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Mariah10Carey88

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my panties itch, what do i do? asking for a friend

#21 [url]

Mar 18 10 3:13 PM

rainbow1199 wrote:
This is the one Mariah CD that could disappear from her catalog and I wouldn't bat an eyelash. It's not even that it's that terrible; it's just utterly generic, bland, and faceless. It could have been recorded by Ciara. 'Charmbracelet' is an inferior album, but at least it has that Mariah Carey nature to it. The album has a 'fun' vibe that I did appreciate briefly, but the songs grow old fast and the album lacks cohesion. 
totally agree! i feel like anyone could've made that album. 

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mcfan

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#22 [url]

Mar 18 10 3:13 PM

iMariah wrote:
I'm surprised that nobody is mentioned Touch My Body among their favorites! It's definitely one of the highlights of this album for me, simple because it's a bit different for Mariah, yet she makes it her own, and it's fun and fresh!
It's definitely one of my favorites and it still sounds fresh 2 years after. Sometimes I feel like it's the first time I listen to it, like it just leaked or something..

  

 

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rainbow1199

Posts: 12,520 Often imitated, never duplicated.

#23 [url]

Mar 18 10 3:13 PM

BeyondIdolization wrote:
rainbow1199 wrote:
This is the one Mariah CD that could disappear from her catalog and I wouldn't bat an eyelash. It's not even that it's that terrible; it's just utterly generic, bland, and faceless. It could have been recorded by Ciara. 'Charmbracelet' is an inferior album, but at least it has that Mariah Carey nature to it. The album has a 'fun' vibe that I did appreciate briefly, but the songs grow old fast and the album lacks cohesion. There's no song that touches my heart ('IWKW' is too bible-thumping, and the rest of the ballads just suck) or makes me want to dance ('Migrate' and 'ITC' are ruined by their slow pace, and in the former's case, a lack of a strong hook).

Contrary to popular belief, I don't think the album ever could have been that big- there are no major crossover hits on it a la 'WBT'. I do think they could have done a better job by releasing singles like 'IBLULT' and 'Migrate' after 'TMB' instead of 'Bye Bye', but that probably would have just given Mariah a couple digital hits.


I think that's a bit harsh/exaggerated. Every album has songs that are worthy, and songs like IBLULT or T4N definitely have that Mariah Carey vibe.
I don't think either of those songs are all that Mariah, and they're probably my favorites on the album.  Look, I'm not saying it's a horrible record, there's obviously songs on it I enjoy having in my collection.  I'm just saying, if for some reason there was one Mariah album that had to disappear, I don't think the absence of this one would be felt very much. 

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Brazilian X Man

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#24 [url]

Mar 18 10 3:19 PM

mcfan wrote:
iMariah wrote:
I'm surprised that nobody is mentioned Touch My Body among their favorites! It's definitely one of the highlights of this album for me, simple because it's a bit different for Mariah, yet she makes it her own, and it's fun and fresh!
It's definitely one of my favorites and it still sounds fresh 2 years after. Sometimes I feel like it's the first time I listen to it, like it just leaked or something..

  
Touch My Body is my ANTHEM! 

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BeyondIdolization

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#25 [url]

Mar 18 10 3:25 PM

rainbow1199 wrote:
BeyondIdolization wrote:
rainbow1199 wrote:
This is the one Mariah CD that could disappear from her catalog and I wouldn't bat an eyelash. It's not even that it's that terrible; it's just utterly generic, bland, and faceless. It could have been recorded by Ciara. 'Charmbracelet' is an inferior album, but at least it has that Mariah Carey nature to it. The album has a 'fun' vibe that I did appreciate briefly, but the songs grow old fast and the album lacks cohesion. There's no song that touches my heart ('IWKW' is too bible-thumping, and the rest of the ballads just suck) or makes me want to dance ('Migrate' and 'ITC' are ruined by their slow pace, and in the former's case, a lack of a strong hook).

Contrary to popular belief, I don't think the album ever could have been that big- there are no major crossover hits on it a la 'WBT'. I do think they could have done a better job by releasing singles like 'IBLULT' and 'Migrate' after 'TMB' instead of 'Bye Bye', but that probably would have just given Mariah a couple digital hits.


I think that's a bit harsh/exaggerated. Every album has songs that are worthy, and songs like IBLULT or T4N definitely have that Mariah Carey vibe.
I don't think either of those songs are all that Mariah, and they're probably my favorites on the album.  Look, I'm not saying it's a horrible record, there's obviously songs on it I enjoy having in my collection.  I'm just saying, if for some reason there was one Mariah album that had to disappear, I don't think the absence of this one would be felt very much. 



Fair enough, and I do agree that if I had to 'eliminate' one Mariah album, this would be the one (though it would be hard to never hear IWYW again!).

 

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#26 [url]

Mar 18 10 3:51 PM

BeyondIdolization wrote:
Sweet Intensity wrote:
Thanks For Nothin' (I don't really understand why everyone is so GaGa over this song. It's aiight. The screechy vocals at the end are horrid, and that is what ruins it for me, not to mention JD's craptastic call-out in the beginning.

I'm surprised you don't like it, it seems right up your alley. I think T4N is one of her best ballads from this century, it reminds me of Breakdown in its sincere melancholy and vocal stylings ("But I didn't wanna face the truth, that I was only being used", "Somebody say you know what I'm going through, you been left with nothin' too"). I think that her emotion is palpable on this track, unlike the robotic nature of songs like ISIL and Last Kiss. I also like the sort of mid-90s TLCesque sound of the production.

I think there are some clever lyrical moments too, such as

"Too much you can't count on one hand
Singing 3,4,5,6
7 days a week you're drowning in tears
He was so insincere
Now you're layin' up in bed
Every night singing
Hey boy, thanks for nothin'"
  
I do love the lyrics, and the production is actually great (seeing as the rest of the JD productions post-TEOM sound like variations on WBT). Her voice is really sincere and great...for the most part. Honestly though, I can't listen to the beginning "ya'll know what this is..." crap. I know it may seem petty and ridiculous, but I absolutely HATE those call-outs, on any song from any artist. It just ruins most songs for me. And her voice at the end is pitched horribly, like the end of I Only Wanted (another song I think is lyrically one her best ever) it's so high-pitched and screechy that I have to end it right after that long "gaaaaaaaaaaaame" note at 2:52. actually, i have to end the song during that note because that next "thanks for nothing" gives me an intense migraine with every listen.

Like I Only Wanted and a bunch of other CB songs, I think it would be among my top favorites ever if the vocals were different.

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#27 [url]

Mar 18 10 3:55 PM

BeyondIdolization wrote:
If I had to 'eliminate' one Mariah album, this would be the one (though it would be hard to never hear IWYW again!).

I could NEVER eliminate E. As much as I go back and forth on it, I do think its unique enough to deserve a spot on the shelf with the rest.

For me, you could eliminate Music Box before E. Dreamlover and Music Box are the only songs I truly LOVE from that album. Hero is great because its one of her signature songs, but aside from those three I could drop the album and never bat an eyelash. The other best songs from that era aren't even on the album (Everything Fades Away, Do You Think of Me?, Anytime You Need a Friends C&C remix, Never Forget You JD remix).

E has far more songs that I don't think I give away.

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rainbow1199

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#28 [url]

Mar 18 10 4:02 PM


BeyondIdolization wrote:
rainbow1199 wrote:
BeyondIdolization wrote:
rainbow1199 wrote:



Fair enough, and I do agree that if I had to 'eliminate' one Mariah album, this would be the one (though it would be hard to never hear IWYW again!).
'IWYW' is definitely the most poignant song on the album, but the Bible nonsense keeps me from truly loving it the way I do other Mariah ballads.  Still love the bridge though. 

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rainbow1199

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#29 [url]

Mar 18 10 4:03 PM

Sweet Intensity wrote:
BeyondIdolization wrote:
If I had to 'eliminate' one Mariah album, this would be the one (though it would be hard to never hear IWYW again!).

I could NEVER eliminate E. As much as I go back and forth on it, I do think its unique enough to deserve a spot on the shelf with the rest.

For me, you could eliminate Music Box before E. Dreamlover and Music Box are the only songs I truly LOVE from that album. Hero is great because its one of her signature songs, but aside from those three I could drop the album and never bat an eyelash. The other best songs from that era aren't even on the album (Everything Fades Away, Do You Think of Me?, Anytime You Need a Friends C&C remix, Never Forget You JD remix).

E has far more songs that I don't think I give away.
When I speak of 'eliminating' albums, I don't mean because of subjective quality reasons really.  For better or worse, 'Music Box' established Mariah's presence as the diva MOR balladeer of the 90's.  It gave her her most iconic hit with 'Hero'.  It's a far more significant album than 'E'. 

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robjv1

Posts: 10,743 True in love and wisdom, well off and witty, using god's sleeve to wipe the hell off the city.

#30 [url]

Mar 18 10 4:06 PM

rainbow1199 wrote:
'IWYW' is definitely the most poignant song on the album, but the Bible nonsense keeps me from truly loving it the way I do other Mariah ballads.  Still love the bridge though. 

Agreed, it does get in the way of the song a bit at times.  It's really the only song on the whole album that jumps off the surface with it's vocals too -- there are a few parts that get me every time.  Otherwise though, it's very reminscient of Charmbracelet in terms of it's murky production style and pacing, it just puts me to sleep.


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BeyondIdolization

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#31 [url]

Mar 18 10 4:10 PM

Sweet Intensity wrote:
BeyondIdolization wrote:
If I had to 'eliminate' one Mariah album, this would be the one (though it would be hard to never hear IWYW again!).

I could NEVER eliminate E. As much as I go back and forth on it, I do think its unique enough to deserve a spot on the shelf with the rest.

For me, you could eliminate Music Box before E. Dreamlover and Music Box are the only songs I truly LOVE from that album. Hero is great because its one of her signature songs, but aside from those three I could drop the album and never bat an eyelash. The other best songs from that era aren't even on the album (Everything Fades Away, Do You Think of Me?, Anytime You Need a Friends C&C remix, Never Forget You JD remix).

E has far more songs that I don't think I give away.



I actually thought about Music Box before I posted that because I NEVER listen to that album, but Dreamlover and AYNAF are such classics in her catalog for me, that I could never live without them.

 

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BeyondIdolization

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#32 [url]

Mar 18 10 4:16 PM

rainbow1199 wrote:

BeyondIdolization wrote:
rainbow1199 wrote:
BeyondIdolization wrote:
rainbow1199 wrote:



Fair enough, and I do agree that if I had to 'eliminate' one Mariah album, this would be the one (though it would be hard to never hear IWYW again!).
'IWYW' is definitely the most poignant song on the album, but the Bible nonsense keeps me from truly loving it the way I do other Mariah ballads.  Still love the bridge though. 




I think it would've been better without the Bible quoting, but I still love it for the amazing lyrics, and most importantly her INCREDIBLE vocal on the "Surely God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afiraid, The Lord, the Lord, is my salvation, I will trust in Hiiiiim, *high note* yeeees I know that I know that I know that I know"... That part is easily one of her most soulful, powerful vocals to date.

 

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robjv1

Posts: 10,743 True in love and wisdom, well off and witty, using god's sleeve to wipe the hell off the city.

#33 [url]

Mar 18 10 4:20 PM

For me, you could eliminate Music Box before E. Dreamlover and Music Box are the only songs I truly LOVE from that album. Hero is great because its one of her signature songs, but aside from those three I could drop the album and never bat an eyelash. The other best songs from that era aren't even on the album (Everything Fades Away, Do You Think of Me?, Anytime You Need a Friends C&C remix, Never Forget You JD remix).
This surprises me.  I agree that Everything Fades Away is top notch material and is sorely missing from the album, but I always felt "Do You Think of Me" as just being pretty good -- it's not on the same level as "Everything Fades Away" or "Slipping Away."  The JD Remix of Never Forget You is about as notable to me as the Underneath the Stars - Drifting Remix -- overhyped because of it's relative rarity or lack of exposure, but minor in the whole scheme of things.

Music Box gets lambasted for being one of her most commercial albums (it is) but it has one thing E=MC^2 doesn't have going for it and that is great vocals.  Neither CD is going to win an award for lyrical brilliance however.  I often wonder if people dislike it more because they see it as a representation of Tommy Mottola's vision of Mariah Carey than because of the material.  It is similar to Emotions in that it has a lot of schmaltz (Hero, Just To Hold You Once Again, All I've Ever Wanted, Without You) but it has a pretty good hit-miss quotient by my ears -- I could do without Hero, but I love Dreamlover, Anytime You Need A Friend, Music Box, Now That I Know, Without You, and Never Forget You.  All I've Ever Wanted is a pretty amazing vocal performance if nothing else.  Plus there was so much great stuff coming out of this era that I could never do without -- The C&C mix as you mentioned, the great Dreamlover Remix.  There was a lot of great, creative output coming from her at this time.  Anyhow, now that I've turned this from a E=MC^2 thread, to a Music Box thread, to a Music Box Era thread, I'll shut up now






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mcfan

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#Beautiful

#34 [url]

Mar 18 10 4:24 PM

BeyondIdolization wrote:
I think it would've been better without the Bible quoting, but I still love it for the amazing lyrics, and most importantly her INCREDIBLE vocal on the "Surely God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afiraid, The Lord, the Lord, is my salvation, I will trust in Hiiiiim, *high note* yeeees I know that I know that I know that I know"... That part is easily one of her most soulful, powerful vocals to date.
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BeyondIdolization

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#35 [url]

Mar 18 10 4:30 PM

robjv1 wrote:
For me, you could eliminate Music Box before E. Dreamlover and Music Box are the only songs I truly LOVE from that album. Hero is great because its one of her signature songs, but aside from those three I could drop the album and never bat an eyelash. The other best songs from that era aren't even on the album (Everything Fades Away, Do You Think of Me?, Anytime You Need a Friends C&C remix, Never Forget You JD remix).

This surprises me.  I agree that Everything Fades Away is top notch material and is sorely missing from the album, but I always felt "Do You Think of Me" as just being pretty good -- it's not on the same level as "Everything Fades Away" or "Slipping Away."  The JD Remix of Never Forget You is about as notable to me as the Underneath the Stars - Drifting Remix -- overhyped because of it's relative rarity or lack of exposure, but minor in the whole scheme of things.

Music Box gets lambasted for being one of her most commercial albums (it is) but it has one thing E=MC^2 doesn't have going for it and that is great vocals.  Neither CD is going to win an award for lyrical brilliance however.  I often wonder if people dislike it more because they see it as a representation of Tommy Mottola's vision of Mariah Carey than because of the material.  It is similar to Emotions in that it has a lot of schmaltz (Hero, Just To Hold You Once Again, All I've Ever Wanted, Without You) but it has a pretty good hit-miss quotient by my ears -- I could do without Hero, but I love Dreamlover, Anytime You Need A Friend, Music Box, Now That I Know, Without You, and Never Forget You.  All I've Ever Wanted is a pretty amazing vocal performance if nothing else.  Plus there was so much great stuff coming out of this era that I could never do without -- The C&C mix as you mentioned, the great Dreamlover Remix.  There was a lot of great, creative output coming from her at this time.  Anyhow, now that I've turned this from a E=MC^2 thread, to a Music Box thread, to a Music Box Era thread, I'll shut up now








I agree, however, I do have to add that imo the NFY Remix is just a slightly better version of an awful song.

I think that Music Box actually has a lot more filler than E=MC2. You have a few great songs, but pretty much the majority is filler or just plain awful songs (Never Forget You, All I Ever Wanted, I've Been Thinking About You, Just to Hold You Once Again, Now That I Know). It's her one album that reminds me of a Celine Dion album in how it's mainly poor songwriting paired with going-through-the-motions singing, with no real thought put into the songs.

 

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robjv1

Posts: 10,743 True in love and wisdom, well off and witty, using god's sleeve to wipe the hell off the city.

#36 [url]

Mar 18 10 4:36 PM

Well I admit, I am probably a bit biased by the fact that I was like 12 when it came out and was of course instantly and deeply in love with it back in 1993 lol. Having said that, I don't think the songs would have been good without Mariah vocals, as the songwriting is not super strong. However, I don't think Celine could have recorded it and made it as gratifying to me, there is just something so appealing about her vocal technique around this time.

I'll have to agree to disagree with you about Never Forget You though, I still love that song, but I am a sucker for Babyface too.


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NhWxMaN

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#37 [url]

Mar 18 10 5:00 PM

I think E=MC2 is alright. It has some truly great tracks (ex: IBLYLT, FTR) mixed in with some horrible songs (ex: OOC, LK). I have some issues with the album, which include...

A) too commercial (which = being bland, generic)
B) having lackluster production and songwriting
C) the vocals were layered way too much.

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BeyondIdolization

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#38 [url]

Mar 18 10 5:04 PM

^ I think the vocal production was E's biggest fault, as you say, pretty much every song had the same vocal; several layers and ending with her belting on top of the main vocal. Had she mixed it up more vocally and done more complex arrangements, the album would've come across as more diverse.

 

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WiseGuyC

Posts: 3,980 "You love me more than you love sunny summer days."

#40 [url]

Mar 18 10 7:08 PM

Can't nobody, can't nobody tell me NOTHIN' cos "Cruise Control" is still my MF'in jam!

The 2nd verse is ri-dic-u-lous (in a good way)!

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