Mariah is back. Or, should I say Mimi has arrived.
Mariah Carey has been laying low for a few years, giving us time to get it in our heads that she is indeed, not crazy, and she has what it takes to put herself at the top of the charts where she’s reigned for so many years. The Emnciaption of Mimi is her newest album that thankfully gives me something to be happy about.
Back in 2001, when Mariah released Glitter, I hung my head in shame. Yes, I am a die-hard Mariah fan. Yes, I bought the album (Mariah says it’s a “soundtrack,” not an album) on September 11th and I saw the movie on opening day the weekend after 9/11. I supported my girl even when she was seemingly losing her marbles live on MTV’s “TRL.” My friends used to talk bad about me because I own Glitter (the album and the movie). The bottom line is, I have endured it all as a Mariah Carey fan. But now, my day has come. I have been vindicated. Emancipation is something to talk about. Yes folks, Emancipation is something to write home about.
If Mariah’s “mainstream” fans didn’t notice by now, Mariah does “urban” music. These days, we hardly get a taste of bubblegum pop music from Mariah. It started off with O.D.B. on her remix to “Fantasy,” and ever since then, hip-hop beats and guest appearances by your latest hot rapper have graced her albums. With the exception of “Fantasy (Remix)” featuring O.D.B., “Heartbreaker” featuring Jay-Z and “Breakdown” featuring Bone Thugs-N-harmony, most of Mariah’s hip-hop inspired tracks sounded…forced. If you’ve heard her previous Snoop track, “Crybaby,” “Irresistable Remix” featuring Westside Connection, or “Did I Do That?” featuring Mystikal, you know what I’m talkin about. This time around, Mariah is settling into her R&B sound. Emancipation features tracks produced by Jermaine Dupri and Kanye West. What more could you ask for?
Overall, the album is solid. It has a good mix of love ballads that Mariah is famous for belting out, as well as a few uptempo songs. Personally, the tracks featuring cameo appearances by rap artists are my least favorite of the album. I found myself rolling my eyes and skipping “To The Floor” and “Say Somethin” more times than I would have liked. “Stay The Night,” “We Belong Together” and “Circles” are my highest recommendations. Funny moments: “them chickens is ash and I’m lotion” from “It’s Like That;” from “Shake It Off,” is Mariah the new spokesperson for Calgon spa, bath and body products?
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I haven’t been a Mariah fan since the Butterfly album, and my “fanship” was fading then. HOWEVER, Mariah has come back with an album that I can’t stop playing! Even the not-so-great tracks are good enough to listen to. I am so glad that Mimi has finally been emancipated!!! (My fave tracks: Stay the Night and Your Girl)
I love Mariah..I too got the glitter cd and movie…I don’t care if she flopped I’ll get the damn CD…but, I must say this CD is way better thant the last 2…I love the Shake it off track.
It has been long time coming now, and finally Mariah,now preferring to be called by her alter-ego, Mimi has been ema n cipated.
Her new album is a refreshing mixture of hip-hop, pop and RnB thrown in. I really loved the Butterlfy album and it still remains my favourite but…..just. “We belong together” is Mimi’s most successful single to date and when she wins a ton of Grammys later next year, I will be smiling along with her.