Mariah Carey: My Review & Ranking of the "Emancipation of Mimi" tracks
Submitted by shan2001 on Thu, 08/18/2005 - 08:56
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- Yes, it's worth listening to. (And contrary to the opinions of nay-sayers who just don't like anything that could ever be heard on the radio for whatever biased reasons, *ahem*, Mariah's talent does not need explanation or defending. Her mental stability... maybe, but that's not the issue!) But for the skeptics, I was one. I heard "It's Like That" every once in a while and thought "more of the same. Oh Mariah, you can do so much better." And then I heard 2 minute clips of several of the songs on this album. They sounded pretty good. So I bought it.
- First of all, Mariah is definitely still catering to the hip-hop crowd. The songs she's releasing as singles from this album are not my favorites AT ALL. Mariah CAN do better than "Shake it Off" and she DOES, fortunately. Unfortunately, my favorites probably will not be released as singles, as Mariah doesn't want to lose her hip-hop cred/Honorary Black status (lol).
- Stay the Night - This song was the first to really jump out at me. It is very hip-hop/R&B influenced, and that's great for folks like me who like to jam and dance when no one's looking. :-p But at the same time, it's Mariah using that voice at full strength. The perfect blend of hip-hop and vocal-flexing. Mariah gets it all right on this track.
- Fly Like a Bird - The spirit hits Mariah for the first time since "Anytime You Need a Friend". Although the flying and bird themes are SO overdone and corny now, Mariah brings new life to it. And this another song for those who just want to hear a great voice singing a great song. Pure Mariah voice aerobics. This is the best her voice has sounded in over a decade. This song EASILY trumps MANY from even her earliest stuff. Her voice is so clear and has much strength and emotion in this song. Very soulful and gospel-tinged. I can easily see choir members jumping around on one leg with this song. :-p (Don't pretend like you've never seen those gospel folks hopping around one on leg when they're off on another level and jammin'. Mary J. Blige has done it too. :-p) The presence of the Mariah squeal gives this song many bonus points too!
- We Belong Together - No, I don't hate the singles. In fact, I don't hate anything on this album. This song is tight just for the "If you Think You're Lonely Now" bit. :-p It has a really nice flow altogether, and her vocal flexing is amazing once again. Anyone who's not Mariah would sound terrible singing this (I know because I've tried! :-p). This is Mariah's 16th #1 single and has been declared the "Song of Summer". Go Mariah!
- I Wish You Knew - One of those "live performance" tracks, reminiscent of "I'll Be There". This is a pure song for those who just want to hear Mariah singing a song. No rappers, but there is Mariah doing some bad wannabe-Alicia Keys ad-libbing. :-p And this song contains the Mariah squeal! Mariah only hits that squeal when she KNOWS she's jamming and no one can pull her back. She's on a level all her own when she goes for that squeal.
- Circles - I love it when Mariah uses her voice at full-power. I don't mind the whispery stuff, I prefer a big, strong voice though. And she avoids the whispery stuff quite well in this song.
- Mine Again - More Mariah voice-aerobics. Gotta love it. No singer out there today, and I say that with confidence, no one can do the things that Mariah Carey does with her voice. Her control, alone is amazing. I haven't seen her perform in person, but I've seen enough live performances on TV to know that her voice isn't going to run away from her. Like Mary J. Blige, Christina Aguilera, Celine Dion, Aretha Franklin even... all known to "over-sing". Mariah can take it to the top and bring it way back down 2 or 3 times without taking a breath, it seems. I wish I could flex my vocal chords like that! :-p Also contains the Mariah squeal!
- Joy Ride - Very beautiful, flowery song. Lots of high notes. Contains a prolonged Mariah squeal! I love it! And the extended note she hits at the end, with the tear-drop in her voice at the very end of it... this is SINGING and control.
- It's Like That - The song grew on me after a while. "You like this and I know it" ... I do, I must confess. :-p This song is really really... smooth. That's the best word for it. Very feel-good.
- Say Somethin' - I've been increasingly anti-Snoop lately, but he doesn't hurt this song... not too much. He flows well with Mariah. Unlike some of Mariah's recent rap star combo songs, Snoop doesn't overwhelm the song. Mariah's vocals remain in the spotlight.
- One and Only - Another rap combo meal... this time with Twista. The good thing about this rap combo, is that Twista's flow is extremely smooth and not jolting; therefore he does not overwhelm this song.
- Shake it Off - I don't hate this song either. I thought it was just an odd choice for a single. It never really jumped out at me, but I suppose the hip-hop fans love it. I can imagine Beyonce singing this (or trying). But I like Mariah's rhyme, don't get me wrong. :-p
- Your Girl - Low-rated for now. I have a little beef, as this song was stuck in my head like trident for an entire week. Hearing the word "girl" in song titles is really annoying me. First we have Destiny's Child's headache-invoking ditty called "Girl", and then we have Gwen Stefani's "Hollaback Girl"... both of which get stuck on repeat in your helpless little brain, and then Mariah's "Girl" song comes and does the same thing... grr!
- Get Your Number - Another ditty for the hip-hop fans. It's pretty catchy, I love the part where Mariah brags about her stuff: "I got a house in Capri and my own G4 and that Benz with the doors that lift up from the floor", lol. I'm positive we'll hear Mariah rapping on her next album. :-p
- To the Floor - I am not a Nelly fan. Why, Mariah, WHY??? Nelly's presence almost overwhelms this song. I don't hate it, but not my favorite.
