debut album onto my ipod. I've been seeing him in the papers for a while. I guessed he might be French from his appearance, and as it turns he did spend some of his childhood in Paris, but he was born in Beirut, Lebanon.
It seems he had a difficult childhood and some experiences I can relate with;
__________________________________________________“It was the combination of moving as well as a horrible time I had at school in the first few years of living in London that lead me to forget how to read and write, and stop talking for a little while. I was pulled out of school for over six months; in order to sort my self out and find a new school. This is when music really became important. It got me back on my feet.”
After near complete social exclusion at school - “I wish I could say I was a self-imposed loner but it was imposed on me” - this was a life he fell in love with, instantly:
“It was a magical world that you could live in. A parallel universe for people that is illusory and enchanting and amazing.”
For the last 12 years of his life he has followed his maxim of a parallel universe to its natural conclusion and is now about to present his dynamic, idiosyncratic and unashamedly personal debut album. Brimming with brightly-hued melody, engaging hooks and a distinct lyrical style that speaks exactly and distinctly of its moment, he has finally been given an outlet for his unique vision.
http://www.mikasounds.com/uk.php
__________________________________________________I love him!
(((Mika)))
Q
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on February 23, 2007, at 12:36:27
In reply to Mika, posted by Quintal on February 23, 2007, at 11:36:06
Hello Q!
Well I was just lamenting on social, that alot of us here with mental troubles tend to have had 'bad' childhoods - I, for a fact, hated mine utterly and couldn't wait to grow up. Well. Then I grew up and have terrible mental problems! Great!
Anyway.
Mika.....it does sound quite cool actually, I sampled a few on the iTunes store. Not really to my tastes - he's abit to sugary and happy - but I can see how its good. I prefer depresso-genic bands myself, I think The Bends by Radiohead is my all time favourite album. Oh well. But Mika is pretty refreshing and I do like his sound actually.
Mika is a Finnish name BTW, although he doesn't appear to have any connections!
I expect my trendy brother in Milano will like him.
Having said that, I can't stop listening to Concessions on a dancefloor, by Ms Madonna. I'm such a hypocrite!
Miss Meri
Posted by Quintal on February 23, 2007, at 12:39:49
In reply to Mika, posted by Quintal on February 23, 2007, at 11:36:06
Most of it's actually a little 'blahic' and unfocussed, but I was sucked in by the track 'Lollipop' (no, I didn't intend that as a pun - it just came into my mind, you're probably not going to believe me. Oh well.......) and it got me hooked into the whole album. I think he has a lot of talent and it will be interesting to see him mature as an artist. There's something in there for everyone; the sixties style 'Daydream Believer'-esque 'Billy Brown' to eighties style 'Love Today'; the Freddie Mercury-esque 'Grace Kelly'. 'Relax, Take it Easy' reminds me a bit of Beverly Craven's 'Promise Me'. My favourite would be 'Happy Ending'. Can't think exactly what it reminds me of, but I'm sure I've heard something like it from the early nineties. It seems to me as though he might be parodying the different genres, and he does seem to be very good at distilling their essence.
I missed my vocation as a music critic methinks.
It's very intense and after the initial rush of nausea I'm finding it highly addictive. Obviously for hardened rap addicts this will grate like fingernails down a blackboard. And I apologise.
Yes, he does seem to be of the non-marrying kind just in case anyone was wondering.
Q
Posted by Quintal on February 23, 2007, at 13:13:02
In reply to Re: Mika, posted by Meri-Tuuli on February 23, 2007, at 12:36:27
>Well I was just lamenting on social, that alot of us here with mental troubles tend to have had 'bad' childhoods - I, for a fact, hated mine utterly and couldn't wait to grow up. Well. Then I grew up and have terrible mental problems! Great!
Same here! My closest friend at school was a girl who had precocious puberty, and may even have been a hermaphrodite if certain rumours were to be believed. You might be getting the impression we weren't popular? She was fiercely opposed to the idea of shaving her moustache despite strong hints dropped by the other girls on the playground, and needed a big operation 'down below' when she was about seven. She withdrew even more into herself after that, and I think I can guess what the operation might have been now that I'm a little more clued up on anatomy and physiology. She made one suicide attempt that I know of by glue sniffing. I wish I'd had more compassion and wisdom back then, but I'm afraid at times I joined in with the teasing and it's something that came back to haunt me during benzo withdrawal.
>. I prefer depresso-genic bands myself, I think The Bends by Radiohead is my all time favourite album.
I know what you mean. I like to listen to the classics of that genre, like 'Knockin' on Heaven's Door' by Bob Dylan when I'm depressed and suicidal. "It's gettin' dark, too dark to see. Feel I'm knockin' on heaven's door. Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door........ Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door....... That long black cloud's comin' down, feel like knockin' on heaven's door......................"
It has so much resonance when you're in that mood, and I find it usually makes me feel much better to know someone else has been there and written a song that captures the mood so well.
>Having said that, I can't stop listening to Concessions on a dancefloor, by Ms Madonna. I'm such a hypocrite!
Yup, it's on my ipod too, but the only track I can tolerate is 'Hung Up'. There's music on mine from every genre and era - there's even a bit of Beethoven and Mozart and a few classical albums. It's never boring to have it on random shuffle. Madonna squeaking along to 'Holiday' is contrasted against Beethoven's Symphony No.9, followed by Eminem's 'Fack'.
Q
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on February 23, 2007, at 14:22:24
In reply to Re: Mika, posted by Quintal on February 23, 2007, at 13:13:02
Did you ever read "Middlesex" it is very good.
Yep, I'm a big Dylan fan myself too. I was just listening to him today non-stop in fact, his latest album, "modern times" which is great.
Sigh. What are we going to do?
Posted by Quintal on February 23, 2007, at 15:04:08
In reply to Re: Mika, posted by Meri-Tuuli on February 23, 2007, at 14:22:24
>Did you ever read "Middlesex" it is very good.
No, I haven't. Sounds like my kind of novel though. Is it based on real life? I bought "Hermaphrodites and the medical invention of sex" a few years ago from Amazon after it was suggested to me for some reason (?!) in the 'recommended choices' selection. It was an interesting read that shed some light on what might have happened to her.
>Yep, I'm a big Dylan fan myself too. I was just listening to him today non-stop in fact, his latest album, "modern times" which is great.
I think I might just download it. Thanks!
Q
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on February 23, 2007, at 15:15:29
In reply to Re: Mika, posted by Quintal on February 23, 2007, at 15:04:08
Working man's blues number 2 is fantastic!!!!
This is the end of the thread.
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