Reviews | ||
Skylarkin is a sweet and optimistic album. In it's now retrospective context, many of the songs seem to take on a new nostalgic role easily yet always evading melancholy. The album opens with "Heyday", by now familiar to many after it's adoption by the Frames as well it being the title track from last year's EP from Mic. Kids Song, Listen Girl and Looking for Jude follow and each will immediately entice. If you've never heard Kids Song for example, you'll struggle not to sing with it's catchy "So how comes your sister's in drag". This was the beauty of Mic's songs. Simple yet confident and captivating, his lyrics oozing with love and beauty. What A Curious Notion is introspective and personal with its poetic lyrics and instrumental backdrop. Skylarking follows and while many of Mic's songs are familiar by now from bootleg recordings and memorable performances, the title track is probably the most unfamiliar to fans. Mic resembles Tom Yorke as he sings, "Skylarking, isn't this the way that we can go". Once again, this is sure to join Kid Song and Heyday as an anthem synonymous with the celebrated singer. Guest Vocalists feature throughout the album and the household voices of Gemma Hayes, Lisa Hannigan and Glen Hansard can be detected while the production merits of the Odlum's add their own trademarks on the release. On Friday 29th of November Mic Christopher's debut album Skylarkin was launched in front of a very fortunate Vicar Street audience. On the same night one year earlier, a similar grouping of audience and artists came together to raise funds Mic after a most unfortunate accident. That night was unique in its passionate performances, its sense of respect and devotion and in its premature celebration of Mic's life. While the former lead singer with the Mary Janes didn't survive his accident, his music lived on and through such close friends as Glen Hansard, Damien Rice, Ronan O Snodaigh and his sister Maureen. Mic has his heyday at last. The words from Daydreaming hang in the air like a call from Mic "Stop dreaming our lives away, daydreaming our lives away". Skylarkin will have you daydreaming alright, great stuff. Review by Thomas Finneran, U.L.
"Mic Christopher to me was a hero in every way. Mic had something of his own, that is what separates true artists from the rest. His voice was deep and not an imitation and his lyrics were completely from a different sphere. I was lucky enough to become friends with him - I used to go and see him play when I could 'cause I could learn from him. We did a good few gigs together around Ireland, he made me laugh very hard and loud and when I think of him he still does, I just see a big, warm grin."
"Mic died a handsome young rover, he left no debts and no anger, just a lot of great memories and beautiful songs and a friendship that will never diminish. He lived as a poet and died as one, and I will never fear death again because I know when it's my time, my friend will be waiting to show me around."
Guests on the album include some of Ireland's bigger names like the Frames' Glen Hansard and Gemma Hayes, but this is entirely Mic's album, his voice and words are what it's all about. It's the kind of timeless music that can, at times, like on the beautiful 'Listen girl', make you stop, close your eyes and just listen. It's a particularly well put together album that seems to get better with every track, reaching a peak with the upbeat 'I've got your back' and the sublimely beautiful 'Skylarking', which is everything Grant Lee Buffalo was, but better. Then it winds down slightly for the last track, 'Daydreaming', which has a nice easy vibe for the end and it's all over. "Skylarkin" is the sound of Mic Christopher celebrating life and it has become a celebration of his life and music. His death was a tragedy, but, with "Skylarkin", he has left us a large piece of what he was and it stands up well to his memory. Nobody could ask for more when they're gone. Donnacha DeLong
Reviewed by Jim Healy. Published on the 04/12/2002
Where's The Craic.com review
The opening track "Heyday" features his deep distinctive voice with backing vocals from Karl Odlum. He follows on with the melodic lullaby "Listen girl". Track three "Looking for Jude" is in my opinion the strongest track on the EP. This is a blend of great lyrics matched with fluctuating vocal tones and a heart warming chorus. "Kid`s song" is the last track on the EP. A folk driven song with pleasant backing vocals. If these tracks are anything to go by, his next EP will bring us further into his captivating vocal ensemble. We are also promised a duet with Gemma Hayes which should create the perfect balance of harmony and sound. A heart warming mix of folk and melody. James Malone
MIC CHRISTOPHER ‘HEYDAY’ EP
The Mary Janes never reached that kind of status, but they had a loyal following in Dublin, so on the announcement of their break-up last year, it ended a small part of Dublin’s musical history. There were no emotional scenes, but many were genuinely sad at losing a band that seemed to be reaching their prime. Vocalist Mic Christopher has wasted little time dwelling on what might have been and put out an independent EP, the title of which may give you an idea of what was/is going through his mind these days. It’s four tracks recorded with friends and former band members that do nothing but warm the heart. You get the impression that this is more like something to let people know that he’s still here and hasn’t given up making music yet. If tracks like ‘Kid’s Song’ and ‘Looking For Jude’ are anything to go on, we’re in for quite a treat when he puts out a full album.
Ronan falls for a worthy DIY release
Mic Christopher has that kind of folky voice that crops up a lot with your Dad's record collection. A warm, quivering country drawl that reminds the listener of dozens of vocalists including the bloke from Credence Clearwater Revival, Eddie Vedder and even a teenage Neil Young before he learned how to attack an electric guitar and grow his hair. The opening track 'Heyday' is an instantaneously catchy vibe on saying "Hey!", makin' up the years and foolin' around (in the hay?). Gloriously homemade in feel and execution it's the perfect introduction to this DIY talent. The rest of the EP pans out gently enough with a bluesy country feel that grows ever warmer with repeated listens. If 'Listen Girl' were any warmer it would be an oven while 'Looking For Jude' could have been written around a campfire at Woodstock. There are a million and one acoustic troubadours (un)plugging around Dublin at the moment. Some are good (David Kitt, Pete Courtney, Adrian Crowley to name but three), some dreadful (no names to protect the guilty) and you can now add Mic Christopher to that list of quality. Check him out, you won't be disappointed. Ronan Casey
Mic Christopher (1969-2001) Mic Christopher, of the criminally underrated Dublin band, the Mary Janes, died on 29 November. The circumstances of the incident two weeks ago that put him on a life-support machine, while on tour with the Waterboys, are unclear. What is clear is that Ireland has lost a great talent, someone who should have been a lot more successful than he was, and the Dublin live scene will be poorer for his absence. Mic Christopher is someone whose path I personally crossed quite a few times over his tragically short life. He went to the same secondary school that I did; in fact, he blazed a rebellious trail that I was to follow. The trouble my own insistence on wearing my hair long and piercing my ears caused led to many comparisons with the dreadlocked Mic who had drawn the same criticism a few years earlier. Mic's parents are friends of my parents, so tales of his activities were a constant source of interest. It was a few years, though, before I actually had a decent conversation with him. In fact, it was through a Sorted invite to the launch of "Spiders" by Space in 1997. Mic was the support act and joined us in the free bar upstairs in Whelan's. A somewhat alcohol-fuelled conversation, swapping stories of our experiences of school, him discussing the music biz from his side, me from mine. It was great to finally meet the "legendary" Mic properly. Some time after that, we interviewed Mic about his work in Bosnia with the Warchild group. Of course, going to gigs in Dublin on a somewhat regular basis, it was kind of hard to miss Mic, playing solo or with the Mary Janes, as he was a regular fixture in Whelan's and often cropped up as a support act elsewhere. The fact that he never got any further while crud like Boyzone was clogging up the charts is criminal.
And now he's dead. There's not much more I can say, our thoughts and best wishes go out to his family in this difficult time and we hope that Mic will live on in the memories of those who heard him for a long time.
THE FRAMES @ the Savoy. Cork review by Sharon McCarthy I was a bit dubious when I heard the Frames were playing the Savoy Theatre nightclub I always equate club with big toilet and thought the Frames were only in it for the money (!) but I was so wrong. After eventually getting past the bouncers and being asked for I.D (a lot of people were not let in as there was a strict door policy) and finally getting in, the venue turned out to be lush with candlelight seating and a niche crowd the rest were still outside trying to convince the bouncers they were Kosher. Josh Ritter a singer songwriter hailing all the way from the U.S.A was the first of the two support acts, both solo accoustic affairs. He managed to captivate the audience with his smooth free flowing lyrics and a voice to go. A country Nick Drake meets Elliot Smith. His set finished with an encore stuck to you which he tells the story of how he wrote this song while deciding whether to be a scientist or musician, he made the right decision sticking to music. Second support act is Mic Christopher, a singer songwriter from Dublin. (X-Mary Jane's singer) Mic has a great voice reminiscent of Tim Buckley with upbeat songs from the E.P Heyday the Kids Song a folksy sound and heyday with the chorus sounding a bit like the "Hey bodyform� bodyform for you" ad. His strong vocals seemed to transcend his songs. It's great to see so many solo singer songwriters around (besides David Gray) who deserve to be signed. After a brief interlude with music by Deus and Mercury Rev with the atmosphere filled with anticipation the Frames all five of them arrive on stage to a rapturous applause Glen Hansard is dressed well sporting a "Josh Ritter T-shirt" he must be getting the royalties in. It's great to be here he says but it's not the Lobby his usual haunt when he comes to Cork solo. plateau is the opening song and the band launch into the set with fused energy, Lay me down is an achingly pure melody and is the first song played from the long awaited for the birds album. Next is the infectious tune God Bless Mum the crowd joining in with the chorus and echo back "you see how hard it can be to keep your side of the deal..." A lot of bands seem to have that problem at the moment. Glen invites the people at the back to come sit on the stage as there plenty of room ten girls and a guy take up the offer perch themselves on the stage this is the beginning of an intimate soiree, which is a Frames trade mark. What happens when the heart just stops is another new song with breathtakingly bare lyrics made complete with the fused rhythm from the whole band. Glen thanked the crowd for their support as for the Birds has charted at no.6 this is a first for them as they've never charted before. Disappointed is a melancholic melody with an electrical looping background Bursting into Revelate The Frames and the crowd rock on. Glen narrates his way through the set telling the story of what inspired rent day blues, it involved him as a down an out musician in the States, a George Michael fan and a hot tub! They then do two cover songs , a moving rendition of You'll have the moon I'll have the stars by Magnetic Fields and Rotterdam by The Wedding Present. Both of these bands have also been produced by Steve Albini. Glen must be keeping it in the Family. Star Star brings the set to a close. But wait there's more! there had to be, the crowd made sure of it. headlong is an emotionally charged melody with soaring violin strings. Josh Ritter accompanies Glen with his own song come and find me. Mic Christopher does an explosive version of Elvis' suspicious minds. Santa Maria mesmerises the audience with its electric charged fade out and shows just why the Frames have a cult like following. Jaysus! I think I found a new Religion. | ||
Heyday is the Debut EP from Dublin based solo artist Mic Christopher. At first listen you fail to hear the intricacies and arrangement of his voice with accompanying vocals from Gemma Hayes. On further listens you hear the luscious blend of harmony and subtlety as he woes you through the pleasant and summery four songs. The EP was recorded with friends and former Mary Janes band members.
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