September 21, 200915 yr In what way, Dan? I think all of the tracks are positioned really well, gradually leading to the big climax (so to speak) with "I Want to Know What Love Is". I'd like to add that her vocals are really great on this album. Loving the background whispering (reminiscent of "Daydream" & "Buttefly"). Well as I've been listening to the album whilst reading, I haven't taken into account what songs should go where; but one in particular Languishing suits to be nearer the start I think. It doesn't suit to be the penultimate track imo.
September 21, 200915 yr I'm quite disappointed tbh. Only a couple stood out for me and the rest were hard work to finish :( Maybe it's a grower for me, I'll give it another go tomorrow.
September 22, 200915 yr I love H.A.T.E.U but how could she leave out the "Today I'm gonna get over you, you, you" part it was like the best part.
September 22, 200915 yr I love H.A.T.E.U but how could she leave out the "Today I'm gonna get over you, you, you" part it was like the best part. Agreed. I still love the song, and it's the only track off this album that I would label an MC "classic". It's my clear favourite, although the album as a whole is really strong.
September 22, 200915 yr Its still growing on me and although i do love it, I can see how its going to dissapoint some fans, Obsessed and possibly Standing O's are about the only urban M.C tracks on here it seems more old Mariah. As a new fan I'm not complaining as I only really got into her Touch My Body and love both her slow and up tempo songs.
September 22, 200915 yr Well I only like - Obsessed I Want To Know What Love Is Standing O Up Out My Face Angels Cry H.A.T.E.U. Hope the others grow on me, I just find it all rather bland..
September 22, 200915 yr Hmv is listing the release date as Oct 5th... Did it get pushed back? I was looking forward to getting it next week!!! Or was the UK always the following week? Edited September 22, 200915 yr by Delta*Fan*Mel
September 22, 200915 yr Yeah it got pushed back a week. I still haven't heard this yet. :( I'm holding out to hear it until I get the CD in my hands, so it is a shame it's been pushed back!!
September 23, 200915 yr It's A Wrap ∙ Operatic whistle intro right here. Very old-school. 'Aint no donuts' indeed. No obvious chorus. This is hazy Spring afternoon easy listening. 07.5 ∙ Haha, was that the real line or not in the end?! I'm holding out to hear it until I get the CD in my hands, so it is a shame it's been pushed back!! Same, but with these 'less urban, more dull' reviews I'm wondering whether to give it a listen and perhaps save my money.
September 23, 200915 yr Positive review alert! Is Mariah Carey's 'Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel' a Genius Breakthrough? By Rohin Guha http://www.blackbookmag.com/article/is-mar...akthrough/11100 September 23, 2009 Is Mariah Carey’s ‘Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel’ a Genius Breakthrough? G*ddamn. Pop's leading ladies have taken quite the beating lately. Okay, fine, so I was wielding the cudgel at some point. But it's not like I had a hand in dismantling the greatest girlband of the 21st century. And above all, some pop stars deserved it. But lately, not Mariah Carey, who warmed our hearts on 9/11 when we found it difficult to get out of bed on that very day. So here we are. With digital copies of her new record, Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel having leaked, nay, spilled onto the internet ahead of its worldwide release. The early verdict? Well it's rather nice if you fancy a morphine drip plugged into your ears, what with all of the record's whisper-wailing and computerized blippity-bloops. To be honest, post-rehab Mariah was riding the crest of her creative high with The Emancipation of Mimi and has been slipping since. But some of us are old(-fashioned) and would think that. We're also therefore prone to b***hing about musicians needing melodies, vocals, and well-considered lyrics. Others of us, like Mariah, are post-pop. And Memoirs is Mariah's proudest post-pop debut. It's a debut that doesn't thwart itself with such precious tripwires. In fact everything, from "Obsessed" (of which we are treated to four (!) revolutionary club chart-topping remixes on the album's special edition) to that half-assed Foreigner cover are early indicators of how far she was willing to take her Grammy diss. In ways, Memoirs is for Mariah what Aerial was for Kate Bush: an epic thinkpiece. In one regard, the lyrics all appear uniformly clunky. But upon closer inspection, that is part of this post-pop revolution to which Mariah Carey is Eva Perón (sorry, Madge!) It's as if she adapted the charm of spoken-word honesty and then found a way to make spoken-word listenable. Hence the bulk of this album being highly relatable, too. Further proof: the line "I wanna be all on your lips like gelato," in "More Than Just Friends." Another track, "H.A.T.E.U." pushes post-pop just a little further. You see, the five letters spell out a secret message. One which may or may not be "having a typical emotional upset," although a competing argument contends it's "hold and tenderly embrace u." Ultimately, this is one of those mysteries that time and flack will reveal as this track may be the record's next single. But the most post-pop moment here comes in the serene jam "Up Out of My Face." In it, Mariah belts, "If we were two Lego blocks even the Harvard University graduating class of 2010 couldn't put us back together again." More remarkable here is her commitment to avoid singing outright. Throughout Memoirs, Mariah's voice exists in three vocal extremes: whispers, moans, and yells. She doesn't need to concern herself with all those octaves in between one and eight. Basically, this is an album that, like spoiled apples for compost aficionados, gets better with time. But if you are the sort who needs letter grades or gold stars to determine how great this record is, the most I can offer are three words: Better than Whitney's. Same, but with these 'less urban, more dull' reviews I'm wondering whether to give it a listen and perhaps save my money. I can see why people are not overly fond of this record, because it's not an album full of major, radio friendly hooks. "E=MC2" was full of catchy hooks (even if the singles "Bye Bye" onwards flopped), but "Memoirs" isn't about that. It's about her vocal layering, strong melodies and intimate lyrics. Sure, the lyrics appear juvenille and they are fun, but they're very personal. I'd actually go as far to say this is one of her best efforts. Maybe that's premature, but it's growing on me more each day. "H.A.T.E.U." is my favourite track (of Mariah's) since "We Belong Together". I'm not sure if it's very commercial, but there are definitely some hits on the record ("H.A.T.E.U." & "Up Out My Face" for sure). I don't know, I would give it a listen and make your own judgment on the record. The media hasn't been that kind to Mariah in the past, so take all of the reviews with a pinch of salt.
September 24, 200915 yr I can see why people are not overly fond of this record, because it's not an album full of major, radio friendly hooks. "E=MC2" was full of catchy hooks (even if the singles "Bye Bye" onwards flopped), but "Memoirs" isn't about that. It's about her vocal layering, strong melodies and intimate lyrics. Sure, the lyrics appear juvenille and they are fun, but they're very personal. I'd actually go as far to say this is one of her best efforts. Maybe that's premature, but it's growing on me more each day. "H.A.T.E.U." is my favourite track (of Mariah's) since "We Belong Together". I'm not sure if it's very commercial, but there are definitely some hits on the record ("H.A.T.E.U." & "Up Out My Face" for sure). I don't know, I would give it a listen and make your own judgment on the record. The media hasn't been that kind to Mariah in the past, so take all of the reviews with a pinch of salt. Hmm...I'll probably buy it anyway. I know me, if I download a HQ leak I wont be able to justify buying it when I've already got it in the best quality. I'm just a little underwhelmed by the clips, it sounds like the bits of 90s Mariah that I didn't like so far.
September 24, 200915 yr Hmm...I'll probably buy it anyway. I know me, if I download a HQ leak I wont be able to justify buying it when I've already got it in the best quality. I'm just a little underwhelmed by the clips, it sounds like the bits of 90s Mariah that I didn't like so far. LOL, I'm the same, but not when it comes to MC! If it's to be compared to 90's Mariah, then it will be "Daydream" onwards. I wouldn't say it's "Daydream" or "Butterfly" part II, but there's a lot of background vocals on the record, similar to the two aforementioned albums. Her voice is like an instrument on some of the tracks, which is what I find so endearing.
September 24, 200915 yr I'm disappointed a little. To much The-Dream sound, I don't like The-dream music. Ok album, but not that amazing like last two.
September 25, 200915 yr "Candy Bling" is just amazing. I can't stop listening to it. Anyway, where's Kelly man? I'm itching to know if she's enjoying the album or not, LOL.
September 25, 200915 yr I have to say, I'm a little disappointed. I think a lot of the tracks are quite slow and mellow, which I find abit boring. Most of my favourite MC tracks are the uptempo ones and it's a shame there arn't many of them on this album. I like the lyrics on this album but I wouldn't say this is her best. Maybe I just like her commerically catchy songs more as I much prefer E=MC2 to this. Edited September 25, 200915 yr by Chris.
September 26, 200915 yr Mariah Carey dedicates her new album, “Memoirs of An Imperfect Angel” to Michael Jackson. The album hits the world on September 29th. “Angel” is a little different than most releases. This is the first time I can remember a major magazine — Elle, in this case — sponsoring the liner notes. “Angel” comes with a mini magazine tucked into the CD jacket, produced by Elle and featuring ads for Carey’s new fragrance and movie (”Precious”) as well as Mariah’s lists of favorite things and interviews with her and husband Nick Cannon. It’s a first, but what else do you expect from Mariah Carey? Island Def Jam is not taking any chances with “Angel,” by the way. They’re starting with the release of Mariah covering Foreigner’s “I Want to Know What Love Is,” followed by a slew of potential singles — “Angels Cry,” “Ribbon,” and at least two others. So get ready for a Mariah onslaught — post-the Whitney Houston avalanche. And just before an Alicia Keys tsunami. It’s the autumn of the divas! Has anyone else heard Ribbon and Angels Cry confirmed?
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