In terms of a modern Mariah Carey album I don't really think it could be much worse than E=MC2, not because that wasn't a good album but just because it was full of jams trying to repeat WBT and it was all half-baked. It felt like her heart wasn't in it the way it's in this album. I can't be sure obviously but the fact that Obsessed is the best thing she's done since TEOM is a good start, and the reviews mention Standing O being of a similar vibe so it shouldn't stick out, in the way that Migrate didn't because Side Effects was on there too.

In terms of a modern Mariah Carey album I don't really think it could be much worse than E=MC2, not because that wasn't a good album but just because it was full of jams trying to repeat WBT and it was all half-baked. It felt like her heart wasn't in it the way it's in this album. I can't be sure obviously but the fact that Obsessed is the best thing she's done since TEOM is a good start, and the reviews mention Standing O being of a similar vibe so it shouldn't stick out, in the way that Migrate didn't because Side Effects was on there too.

True, but this album seems to be trying to repeat her 90s sound, from the whipsery vocals to cover versions. I'll be really disappointed she releases "I Want To Know What Love Is" whether it's brilliant or not. It'll be a big step backwards for her, she's a good writer, she doesn't need to go back to releasing songs like "Without You", "Endless Love, "Against All Odds", "I'll Be There" etc. It's good that she seems more into it this time though, it was a disaster last time.

 

Oh yes, I'd forgot "Standing O" had the 'oh oh' parts, I just read the review that said it was intimate and thought it sounded boring.

WTF is going on with Mariah, apparently she's cancelled appearing on the Today Show, and her names no longer on the list of performers at the VMA's...bit worrying.

Mariah Carey is turning back the page on her Memoirs. Mimi’s new album has been pushed back again.

 

Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel will now arrive two weeks later on September 29, Rap-Up.com can confirm. This is the second delay for Mariah’s 12th studio album. Memoirs was originally scheduled for an August 25 release before being moved to September 15. In addition, the three CD collector’s set has been postponed.

 

The “Obsessed” singer has pulled out of a string of appearances surrounding the album’s release, including “VH1 Storytellers,” the “Today” show concert series, 2009 MTV Video Music Awards, and her Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony.

 

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So all promo cancelled and will most likely be re-scheduled. I can't say I'm surprised, she's not even delivered the finished album for mastering.

September is the 9th month of the year, not the 10th

 

September is the 9th month of the year, not the 10th

What?! :blink: :lol:

I'm pissed, man. I'm dying to hear new material, but I guess this gives her time to make amendments (perhaps get rid of the "whisper" that has been creating so much negativity?). I'll still anticipate this, but "Obsessed" had it's best update in a week today on Pop and Rhythmic, so at least it'll give some extra time for "O" to peak.

I don't think it's so much about amendments as actually making sure the songs are finished! We know that as of last week she'd only finished up six songs. There's no way she could've had the album on shelves in four weeks time without it having been submitted by now. Even with the pushback I imagine it'll be touch and go but I do think she'll make it. She'll have to!

 

To be honest I think this is just increasing my anticipation even more. Perhaps if within two weeks or so Obsessed hasn't made the top 10 they'll send a second single to radio...

That's probably why she cancelled the performances. It is quite annoying though, since the first release date we thought was more than a month before the date we're getting it now! But, as Jark said, she only had six songs as of last week.

Cancelling the MTV VMA performance is a very wrong move I think. Even if the album was to be released weeks later, it's always great exposure for the single and the artist. It's not like there's a VMA show every month ...

Booooo I want the album now, but seriously what is she going to do in the UK Obsessed cant keep being pushed back, its been on music channels for a while now and cant be for over another month and a half until release.

I imagine they'll just leave it. The current date is three weeks before the new album date which would be fine, just about...

 

Also a few sources (none official) are claiming that Candy Bling may be the next single at this point...

This news annoys me to no end.

At least she won't be in competition with Jay Z (not that she was ever going to be competition for him :(). But still, with each delay I expect MORE. So I think the album will fail to deliver the high expectations I have now :(

She's one of the few artists who actually tries to please her fans, so I think she'll re-record some of the songs as the thought of another album full of "whispers" has garnered a poor reaction. She's always delaying albums, so it's not exactly shocking, but it's just aggrivating as she's one of the few artists I really anticipate.

MariahDaily posted this review from Australia's Rhyme & Reason magazine:

 

Rhyme & Reason, Australia's largest and most frequently issued Urban magazine, was this afternoon treated to an exclusive preview of Mariah Carey's 12th studio album, Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel. A single CD containing six songs from the album was flown in to Sydney from Island Def Jam's New York offices, accompanied by an IDJ representative. Taking every precaution to avoid leaks of Mariah's new material, phones and recording devices were cloaked before the listening session, with the lone CD set to return to New York along with the IDJ representative.

 

The release of Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel has been delayed until September 29th as Mariah continues to write and record material alongside a collaborator who is understood to be a writer she worked with in the earlier part of her career. Along with the six cuts previewed by Rhyme & Reason, an additional five or six songs are expected to round out the album.

 

Mariah has entrusted much of the album's production duties to Tricky Stewart and The-Dream, while long-time friend and collaborator Jermaine Dupri also makes a return for Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel, along with hit-maker Carlos "Los DaMystro" McKinney [usher, R. Kelly, Whitney Houston]. Mariah co-wrote all of the songs previewed, save for "I Want To Know What Love Is" - the remake of Foreigner's chart-topping 1985 single. "I Want To Know What Love Is" is expected to be the album's next single. While we don't want to give too much away, below is Rhyme & Reason Magazine's brief breakdown of the six songs previewed from Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel:

 

'Candy Bling' [Written by Mariah, Carlos McKinney and Terius Nash ∙∙ Produced by Los DaMystro and The-Dream]

A laidback, mid-tempo track set to finger-snaps. At one point, Mariah makes mention of bringing "ODB back".

 

'Obsessed' [Written and produced by Mariah, Tricky Stewart and The-Dream]

You should all be familiar with this one...

 

'H.A.T.E. U.' [Written and produced by Mariah, Tricky Stewart and The-Dream]

A slower-tempo song which has Mariah wanting to square off with a trifling partner; "I can't wait to face you / I can't wait to hate you".

 

'Standing O' [Written and produced by Mariah, Tricky Stewart and The-Dream]

The "O", of course, stands for "Ovation". This is an unmistakable Dream concoction laid over mid-tempo staccato piano chords and plush synths. The chorus includes Mariah mimicking Dream's signature "oh, oh" vocal punctuations.

 

'Impossible' [Written and produced by Mariah, Tricky Stewart and The-Dream]

A woozy, somewhat minimalist slow jam.

 

'I Want To Know What Love Is' [Written by Mike Jones ∙∙ Produced by Mariah, Tricky Stewart and Big Jim Wright]

Staying true to the original, this piano-lead remake is less an overhaul of the classic 80's hit than it is a modest but impressive update.

 

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Nice to have the full credits and it's interesting to read that a cover will be the second single (though it all change, of course).

Well it might be a good reason to release that as the second single, even if it is a cover. It's been getting amazing reviews. ^_^

Another review from the Australian listening party:

 

1 Candy Bling. By far my favourite. It took me back to the days of Underneath the Stars. Except that this time it is obviously UTS on her terms. So we have more airy notes and no belting - a theme throughout Memoirs. Everyone was loving this track. A lot of heads were nodding round the room.

 

2 Obsessed. 'Nuff said. Like the idea that it was just something festive for summer. No matter what I thought this was hot. Really think it's edgy ALTHOUGH if you gave it to Cassie or whoever else it would sound normal. Only because it's Mariah does it sound edgy.

 

3 H.A.T.E. U. I feel JD might have wanted to progress or whatever so she picks up with the other producer out there who can give her some mid-tempo summer jamz - The Dream. Didn't like the demo, wasn't a fan of this.

 

4 Standing O. Was good. I think it was at this point that I realised something. No matter how hard she tries, like Kylie, she will never be cool. OK, Butterfly era was kinda cool, but really that was it. Let it go. Stop chasing rainbows! But back to the track. I liked this one, it was nice but again very mid-tempo. But very soulful which is something the head of Island Records said about the record.

 

5 Impossible. About Nick. Slow jam. Blah.

 

6 I Want To Know What Love Is. I liked it and it got a great reception. However there is a really uncomfortable key change mid way where it suddenly goes ape$h!t and you think the CD is skipping. She should have drawn the single out with another bridge or extra chorus to allow the run up to seem more natural. I guess it's hard when the song is someone else's. But you know she's had big success with rock ballads so there is definitely a formula for her.

Are we glossing over the fact that this has yet AGAIN been pushed back 2 weeks? End of September now. First it was my anniversary present, then my birthday present and now it's just my plain old end of September present. GAH! This isn't looking good, but at least she's avoiding Jay-Z now, maybe a shot at #1 afterall? Gutted she ditched the VMA's though, as somebody else rightfully said, it wouldn't have coincided with the album but come on it's the VMA's! It's not as if it happens every other week, she needed the promotion if nothing more than to boost Obsessed. :(

Glossing over? It was reported a few posts up! YO TRIPPIN' KELZ.

Yeah, she could've still performed at the VMA's, but who knows. I'm just hoping this is the final push-back and based on the reviews (even the negative articles), I know I'll love the album.

I would love for The-Dream to give Mariah an Electrik Red-type song, does anyone else agree? He & Tricky produced their entire debut album, and although they flopped, the production was just so crisp, exciting and "out there". The lyrics were trashy, but there are some killer tracks on their record. Seriously. BUT, I don't think the label or MC will want to take that much of a risk, but man, I would love to hear MC sing along to "P is for Power" or "Kill Bill"...