Real time review - my first listen * and ** and ***
"It's Like that" Generic backbeat. That boom, rattle-snare common in hip-hop allegedly enhances the feminine voice.
Nope. This is standard fare.
"The Emancipation of Mimi" was released today amid articles of Mariah Carey - still the best selling solo female singer in history - being happy and more in terms with herself.
"We Belong Together", Aaaaaaah. The bass fades and the voice starts to move center stage. A love song with her cared for, blissful voice strong. There are no hysteronics performed; no falling up the musical scale.
I remember that when I tried to listen to Butterfly, I was still in awe of the voice, but it was too slow for me; too much airy fluff and not enough chocolate mousse.
Thus reassured, I can enjoy the opening Missyesque beats of "Shake It Off." A story clearly about shedding an oily skin of tension, boyfriend and rumor, coming out refreshed and reborn. A great woman's anthem, without a mention of eating pootang or emasculation.
"I've just got to shake him off. Loving ain't the same, and you keep on playing games. Like you know I'm here to stay"
"Mine Again" starts with the schmaltz of Stevie Wonder's Mon Cheri" for the first few bars and then .... ooohh that voice folds in, talking to me: I remember when you used to be mine, way back when. ...
All kinds of 80s emotions of Solid and Spandeau Ballet, and aaah that's it, a Whitney Houston. That's it. Here, not quite as soulful as Whitney at her best. Not to be competitive, here, but someone just released an album today and the other just entered drug rehab for the third time last week.
Someone is indeed happy.
It ends in a nice crystal note that, with almost anyone else, you'd know was computer generated. Here, it hits the silence gap and fades, putting a picture in my mind of a shooting star in an otherwise empty universe.
"Say somethin." Snoop Dogg kinda butts in, coming in on the end of that beautiful note from "Mine Again." Dogg looks stupid (the hair mostly), but has a heart and I have always enjoyed his smooth and blunted voice, his laid-back delivery, best on Gin and Juice.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - javier
Being a fan of different varieties of music this is what I thought after buying Mimi's (Mariah) new CD.
Mariah has had her ups and downs. She was down for a bit there, but now she's back!I agree with your review. I heard it the first time and it was different. But listening to a few times now and I've come to really like it. No American Idol wanna-be's or "Britney like" image. She can really sing!
For those of us who know what its like to be at the bottom then make it back up, you can feel her!
Mariah is back!!!
2 - Temple Stark
Cool. This was my reaction as I typed along to my very first listen.
The Talent is There.
I think animosity should be reserved for the porn queen Paris Hiltons of the world (if we discount for the moment the more serious animosity for child molesters terrorists etc etc)
3 - Jenn Bogard
Well Well Well. Mariah, I think that she is great, I like the album because it's her, not because it's great. when I think of Mariah I think of her in the early 90's. Vision of Love, Love takes time, etc... I miss those days, but for all you Mariah fans, I can't weait for everyone to hear this nwe girl about to come out, her name is Lisa Lavie, and coincedentally she just finished her first album with Ben Margulies, Who co-write of all of Mariah's First hits. I hear that this girl's album will be released this year. It's Crazy off the chain, Soaring vocals, Crazy style
4 - rty
mariah carey cant sing if her life depended on it. She screaTches like an Alley cat. by the waY..she is not even the closest to being the top selling female artist of all time..its a title her record company gave her when her career went south. Also..if she had so much "talent" then why does she have to employ a rapper for every song of hers.
5 - ihateoreilly
Mariah the biggest selling female artist of all time? That was hype created by Virgin, to try and restart Mariah's horrifying failed career. Madonna and Streisand have sold way over 200 million albums each (Mariah Carey has sold 150 million) and they can sell out concerts. Mariah Carey's last tour was such a failure that it was downsized from arenas to high school gymnasiums...and it STILL couldn't sell out. All you "lambs" should realize that Mariah is a no-talent who's voice resembles a dog whistle rather than that of a real singer. Too bad she didn't commit suicide after her breakdown.
6 - Temple Stark
Probably right on the "best-selling" not on much else, though. Popularity does not = good.
7 - cd
Mariah's music never has transcended commercialism. "The Emancipation of Mimi" makes no attempt to be anything other than a money making venture. Perhaps this album is a slicker more devious attempt at pulling in the Benjamins then the lame Charmbracelot or Glitter, but one could never call it art. The tracks sound very much like that of the current pop/r&b stars such as Beyonce or Ashanti. Mariah's voice, never supple or distinctive, is even less effective here alternating between breathy whispers, screams, and ear-drum shattering dog whistles. Mariah, never a true soul singer, goes through the motions but never connects with the emotions. Apparently she penned some of the tunes, a feat not worth bragging about.
8 - Temple Stark
I agreed CD, it's not 100-percent art. However, she's trying to get back on track and she's producing what she likes to hear right now. Unlike most of us, she can do something about it. Do I think it could have been stronger and more original? Yes. Do I want something as sterile as Butterfly (for the most part) no. However, both are commercial successes.
9 - welly
I love Mariah, especially in this album, She's doing great!!!
10 - John
This album is her best in years.OMG someone said she "sounded squeeky"!!! for those idiots...That squeeky things is called "whistle register" people who's into singing knows that its rare since not many singers can hit notes in that range!!! so idiots please stop reviewing if you dont have a slightest clue about music!!!
Vocally Mariah is up there with Whitney,and Xtina, or even better!!
Welcome back Mariah!!!
oh and Please show the world the return of your voice, I want to hear more ballads...
I want to hear "The Emancipation of Mariah".
11 - james mclafferty
Mariah is a goddess and long may she rule,she's also a hotty i've just seen her fhm pics yuuuum.:-)
12 - Eric Olsen
oh James, and here I was learning to trust your judgment
13 - james mclafferty
ERIC,we all have our weaknesses mate ,(lol);-),
14 - james mclafferty
ERIC,so you'll let me off with this one then?,(smile),apart from your lovely wife of course who do you prefer?
15 - james mclafferty
Eric,have you let me off with the whole mariah thing yet mate?.(lol).
16 - Temple Stark
If he hasn't, I have.
17 - Temple Stark
Hey there used to be lots of comments here. What happened?
18 - Temple Stark
Sorry, I came here and none of the comments were here. Weird.
19 - Latameccia
I really want to know what is your email address i am the biggest fan in the hole wide world i love you mariah
20 - Latameccia
i want your email my big fan plese email me your email address
21 - Sami
ok i have just a couple of things to say.. to say madanna is better then mariah carey? u have no brain.. i hate maddanna .. or how ever spell her name! .. mariah carey has come baq.. and has liek the highest voice ever!! shes not sqeaky.. yes she has had ups and owns.. but she has been able to come baq after that last mental break down.. but to say she should have killed her self? umm u must not no how it feels to b in that position.. and i feel srri for her bc he dad died! ok? so i would b upswt aot to if my dad died.. soo ya'll need to shut up.. i mean only ppl come on here to start stuff and its stupid.. u only want attention.. but u need to stop.. leave her alone!!
22 - DR. A.W Chase
mariah rules she looks so good i would eat her shit!
23 - DR. A.W Chase
mariah carey looks so good i would eat her shit!
24 - Al Barger
Dr Chase, if you actually bought this crappy album, then you pretty much already HAVE eaten her poo.
25 - Temple Stark
eeeeeeeeeew. No. Just no.
I'm out of the room when she needs to go.
LOL