Mariah Carey – E=MC2 (2008)

E=MC2 by Mariah Carey

See Mariah Carey’s Biography

About the Album
“Migrate,” the first tune on Mariah Carey’s latest CD, E=MC2, starts off with the dynamic diva’s unique pyrotechnic technique. It also features T-Pain and an emphatic groove. Mariah has a startling and dramatic instrument, and part of her considerable charm is her startling tonal range. The record isn’t all about it, but she definitely displays it at the outset, and it’s a reminder of what she has that’s unique. Like Yma Sumac of old, Mariah Carey can do some stuff that nobody else can. The big news on this record is that that’s not what it’s about. E (emancipation)=M (Mariah) C (Carey) 2 is the coloratura/diva’s follow-up to 2005′s Emancipation Of Mimi. This is all purportedly a reaction to her break-up with music bigwig Tony Mottola. Regardless, E=MC2 is a little uneven and pop heavy, but has cleaner lines than the earlier Mariah stuff. The hit, “Touch My Body” is remarkably sing-song and childlike. The production is a bit plastic, but Ms. Carey can certainly sing the yellow pages and sound invested and interesting.

The starkly biographical “Side Effects” is probably the most honest and powerful of the cuts. It’s got a whole “I Will Survive” thing goin’ on that’s moving. Carey does best when she sings about personal experience with a more personal sound. She sounds bitter, but fired-up. Obviously there are still a few raw nerves here. The patter is razor edged, and Young Jeezy makes a cameo contribution. A nice cathartic stroke always plays well. This should have been the second single if the A&R guys were still talking to promotion. “Bye, Bye,” the actual number two single is too predictable and saccharine. This is all pretty predictable pop, well executed and well tested. Mariah Carey is, in many ways, returning to the formula that made her a star in the first place: easy groves, graceful melodies and catchy groves. Considering that this record features her 18th number one hit, it makes pretty good sense.

The strongest and most characteristic vocal performance of the “new” Mariah comes on “Thanx 4 Nothin’.” There’s a nice guitar line and that cool vocal pick-up thing Carey does so well. She’s smooth as silk when she sings, “somebody say” in a groovy patter off the fourth beat of the groove. Often stuck in the Whitney Houston style freeze, Mariah does even better when she gets a little retro on the Swizz Beatz groove of “O.O.C. (Out Of Control).” Instead of trying to do that Usher phrasing, this is more Diana Ross via Michael Jackson. The ending breakdown is very danceable, and infectiously catchy.

If you’re taking it in order, E=MC2 saves the best for last. While “I Wish You Well” probably won’t top the pop charts, the lean, piano only accompaniment and gospel tinged vocal shows us what the “next” Mariah Carey might be. Her effortless vocal technique and obvious dexterity is on display when there’s no distraction. She sings. She wails. She keeps it real. It’s the best thing on the record.

 

I’ll Be Lovin’ U Long Time

 

E=MC2 album tracklists are:

Migrate [Feat. T-Pain]

Touch My Body

Cruise Control [Feat. Damian Marley]

I Stay In Love

Side Effects [Feat. Young Jeezy]

I’m That Chick

Love Story

I’ll Be Lovin’ U Long Time

Last Kiss

Thanx 4 Nothin’

O.O.C

For The Record

Bye Bye

I Wish You Well

Heat

4real4real [Feat. Da Brat]

 

Buy the CD album E=MC2

Free Mp3 Downloads E=MC2

 

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 9th, 2008 at 3:43 am and is filed under Pop, R&B, soul. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.