Press
"Todd Michaelsen’s voice is effortless, melodiously, and emotive. His music is catchy and written with an engaging, forward-thinking passion. His music solicits excitement that easily appeals to mainstream audiences, seeking out indie rock vibes or even only animated dance music with the foundation of a neo-rock outfit."
-- -- Short and Sweet NYC
(My Pet Dragon) aims to raise the roof on an arena near you.
"Majestic Lovers", the band’s wise choice lead single, is chimey anthemics — and that’s this band’s sweet spot. Equally soaring, "Love Anthem" takes the guys into Muse/Coldplay/Temper Trap, even Linkin Park alt arena territory, “Crystal Ball” is pretty and driving, & “Lover in Hiding” recalls Bono & Co. circa Atomic Bomb. Which is not to say they don’t throw a few curve balls. The retro bounce of “Darling”, the rollicking "Moonshine" and the wistful, acoustic "Siren" are nice departures. Still, this is big, audacious & brimming with hooks. Considering that’s only kind of rock that gets the big boys to notice anymore, do not be surprised if you’re hearing more from and about My Pet Dragon, and soon.
-- John Norris (Noisevox, MTV News)
"His sound is new and unique, combining synthesizers and guitars and making it sound good is no easy task but yet something they have mastered....He seems to have no limits to his vocal range and his lyrics really struck a chord"
--The Tower (Kean University's Student Newspaper)
"My desire is to follow my own muse and make the music I want to make,” explains frontman Todd Michaelsen, “not based upon any current music scene.”
-- Sonicbids Spotlight // Interview for CMJ Music Marathon in NYC
“Vocalist/songwriter Todd Michaelsen has a tenor voice that falls somewhere between Thom Yorke & Muse's Matthew Bellamy."
-- Brooklyn Rocks
"Todd erupts with his frenetic guitar and soaring vocals"
"Todd’s vocal range is at once immense and intense"
-- Music Aloud
"Todd's music has influences which range from U2 to mid-80s electro pop..."
-- Only The Blog Knows Brooklyn
"Hazy, Flaming Lips-Esque ethereal tunes highlighted by a melodic tenor"
-- CMJ
“Todd Michaelsen's voice shines!”
-- Southside on the Town
"sweeping, epic grandeur, part 90s British anthem band, part shoegaze and whichever way they turned, completely psychedelic. Frontman/guitarist Todd Michaelsen’s voice functions as an instrument....Michaelsen has a vocal range that would make Thom Yorke jealous”
--Lucid Culture
“Fans of atmospheric pop with just the right amount of grit will want to take note.”
-- Bill’s Music Forum
"WOW after listening carefully to the gentle rhythms of melodic music which will this sense of psychedelic groove happening between your ears ...it sounds so magical as the energy comfortably flows through you while dancing to the calming sound ...there aren't many words to describe how this song rocked SouthSide's earplugs...
-- Southside's Playlist
"Never have I been so moved and absorbed by a male vocalist. It’s not only his soaring range but the sheer warmth you feel when you’re listening to him, sets him right apart from any other singer.......... The music has this beautiful feel good vibe, charming listeners with expressive lyrics and illustrious melodies – like giving your ears a hot bubble bath"
-- Indian E-Music
"The energy literally flows as it thunders towards to the end, leaving the listener wonder if he was actually at a live pub-gig raucously singing along with the rest of the patrons."
-- Music Aloud
"Michaelsen possesses an effortlessly powerful voice and plays ethereal Fripp-like guitar ... -- and you can guess the album will have wide appeal as it touches on slightly exotic elements and has a clear, soulful pop-rock sound."
-- Elsewhere
“My Pet Dragon plays well-crafted alt-rock and vocalist/songwriter Todd Michaelsen has a tenor voice
that falls somewhere between Thom Yorke & Muse's Matthew Bellamy."
-- Brooklyn Rocks
"sweeping, epic grandeur, part 90s British anthem band, part shoegaze and whichever way they turned, completely psychedelic. Frontman/guitarist Todd Michaelsen’s voice functions as an instrument....Michaelsen has a vocal range that would make Thom Yorke jealous” ...."vocalist/dancer Reena Shah would judiciously pick her spots to echo or play off Michaelsen’s soaring wail when she wasn’t moving around her corner of the stage with a grace that was as trance-inducing as the music."
--Lucid Culture
-- -- Short and Sweet NYC
(My Pet Dragon) aims to raise the roof on an arena near you.
"Majestic Lovers", the band’s wise choice lead single, is chimey anthemics — and that’s this band’s sweet spot. Equally soaring, "Love Anthem" takes the guys into Muse/Coldplay/Temper Trap, even Linkin Park alt arena territory, “Crystal Ball” is pretty and driving, & “Lover in Hiding” recalls Bono & Co. circa Atomic Bomb. Which is not to say they don’t throw a few curve balls. The retro bounce of “Darling”, the rollicking "Moonshine" and the wistful, acoustic "Siren" are nice departures. Still, this is big, audacious & brimming with hooks. Considering that’s only kind of rock that gets the big boys to notice anymore, do not be surprised if you’re hearing more from and about My Pet Dragon, and soon.
-- John Norris (Noisevox, MTV News)
"His sound is new and unique, combining synthesizers and guitars and making it sound good is no easy task but yet something they have mastered....He seems to have no limits to his vocal range and his lyrics really struck a chord"
--The Tower (Kean University's Student Newspaper)
"My desire is to follow my own muse and make the music I want to make,” explains frontman Todd Michaelsen, “not based upon any current music scene.”
-- Sonicbids Spotlight // Interview for CMJ Music Marathon in NYC
“Vocalist/songwriter Todd Michaelsen has a tenor voice that falls somewhere between Thom Yorke & Muse's Matthew Bellamy."
-- Brooklyn Rocks
"Todd erupts with his frenetic guitar and soaring vocals"
"Todd’s vocal range is at once immense and intense"
-- Music Aloud
"Todd's music has influences which range from U2 to mid-80s electro pop..."
-- Only The Blog Knows Brooklyn
"Hazy, Flaming Lips-Esque ethereal tunes highlighted by a melodic tenor"
-- CMJ
“Todd Michaelsen's voice shines!”
-- Southside on the Town
"sweeping, epic grandeur, part 90s British anthem band, part shoegaze and whichever way they turned, completely psychedelic. Frontman/guitarist Todd Michaelsen’s voice functions as an instrument....Michaelsen has a vocal range that would make Thom Yorke jealous”
--Lucid Culture
“Fans of atmospheric pop with just the right amount of grit will want to take note.”
-- Bill’s Music Forum
"WOW after listening carefully to the gentle rhythms of melodic music which will this sense of psychedelic groove happening between your ears ...it sounds so magical as the energy comfortably flows through you while dancing to the calming sound ...there aren't many words to describe how this song rocked SouthSide's earplugs...
-- Southside's Playlist
"Never have I been so moved and absorbed by a male vocalist. It’s not only his soaring range but the sheer warmth you feel when you’re listening to him, sets him right apart from any other singer.......... The music has this beautiful feel good vibe, charming listeners with expressive lyrics and illustrious melodies – like giving your ears a hot bubble bath"
-- Indian E-Music
"The energy literally flows as it thunders towards to the end, leaving the listener wonder if he was actually at a live pub-gig raucously singing along with the rest of the patrons."
-- Music Aloud
"Michaelsen possesses an effortlessly powerful voice and plays ethereal Fripp-like guitar ... -- and you can guess the album will have wide appeal as it touches on slightly exotic elements and has a clear, soulful pop-rock sound."
-- Elsewhere
“My Pet Dragon plays well-crafted alt-rock and vocalist/songwriter Todd Michaelsen has a tenor voice
that falls somewhere between Thom Yorke & Muse's Matthew Bellamy."
-- Brooklyn Rocks
"sweeping, epic grandeur, part 90s British anthem band, part shoegaze and whichever way they turned, completely psychedelic. Frontman/guitarist Todd Michaelsen’s voice functions as an instrument....Michaelsen has a vocal range that would make Thom Yorke jealous” ...."vocalist/dancer Reena Shah would judiciously pick her spots to echo or play off Michaelsen’s soaring wail when she wasn’t moving around her corner of the stage with a grace that was as trance-inducing as the music."
--Lucid Culture