´óÏó´«Ã½

Personaly I like Mika but it's easy to see why people don't like him, his voice can be irritating sometimes and he won't be known as the most original artists of this decade. But I don't care he's fun and writes good, catchy pop songs that make me happy and if it makes me happy then I can't not like it, 4 stars from me.

Are we listening to the same record? This is one of the best songs Mika has done - dark lyrics contrasted with a dance beat, great chorus, synths galore. 4 stars from me too.

(And Lady GaGa - interesting and enigmatic?? Not much interesting or enigmatic about what she is selling)

This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.

I won't deny that I'm a pretty hardcore Mika fan, and I know the chorus can get repetetive, but what about the lyrics? The music used? The LOW vocals that Mika uses? Mika is NOT a one trick pony, have you even listened to this song and both of his albums? Mika makes a variety of music because he is a true musician. The song is undeniably catchy with dark lyrics that many can relate to. It's definitely not "Love Today" with the flu - they are totally different songs with different elements. While I understand that it's your own opinion, please remember that this is purely about the music and so attacking Mika himself is not something I will tolerate. "performed by a man who is not so much an alien sex being from the planet Charisma as a hyperactive CBeebies presenter with a narcissistic streak."

I agree with Valegirl & cazGirl!
Rain is a beautiful piece of music sung by a true artist!
Mr. Fraser McAlpine seems to take great delight in personally attacking Mika!
You cannot like a song without being "mean!"
Mika is one of Britain's treasures - some of you don't know it yet!

OK, you like Lady Gaga better than Mika, and you have every right to do so. But in my opinion it's not a good enough reason for being so mean towards an artist who has proved multiple times that he was unique and talented. Lady Gaga in person said he had opened the doors for artists like herself !!! Without him, she might not be topping charts today. And SHE is the one saying that.
Regarding Rain, i think it's a brilliant song and people who were lucky enough to listen to it mainly loved it. The problem is that the record company doesn't seem to make much efforts to even let people know that the single is out... That's sad... I rate it 4 stars.

I had to laugh when you mentioned Lady Gaga, for SHE was influenced by Mika!! He actually blazed the trail for all of the really good pop songs and unusual artists we have now. Before Mika, there was mostly R&B and covers of old songs in the charts. Now artists are expressing themselves as individuals, and bringing out brilliant tunes with unusual lyrics.
I can't understand the critics in this country and I'm ashamed to be British. Have you even listened to Mika's lyrics? They tell a different story from the tune. His lyrics are often dark, and are certainly not child-like. They are disguised (quite often) by child-friendly music, but that's not the whole story. I also suggest you listen to the songs, I SEE YOU and PICK UP OFF THE FLOOR. they prove how versatile Mika is, in his songwriting, and with his voice. 4 stars for Rain from me too!

There is no real music criticsm here - just a mass of personal prejudices against one of the world's brightest and most inventive stars. So you don't like Mika? who cares!

Mika and his music will be around for many years.

I can't see an actual proper critique of the song here. Just a lot of verbal abuse about the singer and the song.
If you're going to write a review of the song, can you just stick to the subject of reviewing it, and not use it as a forum to vent your personal predjudice of Mika. Okay you may not like the guy, but that has nothing to do with reviewing a record.
I personally don't like Oasis, but it never stopped me from liking the song Lila. And if I had to do a review of the song, I would stick to that, rather than go into what I personally think of the band. That I would save for another time.
Myself, I love Rain, have done ever since I heard it's first ever performance in Paris, last year. At first , when I heard he was going to make it into a dance track, I was wary, as I love the acoustic version. But when I heard it for the first time, after he had done the dance track on it, I was surprised how good it had turned out.
I like the way he puts lyrics with dark undertones, together with light colourful pop music, it's so much more refreshing than having to listen to rehashed R&B, irritating X Factor drivel and the tired old sexist Hip Hop we have to listen to, day after day.

I am a Mika fan ... I get you don't like him ... but can you actually review the song without it being a personal attack on him .... I'm sick of reading ... Mika is this and Mika is that .... back it up if you want to slander him ... he's unique - a one off ... and I'm proud to be a fan ... and to be honest ... I would have thought better of a ´óÏó´«Ã½ site and a ´óÏó´«Ã½ writer :(

Go MIKA love on Chart Blog

I strongly disagree with what you have written!
You people complain about how his songs are "over the top" but then complain that they are too "badly written" and "like Love Today with the flu".
I could write a far more honest review and this article disgusts me. Nice use of casually dropping in Lady Gaga's name when this is not about her! (Or had you not noticed?)
You are wrong on so many levels to criticise Mika on a song review. Looks like you can't do your job properly and honestly! You shouldn't write your personal opinions of Mika on a song review.
I would have thought the ´óÏó´«Ã½ could hire more honest writers and you have ruined the ´óÏó´«Ã½'s reputation.

I can't believe reviews like this; I'm sick of them. In fact, it's not even a proper review of the ACTUAL SONG, it's just a rant about how you don't like Mika. And even what you have written about the song is absolute rubbish: "It's basically 'Love Today' with the 'flu". Have you actually LISTENED to the song?!?!

Do your job properly please, Mr Reviewer. I feel, like Marilyn Manstin, so ashamed to be British right now. Mika is a proper artist who makes proper music. Open your eyes and SEE THAT. Open your ears and HEAR THAT.

What's up with your hearing?

I agree with Allie here. Have you actually listened to the song??? It's reviews like this that send out the bad messages about artists, turning members of the public against a certain someone before they've even taken the time to listen to the actual song, let alone the album!
Mika is a true artist of our time, his lyrics tell almost gothic tales whereas his music is happy and light hearted. How many singers do you know who have the true ability to write a song which deals with both of those aspects? Not very many I say.
This song is pure genuis, written by a pure songwriter. And those of you can't see this really need to take the time to listen to his other songs. I recommend some from his new album such as 'I See You' and 'Pick Up Off The Floor' You'll hear a totally different artist from the one you've had planted in your mind, one with no evidence backing up this so called grudge.

Excuse me...is this a review of song "Rain" or an rant/insult on Mika?
I don't know where I have been when these two got mixed up. I understand if you just don't like the song but why attack the artist that wrote it? Is this really what reviews are about? I don't understand why did you compared Lady Gaga to Mika. Lady Gaga said herself she was influenced by Mika. Comparing any two artists is a mistake itself. Every artist if unique in their way. As many that commented here said, since Mika, more artists show their talent and include LYRICS in a song. Not repeating the same lines all over again. Have you even LISTENED to the song? Have you listened to the lyrics? Well, if you did you should know it isn't " basically 'Love Today' with the 'flu, discoey, campish, nearly flamboyant, wan-tastic" I dont think so...It is dark, almost gothic, yet it has a beat that makes you wanna dance and sing the song. How many artists can do that these days?
I don't know if this rant should be called "Mika-Rain" it sounds to me more like: "Let's insult Mika"
And the author should open their mind.

Fraser McA

Faced with mounting criticism of your review, you now resort to sneering at your readers? Yes - many (not all) of the posters here criticising your review are from the Mika Fan Club. I don't see anyone defending your review. Where are these other readers you pretend to speak for? Can't they speak for themselves? Where are they?

Ok Im gonna rain down some comments. Before hand, disclaimer, I liked Mika's last album. This one... not so much. Im also a big fan of 'pop music' and 'wonky pop'. When it's good. This song isn't.

Marilyn Mastin - You are saying Mika paved the way for pop today, including artists like Lady Gaga? While I agree his 'wonky pop' has made a significant contribution to pop music today .. I dont believe that he has done this single handedly or to the extent you make it out he has. Mika debuted with 'Grace Kelly' in early 2007. Lets look at the previous 25 number one singles, artists he basically cant have influenced. We have Take That, Leona Lewis, Westlife, McFly, Scissor Sisters (greater contribution to pop, 'wonky pop' and music than Mika btw), Lily Allen, Chico (Closest artist so far ..) Madonna. The rest are a roughly equal number of RnB songs, a couple of dance ones, few indie/rocks and some randoms like Sandi Thom.

You're telling me that because some critics dont like Mika's style of camp, fun, 'givememyownmusical' pop .. you are ashamed to be British? Really? Really? C'mon.

naectegale hraevn - let's break down Fraser's review. We have an intro paragraph, a paragraph of personal attack on Mika, a funny quip about the video, a comparison/personal attack paragraph, a paragraph about the song, another paragraph about the song and a conclusion. So lets say 4 paragraphs, two "attacking" the artist and two on the song. So although the word count may be higher for the first two paragraphs, all in all, a pretty balanced review. A lot more balanced than some of the ones (although brilliant) Fraser does. Be thankful he mentions the song!

Rose - You may read the final two paragraphs. Not the sentence at the end, I'm calling that the conclusion. Re-read those.

I do believe its 'Lyla'.

This song would be better acoustic.

If that's all you can find apart from Mika, I think you need to investigate music a little more! While theres a lot of RnB, X Factor and Hip Hop out there, the chart at the moment is completely dominated by pop music.

Jo and Justyna ... did you both use the same proposed structure off the 'We love Mika' forum?

This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.

BloggingLiam - Mika has made an acoustic version of the song. You can listen to it here, if you're interested. I know you're not a lover of the song.





(yes both videos ARE different because the music is different =D)

I'm here. Hi. Now shove off. Sums up your mentality ... and not anything about Mika or his fans ... you're can have your opinion ... and we can have ours ... never any need for rudeness ... thanks.

Ill do my own little review of the song now! I'll leave my opion on Mika out of it just incase it doesn't go down so well.

The song starts really well. Great dance beat. First line is fine... he doesnt muck around too much.. few lines in and he's managed to refrain from silly affected vocals (See 'We are gaulden'). I like the first verse. . . then the corus kicks in.

Oh dear. Another song following the current trend in music (mosly that dirty dirty R&B genre you guys slate so much). Repetition. In the extreme. Not even in the last thunderous corus. In every flipping corus. Halo.. halo .. halo.. battlefield .. battlefield. . . battlefield. . . it rains .. it rains .. it rains.

Great, you lost me. Well done Mika. You took a "gothic" (you guys love that word don't you?) pop track and muck it up with a silly repetative corus. It's like he took a lot of effort writing a couple of decent words, made the decision to have the song around the metaphor or rain .. chose a cool dance beat .. got to the studio .. "Oh crap I forgot the corus". Oh screw it, this will do.

Oh and it sounds like they just took the cool bits from 'Relax, take it easy'. So all in all, a bit of a fail track.

3 stars.

See now, I'm not really a fan of sarcasm in reviews. Sarcasm can come off very funny and I do quite like it in comedy - but in reviews I find it attacking and nasty. But maybe that's just me. Personally Liam - although of course, I like the song more than you do - I think you did a better review than the ´óÏó´«Ã½ guy.

I just took a trip over to the "Mika Fan Club" forums and giggled at the thread about the review. Im like some little hate figure over there now. Brilliant, can I class this as my 15 minutes of fame?

Just so you know, "RAK1", I don't have any actual power on this blog. I cant stop you posting. Not my fault you cant work the blog out. And in response to your quoted post below -

"This BloggingLiam who just comes on and only addresses our comment, and not actually comment on the review, is a complete **** as well!"

.. you actually want me to review Fraser's review? You want a review of the review?

Thanks Caz. - MIKA - 'Rain' (acoustic) - Lieve Paul -

If he'd have released this, or a studio version, Id say it would have gone down a lot better, charted a lot better and BEEN a lot better. It's much nicer.

Interesting, because some of us MFCers (since you seem to know who we are lol. We are quite nice, really.) didn't like the original acoustic version (yes, we do criticise him as much as we praise him!) - some said it sounded like he was whining lol. Which I can get in the chorus. Here's his first performance of Rain at Parc Des Princes in front of 55, 000 (sorry, had to mention xD)

I'm one of those who didn't like the whining PDP version ... actually didn't like is being nice ... I hated it .... lol ... I love the dance version though ... but ... you're kind of right about the chorus ... but I do think the rest of the song pulls it through ... and Live ... it is an amazing song :)

I hated it at PDP too - I think it was too new and "raw". I prefer both the recent acoustic and the dance versions much better now. And I love the Owen Pallett violin work on the track - genius!

I always find it amusing when this happens btw guys. Just to let you know, you're not the first fan club to come over here and attack a review. McFly and Paramore have had little blog invasions before. They come, they go. Here are some points to consider -

1) Reviewers can, should, will and must take into account artists and form opinions on artists. Songs cannot be only reviewed from the song and the song alone (this is hard to articulate . . sorry). The backdrop to a song must be considered. In this case Fraser considered Mika as an artist, then reviewed the song. Im amazed you haven't noticed a lot of reviwers do this. Now I believe you all feel he was perhaps a little personal in his attack. Maybe he was . . . maybe he wasn't. I don't believe so.

2) Fraser is a fantastic reviewer. He has been doing this for a very long time. This means that he has to vary his reviews a little. He posts several reviews a week on this blog. Just posting a straight "pros and cons" list for each song is dull and wouldnt get many views. He mixes it up a bit. I think you should read a few more of his reviews (I'm not saying you don't, but I suspect a lot of you just tripped over here from the thread(s) on various fan forums).

3) It's only Mika guys. I mean if he was insulting Michael Jackson perhaps.. but Mika learned to take this criticism a long time ago. Maybe you guys should too.

4) Reviewers on this blog won't do as I do and sit down a chat with bloggers much. Hence Fraser's (pretty funny) response to you. If anything, enraging you lot a bit more is good for the blog.

5) This blog is a forum for opinions. I am glad you are sharing yours, but dont get so offended when Fraser shares his. Also, insulting him is surely sinking to his (in your eyes) level?

6) Ill repeat to all the speculation on the Mika Faa forum, I have no mod power here. I'll direct you to my removed post. I've had hundreds of posts removed from here ... it happens all the time, for the slightest and oddest of things. Don't worry. I can take it ;)

Yes Laurel, not a fan of the Parc Des Princes version either (here we are loving and hating exactly the same song xD would 'ironic' be the right word to use?) but again I like the dance version.

Liam - again, if you are interested, here is Mika explaining why he chose to put a dance beat behind it.

Parc Des Princes performance is awful. Mika, we get it, you have a fantastic vocal range and ability with your voice. We all knew that from song 1. So please learn to apply this better to your music. He could actually take some pointers from X Factor/American Idol people sometimes. He needs to learn to reel it in a bit.

"It's only Mika guys. I mean if he was insulting Michael Jackson perhaps.. but Mika learned to take this criticism a long time ago. Maybe you guys should too."

This I don't really understand. Why would it be different if he insulted MJ? Because he's dead? Yes I'm pretty sure Mika can take criticism, and I can too as I am also a performer and am pretty used to it to be honest - but I didn't find this to be a particularly nice review and not just because the person didn't like the song. I just don't really like the way it's written.

Everyone's different of course, but that's my opinion.

So Liam you're another who didn't like the Parc Des Princes performance lol. Like I said, some of us fans didn't like it either. But saying that it was his first performance of the song and was unfinished - you can hear the difference in the CD version plus newer live performances. What version of Rain do you prefer? The Lieve Paul one still?

I simply picked the artist I thought people would be most annoyed at an insult about. His deadness being a contributing factor to people getting annoyed at an insult to him. I watched the South Park Episode where they do just that today, hence the MJ reference. Also refering to the fact it's perhaps a little harsh to insult the dead, better to let em rest and all. Perhaps a poor example.

Lieve Paul wins indeed.

I see Naectegale has decided to go to bed, so I will too. Early mornings and all that. I am interested to know what she complained about though..

Liam, I found your review to be more balanced than Frasers, because you were actually concentrating on the song, rather than slagging off the artist. It wasn't bad.
I found it funny, that after I posted on MFC about you not doing a review, just commenting on our comments, viola, a review appeared. Had quite a laugh about that, ha ha!
Sorry that I may annoy everyone by saying I like the PDP version, it's just that being there, and hearing a new song for the first time, you kind of get caught up in the moment. Still like it now.

Rose don't apologise, if you like it, you like it. lol xD

My apologies, for my faux pas in my last comment. That should have said voila!
Going back to my first comment, Liam I never said anything about the chart in there, I was generalising about music around at the moment, and I concur that there is a fair amount of pop orientated material out there too.
And the "wonky pop" term, this only got started when Mika came about, you can't really equate it to artists like MJ (who has always been R&B, in my opinion), no one I've heard of ever used it before 2007.

Rose you think MJ is an R'n'B dude? xD I guess on a few songs it's kinda R'n'B...first time I've heard someone claim MJ to be an R'n'B artist xD

BloggingLiam
You didn't like that I said I'm ashamed to be British, and think it's just because of a bad Mika review. You misunderstand. It's not because people don't like Mika's music. That is their own opinion. But it isn't fair to attack Mika himself. Yes he has a lot of fans and we are quite pro-active, but we HAVE to be. How would you like it if someone slagged off someone you liked, just because they don't like what he does for a living? Before you mention that being a fan is not the same as being a friend of Mika, let me explain that, though of course it's not the same, many of us have actually met Mika! He is polite and kind, and even when he is tired from a show, he is there for his fans. He never acts like the Global Superstar he deffinately is! He's a warm and considerate human being who also has a great talent. So yes, it does make me ashamed to be British, and deffinately ashamed of the ´óÏó´«Ã½ when a decent man gets slated, just because the reviewer has a different taste in music.

Rose I didnt relate MJ to pop or wonky pop. You misunderstood me.

Marilyn Mastin, see point 1) of post 34. I believe you are completely wrong. The day that reviewers arent allowed to even comment on the artist, call it slating, call it what you want, is a sad one. Its depressing enough when comedians cant make any vaugly offensive jokes on TV ... this to me is the same thing. You basically want to censor reviewers opinions on artists?

As lovely a man as he is, if he keeps making rubbish music .. he's gonna get slated. At the end of the day all Fraser did was say that he's boring compared to X Factor contestants. In Frasers opinion, he sings like he struggles with the language. He does, particuarly in this song! Especially in the verses. Fraser makes the point that Mika doesnt have a range of song writing. I agree with that too.

None of this is really offensive to Mika. What bit are you guys taking particular offense to?!? The fact Fraser said Mika lacks some charisma and talent compared to X Factor contestants? Is that really something to complain about to the ´óÏó´«Ã½?

All these people saying "Im entitled to my opinion ..". Please apply the same rule to Fraser.

Bloggingliam, you really haven't understood much of this discussion, have you?

You say "The fact Fraser said Mika lacks some charisma and talent compared to X Factor contestants?"

I know FMcA's style is somewhat convoluted and his meaning is consequently not entirely clear, but I take his meaning to be that Mika looks good when compared to X-factor wannabes - This is a back-handed complement at best, but it is the exact opposite of your interpretation.

Even though I previously said I liked the song I do want to defend Fraser, a review is a place to express an opinion (as is a blog)and that's all that Fraser has done. I've heard much worse things said about artists before and no-one has cared so why is it so a big deal now. Also what are the chances of MIKA actually reading this and being that offended by it, he knows that his music isn't for everyone and has taken much worse criticism before on the chin. He's still a successful artist and nothing a reviewer says will change that.

harrythedog10

I agree with much of what you say in principle. Critics are paid to give their views, after all.

I do think FMcA is being quite nasty in a subtle way, just because he can. And he gets paid for it.

And then when faced with responses, he resorts to thinly-veiled sneering sarcasm, instead of addressing any of the points made directly. I notice he hasn't responded to my second comment, making this point, either. he's become invisible.

I don't expect everyone to agree with me - Mika is a marmite artist after all - but a reasonable discussion of the single would be nice instead of all this personal nonsense and nastiness (not from you, harry - you are quite sensible - hence the response to you :))

I'll agree with you that Fraser was being quite mean with his comments but I don't believe it deserve 50 posts all of which say pretty much the same things. Also Fraser doesn't usually post on chart blog anyway, he just writes the reviews mostly.

Even the people defending the review have been agreeing that Fraser is being nasty about Mika - but that's not really true: it's NOT a personal attack.

Saying that Mika doesn't come across as having much charisma, and more resembles a children's tv presenter than a pop star is relevant, because if you're performing in a pop video, then the impression you make is part of its success or otherwise!

If Fraser thinks Mika isn't convincing, and says so in a humorous way, that's not the same as calling him a failed human being!

Oh sorry naectegale hraevn. In all the discussion about meaness and kitten killing I didnt read Fraser's actual review closely enough. My appologies.

My points all still stand though. Infact Fraser's "insulting" and "slating" are even less "bad" then I first read.

The Mika bus hasnt pointed out what is really offensive to Mika yet btw. Nothing in Fraser's review was particuarly offensive, or really uncalled for. I'm sure he's been a lot ruder to stars in the past.

Nothing exciting to report off the Mika Fan Club Forums though. Despite popular demand (no Im not deluded don't worry) I'm not going to make an account. You all check here enough. However I do find it amusing that somebody commented I must lead a sad life ... If thats not a personal insult I dont know what is (sob sob sob). But then I noticed the poster had 11000 posts on a Mika fan forum. So all was ok again.

Mika Fan Club, now there's something comical.

The first album was ok, the second album went downhill, IMO.

Holy crap. I go away for a week and it all kicks off.

I wish I had been here to get stuck into all these Mika hags, but Liam, you did an admirable job, and with considerable patience too. Bravo. Personally, I would have been a little meaner to them, but that's just me.

Yeah well, I try not to make fun of people less well off upstairs as myself.

Also the one post I did make that was mildly offensive was deleted.

It was like the Battle of ChartBlog, with Squadron Leader Liam defending our virtual shores.

Back in the old days, when we were a great empire, we could have mustered some troops to go over, lay waste to their forum and turn it into a ChartBlog colony - Liam, Spirit, Thranjax, Random, Flatknees, Catman, Dannyboy, MozFoz, me (if I wasn't on holiday) etc. Hell, maybe that Nosheen kid that liked R&B would have joined in too.

Things ain't what they used to be.

I still have my "I Slept with CurtainJerker" t-shirt though.

Shame my old posts and profile didn't migrate into my new one!

Huh? I thought we only made up one of those T-shirts? Unless... Thranjax, is that you?

Ah cheers guys. Shame we have lost a few of the old guard on here really. Come back everybody! Alexander is looking lonely. Ive been tempted to post on it a few times, but Ive refrained. Waiting for Spirit to come back with a massive chart run down to revive it .. or something along the lines.

I cant wait for Mika's third single.

Is it because he's sitting on that nice, neat 750, and you feel like you shouldn't spoil that unless it's for something truly significant? Because that's been my feeling. Which is dumb considering some of the sheer pap we posted to get him up there in the first place.

How is this masterpiece, as you put it, performed by a 'hyperactive CBeebies presenter'.

Come on man, let's stop the personal attacks and remember that he is a human being.

Oh God you're not back are you?

OH NO! The MIKA fan club is back!!

*Ressurects Topic*
Okay, before I comment on this song I would like to make two things clear:
Thing 1) I am by no means a 'fan' of Mika's.
Thing 2) I can see only one possible fault with the review Fraser wrote.
To elaborate Thing 2: ''these are songs that would blow away in the draught if they weren't anchored down by breeze blocks.''
This comment, is ... complacent. But as I said this is only a possible fault as I don't know whether Fraser has listened to the rest of Mika's new album (which I find quite an enjoyable listen actually; there are lots of different genres of music. There are elements of dance, wonky-pop, pop, 60's, 70's and even blues influences are apparent).
Basically, want I want to question is why Fraser said ''songs like these'', when the only single Mika had released (so supposedly the only one Fraser had heard since We Are Golden) at the time of writing this review was Rain?
Much like Relax (Take It Easy) on his first album, this is the only song of it's type on Mika's new album, so it seems unusual to review all the remaining songs in one foul swoop and compare them to something that could ''blow away in a draught'' if they weren't ''anchored down with breeze blocks''.
I completely understand why Fraser wrote the review he did. Whilst Rain being one of my favourites from the album, it is very much an acquired taste.
But anyhow, I like the songs, especially this one; I find it a breath of fresh air from the stale, contrived, square-sounding, pretty-piano-chord drivel X Factor is churning out these days. *coughs at Mr. McElderry*
Mika's next single is again, completely different to the previous single and I can only hope Rain gets a re-release.
5 stars for me, because it brilliantly dark, yet makes you want to sing along.

Hi Odd One , I imagine Fraser will want to give his own response , but as a huge music fan , and someone who has listened to Mika's second album , I totally agree with the "breeze block " comment .

Although pleasant on the ear , Rain is does not have a very strong hook at it's chorus , and as Mika had previously released BIG singles with BIG chorus hooks , this is a surprise .

Because of this lack of a big killer hook , radio never fuly embraced the single , and it became the FIRST Mika single NOT to make the top 40.

This is not coincidence .

Rain does not have the strength of hook that We are Golden , Relax , Big Girls. Love Today OR Grace Kelly had , and this was reflected in the way that radio and t.v never picked up on the track to make it a hit .

It doesn't make it a bad song , but to the casual listener ( who is not a Mika fan ) , it may have passed them by , and/or not lead them to buy it .

For what it's worth , I think the next Mika single should be Blame it on the Girls .

What do you reckon ?

Im pretty happy it didn't chart. Point proven.

'Relax..' what a fantastic song though.

Yeah, Relax.. was pretty amazing tbh.

And Rain does have a hook; a very good one: ''Baby, I hate days like this'', yes it's in the pre-chorus but still. Personally I find the chorus very memorable, and the tune is easily recognisable... though more recognisable in the acoustic version.

And Big Girls had pretty much the same chorus structure as Rain (a reapeated title hook) but something about it made it less appealing than Rain's.. which is probably why I don't really like Big Girls despite it's catchiness.

I looked up Mika's website, and it turns out Blame It On The Girls is his next single, out 15th February, and although it's not mentioned on the website there are so many pointers to Universal Records wanting to ACTUALLY PROMOTE this record, (he's performing it everywhere on TV in the coming month) probably because of the lack of promotion Rain received. And good news: 'Blame...' has a very catchy chorus and pre-chorus.. but it's still a tiny bit repetative, so I'd say it was a grower.

Blame It On The Girls should have always been the second single it's catchier, more interesting and has more chart potential. After that I think 'Touches You' should be the next single as it's by far the best song on the album.

'Touches You' reminds me of George Michael not only in the music, but the way Mika presents the song vocally and lyrically. I'd love it to be a single as well as 'Good Gone Girl', but I have a feeling his next single after 'Blame...' will be 'I See You'.

I would have never believed I would enter a forum like that, so Fraser - you have done a great job to make me sign in!
I am not a fan of Mika so please do not consider me a part of his fan club bus.
I used to DJ a lot in 90´s when people were mad about Depeche Mode, Madonna and MOdern Talking and liked songs they could not only dance to but also sing at home.
I cannot say that the songs then were of better quality lyrics-wise, music-wise but they were real songs. Now, today´s hits are excellent constructions of noises, loops, voices and synths, but often lacking a good melody line so in order to make them sell (at all) somebody has to direct a bloody good video. Honestly, when I watch MTV I often think I am watching a pay TV late night erotic show with gals "shaking that thing" and guys asking "meet me in the hotel room". Girls´ skirts have narrowed to a size of a slightly wider belt and boys don´t hesitate to show what´s on the hotel room menu.
And into this unreal world of overflowing protein and silicone comes a young man who is hype, energetic, colourful, and, in a way, quite good looking, but more than anything - he is different. He does not show muscles or snug parts of his body and still gets a lot of attention from people who fell in love with his straightforward presentation of melodies which perhaps sound in his head in both falsetto and low voice and he likes to offer both. Just like he shows on Rain. When Relax was up a couple of years ago reviewers blamed him for copying Modern Talking or Bad Boys Blue style form the 80´s. Copy?! Blimey! Even if, where´s the problem?
I was wondering why Fraser wrote such a review which was more about Mika and the fact that he just does not fancy his video performance rather than his music. I admit that as a reviewer he cannot like all music styles but should remain detached. His review does sound as if had a thing about Mika. It made me check some of his other reviews. And guess what I found - his absolutely positive review of Jedwards "Ice Ice / Under Pressure", where he explained to us - stupid public - that X Factor stars do not have to be able to sing but people should want to look at them...
Having read this I do not think any other word is worth spending on Fraser´s review on any of Mika´s song.

Mate have you heard of The Scissor Sisters? Mika's not massively new or original. He is of course different from this fine band, Im actually a fan of his first album. But as a musical recomendation, try the first Scissor Sister's album.

Then try some of the other artists that don't fit that mould you described. There's loads.

Liam, having read through the sort of comments on this thread, i can only applaud. Stunning defensive job mate, all on your own as well.

I only wish i was commenting on ChartBlog back when this was released, i think i just missed it. I would have done my best to help, as its a truly awful tune...

I would have helped but I was off Chart Blog for most of the day, when I left it was only about 4 comments and when I got back there was about 60!

P.S: However unlike Jonesy I don't think this is an awful track.

Ah thanks :) Obviously I was having a slow evening that one lol!

I was pretty suprised to find 60 posts there, those were the days when the only thread past 50 posts was Rybak!

Nooooo we had many long posts before this!

Rybak's disappeared from my 'topical posts' bit :(

Not any more . ;)

As Randy was questioned for using the term " gay - friendly " on the Daisy comments , there are terms used in this review that I have always wondered what was meant , so now seems a good time to ask .

Fraser, what exactly are you trying to say when you describe Mika as....

" A man who is not so much an alien sex being from the planet Charisma , as a hyperactive CBeebies presenter with a narcissistic streak . "

Please enlighten me . .

Ever since you described Mika as an alien sex being from Planet Charisma , I pictured David Bowie in Nicholas Roeg's 1976 sci-fi classic The Man Who Fell To Earth .The charismatic star was of course an alien sex being.

And although you could never picture Bowie singing something as gloriously over the top as "Big Girl You Are Beautiful " , I am reminded of the Starman's role in Extras, when he sits at the piano and sings " Little Fat Man " to the wonderfully self loathing Ricky Gervais.


"Hyperactive CBeebies presenter with a narsissistic streak "

Well for me , this conjures up visions of Philip Schofield , in the broom cupboard with Gordon the Gopher , frantically dyeing his beautiful grey hair black , before the camers rolled !

So there you go , Mika is in fact part David Bowie and part Philip Schofield .

Mystery over . :)