Any Mariah Carey fans out there?

[Poody]

Well it's not going down as one my favorites.... but I do like the album.

It reminds me a little of Charmbracelet and Butterfly. I think too many of the songs sound too similar... damn The-Dream!

[The Little Merman]

I cannot wait for...today, apparently (I hadn't realized it was already midnight)!

I haven't heard anything other than "Obsessed" and "I Want to Know What Love Is," and I'm just itching to pick this up.

I've been hearing from friends who have listened to the leak that it's better than both Mimi and E=MC2. So excited.

[Poody]

^I don't think it's better than Mimi or E=MC2, well... maybe E=MC2... I donno I like all of them.

I'll be picking it up in a few hours!!!!

[MutantEnemy]

It really would take a lot for me to dislike a Mariah album and this one is a great, if uneven, addition to her catalog. Mariah never disappoints!!!

Love : Betcha Gon' Know, Obsessed, H.A.T.E. U. (my fave), Ribbon (2nd fave), It's A Wrap, Angels Cry w/ Prelude, Languishing (sounds like a forgotten Butterfly track, LOVE IT), and I Want To Know What Love Is.

Like: Candy Bling, Inseparable, Up Out My Face, Standing O

Meh: More Than Just Friends, The Impossible

Mariah Album Rankings:

01. Butterfly
02. Daydream
03. Music Box
04. Mariah Carey
05. Emotions
06. E=MC2
07. Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel
08.The Emancipation of Mimi
09. Rainbow
10. Charmbracelet

Mariah Fans, how does this album rate compared to Mariahs past work???

[Cordy_Biddle]

It really would take a lot for me to dislike a Mariah album and this one is a great, if uneven, addition to her catalog. Mariah never disappoints!!!

Love : Betcha Gon' Know, Obsessed, H.A.T.E. U. (my fave), Ribbon (2nd fave), It's A Wrap, Angels Cry w/ Prelude, Languishing (sounds like a forgotten Butterfly track, LOVE IT), and I Want To Know What Love Is.

Like: Candy Bling, Inseparable, Up Out My Face, Standing O

Meh: More Than Just Friends, The Impossible

Mariah Album Rankings:

01. Butterfly
02. Daydream
03. Music Box
04. Mariah Carey
05. Emotions
06. E=MC2
07. Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel
08.The Emancipation of Mimi
09. Rainbow
10. Charmbracelet

Mariah Fans, how does this album rate compared to Mariahs past work???

Hey, where's "Glitter" on your album list? Sure it's not her best but I consider it a pretty good effort.

[MutantEnemy]

It really would take a lot for me to dislike a Mariah album and this one is a great, if uneven, addition to her catalog. Mariah never disappoints!!!

Love : Betcha Gon' Know, Obsessed, H.A.T.E. U. (my fave), Ribbon (2nd fave), It's A Wrap, Angels Cry w/ Prelude, Languishing (sounds like a forgotten Butterfly track, LOVE IT), and I Want To Know What Love Is.

Like: Candy Bling, Inseparable, Up Out My Face, Standing O

Meh: More Than Just Friends, The Impossible

Mariah Album Rankings:

01. Butterfly
02. Daydream
03. Music Box
04. Mariah Carey
05. Emotions
06. E=MC2
07. Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel
08.The Emancipation of Mimi
09. Rainbow
10. Charmbracelet

Mariah Fans, how does this album rate compared to Mariahs past work???

Hey, where's "Glitter" on your album list? Sure it's not her best but I consider it a pretty good effort.

I agree with you, I just didn't include it because I personally consider it a soundtrack album so that's all there is to that...

[AwallaceUNC]

After listening through the album once, I'm extremely disappointed. There are a couple of decent tracks, but it's mostly filler. Dull, whisper-heavy r&b tracks. Very little vocal prowess. Almost instantly forgettable. I'm not even sure I want to listen to it a second time.

Sorry, MC fans! I'm a fan too but this album is an immediate reminder of the early 2000s.

-Aaron

[Cordy_Biddle]

Hey, where's "Glitter" on your album list? Sure it's not her best but I consider it a pretty good effort.

I agree with you, I just didn't include it because I personally consider it a soundtrack album so that's all there is to that...

Ah yes! Good point. Come to think of it, I think my copy is filed under soundtracks, too...

[MutantEnemy]

After listening through the album once, I'm extremely disappointed. There are a couple of decent tracks, but it's mostly filler. Dull, whisper-heavy r&b tracks. Very little vocal prowess. Almost instantly forgettable. I'm not even sure I want to listen to it a second time.

Sorry, MC fans! I'm a fan too but this album is an immediate reminder of the early 2000s.

-Aaron

HATER-

No but really, you should listen to something more than once because a lot of music takes repeated listenings to like/love. I don't know how many times I've listened to a song, said "I hate it", and then months later its my favorite song. It happens ALL THE TIME.

Anyway, let us know either way!!!

[AwallaceUNC]

I'm sure some of the songs will grow on me (I actually ended up already listening to the album a second time while driving around), but that won't change the fact that these are simple little songs. They don't evidence a lot of creativity in the composition, production, or lyrics (some of which are awful) and they don't at all showcase Mariah's voice (save for a few fleeting exceptions). There's a steady beat in most of the songs, so I'm sure that they'll grow on almost anyone who listens to them enough, but the material isn't very strong. Mariah spent the first half of her career producing albums that were stellar from beginning to end. I don't know if Memoirs was just rushed, or a pet project she allowed herself to indulge in, or if Mariah just has too much creative control over her music these days, but she can do better than this.

-Aaron

[DisneyFreak5282]

I agree, Aaron. I just feel like this album wasn't as good as E=MC2. I'm guessing it was too rushed. I don't know why she would release an album so close to her last one, but then again that one wasn't as successful as the one before that (TEOM). If an artist has / had an album I fell in love with, I would eventually get tired of the album, and I'd always want that particular artist to release albums and music faster. Now that Mariah has done what I've always wanted an artist I get hooked on to do, I don't think it's such a good idea.

I became a fan late in the game - last year when "Touch My Body" first came out. I had been a slight fan with "It's Like That" back in 2005, but never bought TEOM at that time because all the songs from it got overplayed, I felt, and eventually I got annoyed.

My friend lent me her debut album, Butterfly, Daydream, and Music Box and I CD-R'd them because at the time I did not have enough money to buy them.

Everytime someone talks about Mariah they mention her '90s music. Since my friend lent me the '90s CDs and I CD-R'd them, I felt a little guilty and therefore never listened to them much, with the exception of Butterly (well...its first 4 or 5 songs ). Today I thought "screw it. I'll be buying all these albums eventually", so I made a playlist. That playlist consists of all of Mariah's studio albums (some with international bonus tracks). 158 songs. 7 minutes shy of 11 hours. I plan on listening to it ALL. Most likely not in one sitting, but it will get done nonetheless. I'm on song #2 - "There's Got to be a Way".

[AwallaceUNC]

Today I thought "screw it. I'll be buying all these albums eventually", so I made a playlist. That playlist consists of all of Mariah's studio albums (some with international bonus tracks). 158 songs. 7 minutes shy of 11 hours. I plan on listening to it ALL. Most likely not in one sitting, but it will get done nonetheless. I'm on song #2 - "There's Got to be a Way".

That's an awesome idea! You've inspired me to listen to some old-school Mariah albums as well.

I got Mariah Carey's self-titled debut when it came out in 1990 -- first on cassette tape, then on CD. I bought each of her albums after that (with the exception of Glitter, Charmbracelet, and some of the compilations). The first six to seven years of her career were phenomenal and she produced some of my favorite music during that time. I steadily lost interest with her beginning in the late '90s with Butterfly (an album that contained some really great tracks but a lot of weak songs that signaled the major change in direction that was to come for her as an artist) and especially Rainbow. While I've liked a handful of her songs to come since then, everything she has done since Daydream in 1995 has fallen short of her potential. I think The #1s was probably the end of an era -- I was just hoping that Memoirs would at least be up to the slightly heightened standards of Mimi and E=MC2... but it's not.

I hope you enjoy your Mariah marathon and that you find an appreciation for what I consider to be her best music.

-Aaron

[DisneyFreak5282]

That's an awesome idea! You've inspired me to listen to some old-school Mariah albums as well.

Sweet! I took a little break about halfway through the first album and now I'm back and on the last song of her debut. I am in LOVE with "Prisoner". Wow. Just...wow!

I got Mariah Carey's self-titled debut when it came out in 1990 -- first on cassette tape, then on CD. I bought each of her albums after that (with the exception of Glitter, Charmbracelet, and some of the compilations). The first six to seven years of her career were phenomenal and she produced some of my favorite music during that time. I steadily lost interest with her beginning in the late '90s with Butterfly (an album that contained some really great tracks but a lot of weak songs that signaled the major change in direction that was to come for her as an artist) and especially Rainbow. While I've liked a handful of her songs to come since then, everything she has done since Daydream in 1995 has fallen short of her potential. I think The #1s was probably the end of an era -- I was just hoping that Memoirs would at least be up to the slightly heightened standards of Mimi and E=MC2... but it's not.

Well here's my Mariah timeline, just so you can get an idea of how I got used to her music. This all went down in 2008

Ironically enough, Glitter was the first Mariah album I bought. We were in the Virgin Megastore in Downtown Disney on the day E=MC2 was released and I absolutely could not decide if I wanted the standard edition or the Deluxe. I found Glitter for like $13, and I vaguely remembered seeing the video for "Loverboy" back in '01 and liking it so I bought it. When I got home from vacation I didn't think Glitter was as bad as all the reviews made it out to be.

The following week I bought E=MC2 at Target on sale for $9.99 and the Deluxe Edition was on sale for $14.99. I was angry that the DE was $5 more for a stupid iPod cover, poster, and digipak packaging so I went with the standard edition.

About a week later I got Rainbow new at FYE for $7.99. I liked it, but I wasn't completely in love with it (the cover and poster inside is a totally different story .... haha, just kidding ). Two or so weeks later I found the original release for The Emancipation of Mimi used for $8. I saw the Ultra Platinum Edition everywhere, but I wanted just the Platinum Edition, because that one came with the DVD as well as the bonus tracks, while the UPE came with just the bonus tracks.

I listened to Daydream maybe once in its entirety, but I wasn't completely into it for whatever reason (I don't remember).

I'm not a fan of ballads, so naturally Music Box did not leave a great first impression on me, and I haven't given it a second listen, although I should. I did like "Now That I Know", though!

I listened to the first 5 tracks on Butterfly and fell in love, but I really wanted to wait until I got the album officially to hear the rest

After my birthday at the end of May I found Charmbracelet and Emotions used at FYE for $6.99 and $3.99 respectively, so I bought them. I really only liked tracks 2 - 4 on Charmbracelet, and, like most people, I got annoyed at how Mariah basically whispered through the entire album. I had never really paid much attention to Emotions, I just bought it because it's the hardest MC album to find in my area, but I gave it a quick mindless listen and liked a few of the tracks.

I hope you enjoy your Mariah marathon and that you find an appreciation for what I consider to be her best music.

Thanks! I'm lovin' it so far!

[AwallaceUNC]

You've been working in semi-reverse order then. That means it's all uphill for you! And yeah, I remember pulling out those Rainbow liner notes for the first time even now.

-Aaron

[universALLove]

OMG!!! So much great Mariah news.....

Mariah to Release Memoirs Remix Album

Trey Songz reveals he recorded a remix to "Inseparable" last month

Fans who picked up Mariah Carey's latest Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel most likely noticed the absence of features, but the singer is about to make up for it. Tricky Stewart and Trey Songz spill details exclusively to Rap-Up.com on Carey's top-secret remix album.

Details are slowly emerging about the project, which will include remixes to every song on Memoirs. "There's gonna be remixes to everything," says Tricky. "I'm actually doing some remixing myself currently 'cause some of these records were so much fun to make. It's easy to go in and do a remix."

The mega-producer already has something in mind for the diva's Foreigner cover. "I'm gonna do a remix to 'I Want to Know What Love Is' myself. I'mma raise the tempo up. I'mma try to make it into something else."

He may even add a guest to it. "Once I get the beat and if it calls for the right person, I can get anybody on the phone I want to right now, so I will be using my Rolodex for that."

One of the featured artists on the new project will be Trey Songz, who exclusively discloses to Rap-Up.com that he recorded a remix to one of Memoirs' cuts last month. "Mariah Carey, I believe she's doing a remix album and I'm on a record entitled 'Inseparable,'" he shares.

Trey put everything aside once he got the call. "I actually only had a day to do it. I did it on my day off. [They were] very professional, very adamant on wanting to get it done. They made sure we had all we needed. I just went in and got it done."

Can't wait to hear what it sounds like!!!

"H.A.T.E.U" is 3rd Single from Memoirs
The invite-only exclusive performance by Mariah at the P.C. Richard & Son Theater in Tribeca, New York packed the venue to its capacity last night. Mariah looked stunning and performed "Obsessed," "Always Be My Baby," "H.A.T.E.U.," "I Want To Know What Love Is," and "We Belong Together." The show was recorded and will be put up on iheartradio.com at some point.

At the show, Mariah mentioned that although they will still be working on "I Want To Know What Love Is," her next single is "H.A.T.E.U." and that she absolutely loves the remixes for "H.A.T.E.U."

I'm SO happy H.A.T.E.U is the next single, it's my favourite song on the entire album and her best ballad since "We Belong Together"

[universALLove]

H.A.T.E.U. Remix:

http://www.rap-up.com/2009/10/08/new-mu ... more-28412

[MutantEnemy]

Mariah's new Christmas album Merry Christmas II You is slated for release on November 2nd, 2010!!!



This album comes 16 years after her first Christmas album, Merry Christmas. The first single is called Oh Santa and can be listened to through http://www.MariahDaily.com! Enjoy!!!

[AwallaceUNC]

I'm cautiously optimistic for the new album. I consider Mariah's original Christmas album to be among the greatest ever recorded, so there's plenty of reason to be excited for this one. She certainly wouldn't be the first artist to follow up one great Christmas project with another.

That said, Mariah's track record has been pretty spotty over the last ten years. Her most recent album was a total disappointment -- another load of boring and whispery R&B and songs confusing dance floor beats with pop. I really hope she doesn't go in that direction for her Christmas CD. Merry Christmas had timeless production values and I'm looking for that same direction here.

The new "All I Want for Christmas is You" remix worries me. The last time that song was remixed (on her Greatest Hits CD), it was an offensive disaster.

-Aaron

[MutantEnemy]

I'm cautiously optimistic for the new album. I consider Mariah's original Christmas album to be among the greatest ever recorded, so there's plenty of reason to be excited for this one. She certainly wouldn't be the first artist to follow up one great Christmas project with another.

That said, Mariah's track record has been pretty spotty over the last ten years. Her most recent album was a total disappointment -- another load of boring and whispery R&B and songs confusing dance floor beats with pop. I really hope she doesn't go in that direction for her Christmas CD. Merry Christmas had timeless production values and I'm looking for that same direction here.

The new "All I Want for Christmas is You" remix worries me. The last time that song was remixed (on her Greatest Hits CD), it was an offensive disaster.

-Aaron

I agree...looking back, the last album didn't know what it wanted to be. I think she wants to still appeal to a modern audience but she needs to realize she is 40 years old. I don't even care that she wears tight clothing and acts "eternally 12" but she should be reigning it in and singing adult pop or R&B at this point. That said, I will follow her wherever she goes, and the album before "Memoirs," "E=MC2," is my favorite album from her this past decade, so I know she still has it in her to deliver the goods.

But back to the new X-mas album, I'm excited because "Merry Christmas" is a staple in my holiday music collection. Plus she's recording many classic christmas songs. I would DIE if she recorded "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas", but so far these are the confirmed tracks:

Oh Santa- New!
The First Noel
Little Drummer Boy
O Little Town of Bethlehem
Oh Come All Ye Faithful
All I Want For Christmas Is You (2010 Version)- side note: Mariah, do you really want people to make the comparison? Probably not the best idea...

Oh and Aaron, great Beauty and the Beast review! (I would post it in the actual BATB thread but the "colors" talk bores me to tears...)

[James]

The first single from MC2Y, Oh Santa! has been leaked-



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1uK1Y43r8k

I kinda like it, but its nowhere near AIWFCIY. Could chart well n gain decent airplay. Here's hoping she actually does well with this effort though.

And nothing about Mariah would be complete without excess......a gift set will be available as well. The package will include the Marry Christmas II You album enclosed in a golden box (7.5 x 7.5 x 5.5 inches), a 40-page hardcover photo album, a sticker tag sheet and collectible butterfly holiday ornament.



We definitely get our fill of Mariah this Xmas!