Mariah Carey - E=MC2
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Free Music Notes for E=MC2
Free Music Review: How does E=MC^2 remotely relate to Mariah Carey?
Hit: 5 Stars
Mariah Carey finally releases "E=MC^2" after three long years, which is a follow up to the incredibly successful "The Emancipation of Mimi". According to Mariah, Einstein's formula "E=MC^2" means (in relation to Mariah's album) "Emancipation = Mariah Carey to the Second Power". She also jokingly revealed that she failed remedial math. This explanation sets the tone and feeling of the album. Mariah just wanted to create a fun album like "The Emancipation of Mimi", but fuel it with energy by including strong ballads, addictive mid-tempos and club hits. That's what to expect with this album...a continuation of Emancipation, but a stronger effort.
The album begins with "Migrate", a Danja produced track featuring T-Pain. I wasn't blown away with Mariah's performance of this song on SNL, but listen to the album version and it'll become a favorite. The only problem I have with this track is the "auto tune" digitized sound of the song. Mariah's 18th #1 hit "Touch My Body" is a simple pop song with catchy lyrics (Remember the ubiquitous line "I will hunt you down"?). "Cruise Control" featuring Damian Marley is an unexpected addition to the album because Mariah sings in Jamaican patois. It's actually a nice reggae song with a soothing summer vibe, despite Mariah's unconvincing Jamaican dialect. She sings, "They be hop-on, to rob the clock me say no man. Step up step up bottle broken. Think I'm jokin'."
"I'm That Chick" is a 70s soul mid-tempo, in which Mariah samples Michael Jackson's "Off the Wall". The lyrics are very interesting and creative as Mariah describes herself "like Pac, all eyes on me", "[hypnotizing] like Biggie" and "like that uptown haze them real thugs blaze." Got to love Mariah's sense of humor. "Love Story" seems like the sister of "We Belong Together" I'm not too crazy about the song (maybe because I love "We Belong Together" too much), but many people will love it. The other love songs include "Last Kiss", "Thanx for Nothing" "I Stay in Love" and "For the Record". My personal favorite is "For the Record", which alludes to previous Mariah songs such as "We Belong Together", "Underneath the Stars", "Always Be My Baby", "My All" and "Honey". In this song, Mariah sings about giving a past love "another try" by "pressing rewind". I also like "I Stay in Love" because it's a simple song but with powerful vocals. I feel "Last Kiss" and "Thanx for Nothing" might grow on me after more listens, but they aren't my favorites. They are a bit generic.
"I'll Be Lovin' U Long Time" is a great track, which should have been released as a future single. Everything from the beat to the vocals is flawless and addictive. "OOC" or "Out of Control" is one of Mariah's "inside joke" songs. Wasn't amazing first listen, but after a couple of listens, I found myself liking it.
This album is more "emancipating" than The Emancipation of Mimi because Mariah finally reveals more about her personal life. She sings about losing her father in the cathartic and universal song "Bye Bye" (think of "Sunflowers for Alfred Roy" and "One Sweet Day" combined), being in an abusive and controlling relationship in the amazing Stock Storch produced "Side Effects" and wishing people well in the gospel song "I Wish You Well". "Bye Bye" is Mariah's new single and is a beautifully written song about losing loved ones ("This is for my people who lost their grandmothers"). The only problem I have with this song is the generic and mainstream Stargate beat, but Mariah's vocals really convey the proper emotions. "Side Effects" is the best track on the album because Mariah finally gets real. Her hard shield seems to disappear as she sings about her tumultuous times with her ex-husband Tommy Mottola. She sings, "...You were scared that I'd become much more than you could handle. Shining like a chandelier that decorated every room inside this private hell we built. And I dealt with it. Like a kid I wished I could fly away..." "I Wish You Well" showcases Mariah's powerful range while delivering a great gospel song that refers to the Bible four times (Proverbs 19:29, 1 John 4:4, Philippians 4:9 and Psalms 129: 2). "I Wish You Well" is very reminiscent of "Vanishing" from Mariah's debut album and "I Am Free" from "Daydream". If you think Mariah's voice is fading away, just listen to this song and you'll be blown away.
Overall, I think "E=MC^2" is a solid effort by Mariah Carey. The only negatives I see with "E=MC^2" are a few generic love songs ("Last Kiss", "Thanx for Nothing") and the fact that Mariah is playing it safe. "E=MC^2" is basically a poppish duplicate of "The Emancipation". But again, I can't hold anything against Mariah because that was her concept. She wanted to make an album that was a continuation of "The Emancipation". She did, however, redeem herself by including more personal songs such as "Side Effects" and "I Wish You Well". Mariah truly shines on songs when she's revealing who she is and what she's gone through. Nevertheless, I predict a great year for Mariah with an album that will beat the success of her highly praised 2005's "The Emancipation of Mimi".
(Overall grade: B+)
Free Music Review: Further proof that Carey ain't going anywhere but up...
Hit: 5 Stars
When `Charmbracelet' was released to critical panning (it wasn't `all' bad) I became distressed at the thought that my beloved Mariah would never recover. Then she dropped `The Emancipation of Mimi' on us all and proved that the voice was indeed back. Still, as much as I love and adore Mariah she still needed to release another slam-dunk in order to fully reclaim her place at the top of the pack. Consider `E=MC2' that slam-dunk. With her second offering since her rebirth Mariah delivers a solid and complete album that takes the brilliant foundation that was `Mimi' and builds on it with confidence and pure presence. Her voice soars and her sensuality embodies each and every track. `E=MC2' can rest easily at the top of Mariah's impressive discography as one of her finest contributions to music.
The album opens with an instant classic, `Migrate', a brilliantly constructed Hip-Hop track that pairs Mariah up with rising star T-Pain. The feel of the track is ultimate club-savvy and the lyrics only accentuate Mariah's golden sensuality. T-Pain's verse is far from skimped here. What irritates me about a lot of collabos lately is that the rappers brought in to spice up the track bring nothing special to their game. That is far from the case on `Migrate' where T-Pain brings his A-Game and then some. Mariah has a few other guest stars here as well. Young Jeezy brings heat to `Side Effects', a Hip-Hop laced track that captures Mariah's ability to mold herself into anything. She effortlessly slides right into the music of today and brings her all to it. I was floored with `Cruise Control' which teams Mariah up with Damian Marley. Like her collabo with Twista on `Mimi', Mariah easily falls right into reggae mode and keeps the pace with Marley beautifully. You would never guess that this was not her niche. `Cruise Control' proves to be one of the biggest highlights on the album.
Judging from the frisky single `Touch My Body', it's apparent that Carey is going to have her fair share of Pop heavy tracks. `Touch My Body' is a phenomenal example of what a killer voice and a catchy beat can do. It's playful and memorable and just what the doctor ordered. Her breathy delivery only adds weight to the tracks brilliance. Following in that vein we are given the bouncy `I'm that Chick' and the even bouncier `O.O.C.'. Both tracks are fun and fresh and catchy beyond words. Then there's the infectious `I'll be Lovin' U Long Time', one of the best tracks on the album. It's such classic Mariah, like something off of `Daydream' or `Butterfly'; bouncy, fresh, catchy and high spirited. `Last Kiss' carries that same vibe and sounds like earlier Carey.
And then of course there have to be the ballads.
`I Stay in Love' is the first of many, and it sets the precedent for the tracks to follow. It's tender and Mariah sounds impeccable as usual. `Love Song' and `Thanx 4 Nothin' serve as two of the best tracks on the album. `Love Song' finds Mariah singing her heart out (and what a voice) about her version of a love story and how she sees this love working itself out. `Thanx 4 Nothin' is a much different brand of ballad, where Mariah bellows about love gone wrong. The song is a classic abusive relationship track that Carey approaches with maturity and class. `For the Record' is brilliant; capturing the past successes of Mariah and combining them in one smash ballad.
The album closes with two uplifting ballads that are signatures of Mariah at this point. `Bye Bye', her latest single, is a beautiful song that reminds me a bit of `Butterfly' in its structure; it goes right for the heartstrings. She's obviously singing this to her father, but as she's said in interview; this song is for anyone who has every lost anyone, which is everyone. The closing track `I Wish You Well' is a beautiful track that can stand on its own here. It's not her finest ballad but it is strong and simple and allows Mariah's voice to shine on its own.
In the end, `E=MC2' is a near perfect album that immortalizes the `diva' that is Mariah Carey. Like on other reviewer already mentioned; Mariah Carey is the one singer of this generation that will be remembered for generations to come. Our children and our children's children will all know and come to love the phenomenally gifted creature known as Mariah Carey.
Free Music Review: You'll Be Lovin' This Long Time
Hit: 5 Stars
"E=MC2" is another one for the record books. Songs from this album will grace radio waves deep into 2009.
In similar fashion to her unprecedented commercial comeback "The Emancipation of Mimi," 2005's highest-selling LP, Mariah Carey has crafted what both fans and casual listeners will enjoy - an album that plays like a greatest hits project, with nearly every selection having the makings of a killer hit single. Her songwriting is at its peak - deep, earthy, frisky and fun - much like Carey herself. That generation-defining voice has never sounded fuller of passion, vigor and purpose. The melodies are strong and instantly memorable, the songs perfectly sing-able even for those lacking Carey's luminous pipes.
The biggest surprise about "E=MC2" is that, aside from its being a consistently satisfying collection of unshakable pop melodies and inspiring ballads, it shares no obvious commonalities with other LPs in Carey's catalogue, including its predecessor. This may discourage those with set expectations, but further listens reveal increased treasures. This is a recording built to last.
Her lyrics are always self-effacing, but she raises the bar on "Side Effects" and the dignified closer "I Wish You Well." The former is dark and straightforward, detailing the pain of an emotionally crippling relationship with a sizzling rap from mega-talented Young Jeezy.
The latter, meanwhile, deals with the same topic in a more understated fashion. Finding solace in verses from the Bible, she rises up against persecution ("No weapon formed against me shall prosper") and finds inner strength:
"So the more you curse me/The more you're blessing me/The Word said it/Love your enemies/Do good to those who curse you/Pray for those who mistreat you."
There is plenty of room for fun as well - as she coos on "I'm That Chick," a bouncy, ultra-catchy slice of old school soul, "I brings that levity." That track, as well as the Supremes-esque "I'll Be Lovin' You Long Time," sizzle with addictive hooks and wall-to-wall Mariahs singing over each other. Others like the sassy, dancefloor-ready "O.O.C. (Out of Control)," which has such snappy lyrics and blazing attitude that its title seems destined work its way shorthand vernacular, sound crafted to blare out of top-down convertible stereos on hot summer afternoons.
"Migrate" featuring T-Pain ("From my car into the club we migrate/From the bar to V.I.P. we migrate") and "Cruise Control" featuring Damien Marley ("I've been told so many sagas/He brings the drama, six baby mamas") both appear destined smash hits with their irrepressible choruses, and "I Stay In Love" is a classic Carey ballad that nevertheless finds her throwing curveballs at her creative palette.
"For the Record," however, may be the album's penultimate moment. Assuring a former love that her fire still burns bright, she namedrops some of her '90s records amid the buoyant, violin-infused instrumentation:
"Can't nobody say/I didn't give my all to you/And for the record/I told you underneath the stars that you belong to me/For the record/It's obvious that we just can't let go of us, honey."
Carey proves herself to be in the throes of an awesome creative streak with "E=MC2." The last album proved her talent unstoppable in spite of the odds against her, but this one affirms she is here to stay. She has never been more sexy, more beautiful, more moving or inspiring. Carey proves yet again that through all the imitators and worthy chart rivals there is only one performer with the killer combo of vocal perfection and songwriting panache.
"Them other regularities, they can't compete with MC," she continues on the aforementioned track. "The whole entire world can tell that you love yourself some me."
Our great-grandchildren will surely not remember most of today's entertainers, but "E=MC2" adds further likelihood that Carey will prove an exception to the rule.
Free Music Review: Mariah For President : A Slice of Pop Perfection
Hit: 5 Stars
Every Mariah Carey album is an event worth waiting for, and such was the case with this glorious return-to-form. So many professional reviews seem to prefer "The Emancipation of Mimi" over this - but I guess they haven't listened to this long enough. Its twice as playful as `Mimi', and definitely more musically creative. On certain songs, little snippets stand out, a sample here and there - but everything comes together beautifully. This is also clearly an album that holds up - almost demands - repeat listening, only because there are vast riches here to rediscover.
What a treasure that in this day and age we have an artist who understands what it means to truly record a genuine `pop' album, and also one without any filler. The `filler' is something that Mariah herself has had trouble with - on `Mimi' there were at least three sub-par tracks, and early in her career she was notorious for some real snoozefests amongst the more popular singles on her albums. On this new CD, almost every track is made for radio (which may be a good or bad thing based on how interested you are in pop music as art versus pop music as fun), and its easy to see why this is clearly Mariah's best album after "Butterfly" (which despite being from the mid 1990s, never sounds dated in the least).
Lead single "TMB" is actually the least interesting thing here. In between Jamaican banter on "Cruise Control", Mariah makes the time for Jesus ("I Wish you Well"), discusses divorce and sleeping with the enemy (on "Side Effects"), ponders the death of a relationship ("Thanx for Nothin"), flits in and out of nightclubs for no apparent reason ("Migrate"), and spouts eulogies for her dead grandparents ("Bye Bye"). She manages to lacquer all of the above in a bright lavender gloss and Hello Kitty-esque lyrical input, so that even in her most supposedly poignant moments (such as on the final gospel track), its impossible not to just step back and gaze in awe at the absolute pinkness of the project. I mean this in a nice way.
What really shines here though is the production. The best track on the album by a long shot is "I'm That Chick" - an amalgamation of Michael Jackson's late 1970s hits with some Neptunes-lite production - the song has a killer verse, soaring pre-chorus, and an actual chorus that is twenty times better than anything currently on the radio. A perfect pop song - I wish Janet Jackson could have learnt from Mariah before attempting those disco sounding numbers on her last tepid album. "For the Record" towards the end of the album is to me what "We Belong Together" was to the "Mimi" Era - a superb slice of fine songwriting and a verse and chorus that you will be humming for months - I expect this to be a monster hit.
In fact, the album itself is too big and grand to believe - not since Shania Twain's "Come on Over" has an album contained so many potential Top 10 singles - with the sole exception of the somewhat boring "Last Kiss", every track here is top notch. And while Mariah is not exactly hitting the whistle register anymore (those high, glass-shattering vocals are found only on the opening seconds of "Migrate" and on the background of "I Wish you Well"), her singing sounds as capable and interesting as ever.
All in all, this is both a pop music lover and a musicians' album, with emphasis on the music. For all its' chart success, one tends to forget that is definitely the most musically lush release of 2008, and harkens back to the day when Mariah ruled the airwaves and charts - because she deserved to. As a Mariah fan, she has often let me down, especially with the disgusting "Charmbracelet", but the effortless ease and charm of this new CD will make you an instant convert. Seriously, even if you're a die-hard rock music fan, chances are that you will fall in love with this album almost immediately - and how many albums can you say that about?
Four and a Half Stars.
Free Music Review: Been a fan for nearly 10 years
Hit: 5 Stars
I really love this CD. I'm 24 and have been a huge Mariah fan pretty much her whole career. I liked the early stuff, always was awestuck by her voice. Daydream and Butterly solidified my obsession. There's a been a few bumps along the way, definitely some hits and misses. I won't even mention Glitter because it speaks for itself. Charmbracelet was very forgettable with maybe a handful of decent tracks. But then Emancipation came out and it was clear that Mariah was back, though she never left...was really more dormant than anything. To be honest I like E=MC2 better than The Emancipation of Mimi. It almost seems like this CD is a different, but slightly better and more cohesive version of that album. Its got versions of Mariah's music on it that all of her different fans can appreciate. There's a great fusion of Hip-Hop, Pop, and R&B a la Mariah at her best. There's ballads that showcase her beautiful range and however many octaves ("I Stay In Love"), which I think if released as a single could be pretty big along the lines of We Belong Together.
I really like "Side Effects", its a great pop song...has a great beat resonating throughout, and the lyrics are powerful. Its a not so subtle nod to the wreckage that was her marriage to Tommy Mottola, and you can see that even now after all this time she's still effected by that relationship; the hold he had on her-- and needless to say its made for great song writing material (if anything?). I really hope it gets released as a single, because whereas it's obviously really personal its the kind of song that you can tell a lot of people would easily relate to. Within seconds of hearing it, you know its something big. You can't change the track when it comes on.
Other stand-outs for me would be For The Record, Thanx For Nothing, Bye Bye.
Overall the CD is pretty diverse. There's the introspective and powerful Side Effects, the club/party ready Migrate, the sexy R&B tinged Touch My Body, the fun 70s throwback almost disco-ish I'll Be Lovin' You Long Time, and then there's Bye Bye which is almost like a signature Mariah track in the way that its inspiring and uplifting at times. She seems to have at least one of these on all her albums. (Of the past I would list songs like Caught In The Rain, Butterfly, Can't Take That Away, etc) Granted not all of the themes are exactly the same, they still have similar effects.
I just love it because no matter what my mood, there's always something good on here to fit it. And her voice sounds really great- definitely no disappointment there.
There's really no filler on this CD. All of the songs are strong in themselves. If skeptical, I'd say at least try Side Effects, Thanx For Nothing, For The Record, or Cruise Control.
There's that old phrase "Imitation is the best form of flattery"....and well, Mariah certainly has a lot of imitators. But she is the one and only! The records speak for themselves. There'll always be naysayers and haters, but obviously she's got this formula pretty down pat as she keeps churning out the #1 hits and making platinum records. There's all these young new singers, like Leona Lewis for example, who are getting compared to Mariah...which I think is a joke. But then these women are asked who their influences are, and who do the reply with? Mariah.