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Track Listings
| 1. Betcha Gon' Know (the prologue) | |||
| 2. Obsessed | |||
| 3. H.A.T.E.U. | |||
| 4. Candy Bling | |||
| 5. Ribbon | |||
| 6. Inseparable | |||
| 7. Standing O | |||
| 8. It's A Wrap | |||
| 9. Up Out My Face | |||
| 10. Up Out My Face (the reprise) | |||
| 11. More Than Just Friends | |||
| 12. The Impossible | |||
| 13. The Impossible (the reprise) | |||
| 14. Angel (the prelude) | |||
| 15. Angels Cry | |||
| 16. Languishing (the interlude) | |||
| 17. I Want To Know What Love Is | |||
| 18. Obsessed | |||
| 19. Obsessed | |||
| 20. Obsessed | |||
See all 21 tracks on this disc
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Product Description
Review
Mariah Carey’s enduring success – the lead single from this twelfth studio album, the Eminem-baiting Obsessed, was the singer’s fortieth hit on the Billboard Hot 100 – may have something to do with how she seems to get younger with each release. Though nearing 40, the New Yorker appears fresher of face and curvier of frame with each sleeve, and Memoirs… features the singer flaunting a degree of flesh not seen since studio album number seven, 1999’s Rainbow.
Without meaning to set off on the wrong foot – looks first, music second – the imagery associated with Carey is of vital importance in her marketing. Arguably without a great album to her name since 1997’s Butterfly, on which the RnB star fully realised her hip hop ambitions through collaborations with Puff Daddy, Missy Elliott and Q-Tip, focus has increasingly been placed on her private life – hence the did-they-or-didn’t-they-and-does-anyone-care nonsense over her apparent knee-trembler with Marshall Mathers III in the run-up to this release – and her private parts, with Memoirs… flaunting its box-ticking methodology: girls buy it for the syrupy ballads and middle-finger rebuttals of a partner’s too-little-too-late affections, and guys pick it up for, well, other reasons.
That’s a terrible generalisation, but then again these are terribly middle-of-the-road songs that need the most obvious colour to liven proceedings up. They leap from stereo speakers like salmon on their nth trip back up river, knowing perfectly well what they’re doing, where they’re going and how to get there, doing nothing to disguise the fact that they’ve done it all before. Memoirs… plays out like an auto-pilot effort, but coming only a year after Carey’s last album, the fairly well received E=MC², perhaps the listener shouldn’t be surprised by the dearth of invention on show, and the filler feel of so many of these tracks. But then again: if there’s no album ready, don’t release an album.
Lyrically it’s confused, our protagonist alternating between spurned lover with attitude and a big-eyed I’d-do-anything-for-you type; the production team of The-Dream and Tricky Stewart offer no arrangements even nearing memorable; and the record’s myriad interlude-style interjections only serve to prolong what’s already an over-long non-event release. Her voice is great, but we’ve known that since day one. The most interesting aspect of the whole album is, sadly, the cover: more thought has probably gone into that than any of these pastiches of past achievements. --Mike Diver
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Firstly, vocally Mariah is definitely on form this time out... I don't care what some people say... Mariah is singing the songs this time out, NOT whispering them like she did around Glitter/ Charmbracelet... sure in some songs, she starts out soft but she builds to a strong finish every time and is not holding back at all.. you don't sense a weakness in her voice that you did around Glitter/ Charmbracelet or that she is ever holding back... she still has it, she just knows not to oversing from beginning to end every time because then her vocal strength loses impact/ effect. Vocally, Mariah delivers as good as she did on 2005's mimi.
Musically, this album definitely is very cohesive and you can sense a tight, fully rounded collection of songs... It is certainly reminiscent of 1997's "Butterfly" in this regard.... I think it was a good idea that she stuck with The Dream and Tricky only for this album.... The songs definitely flow and nothing sticks out like a sore thumb.. sometimes, Mariah's leanings towards hip hop tracks really jars an albums flow for me anyway... this album is very much a soothing, smooth rnb album about losing loving and finding it again.
It really doesn't venture into hip-hop much which I am thrilled about... since rainbow in 1999, every Mariah album has featured lots of collaborations with rappers... and often, these rappers over ran her tracks... this was something I always thought was a flaw with her albums...I'm not a rap fan but don't mind if a rapper raps a little in the middle of a song as a guest, but they do get tedious talking about their "cash, cars blah blah" and really I have found them to detract from Mariah's songs generally. So, gladly there are no collaborations this time out... Mariah is really given her fans what they really want, pure uninterrupted Mariah.. This was a brave move for Mariah, I know she had Gucci mane on the remix to obsessed but it's great for once to listen to a Mariah album without any other artist/ rapper dominating her song with adlibs all over it from start to finish.
My favourite tracks so far:
I want to know what love is: I have been dying to get my mits on this song.... It is a great choice for second single.. its so soothing at the start yet so powerful by the time it ends with the gospel choir.
My one complaint is that it seems a little short... this version is perfect for radio but I had hoped that the album version would be a little more epic, the end seems rushed and it seems to fade out very early after the choir joins to back Mariah.
Still, Mariah knows that to get radio airplay, it needs to be short and snappy... this is one of Mariah's best covers I believe. Her best since Without You for me.
Betcha goin' know: a solid start to the album, you get the sense straight away that this album is going to be intimate as Mariah sings about getting her own back on a cheating lover. Mariah doesn't hold back here, the tune is carried by a strong piano riff and heavy beats.
Obsessed: I loved this track all summer, it's so catchy, her best up-tempo since mimi's Get Your Number. Although the concept of the idea I didn't approve of originally, I wish Mariah wouldn't even engage in anything eminem has to say or do, she is far too classy to even be responding to his garbage.. but the song is just so infectious and catchy... I don't understand how this didn't enjoy more success in Europe..
HATEU:
This is another really catchy track, very strong beat propels this song on. I could see this as a strong single choice.
Candy Bling:/ The Impossible
Candy Bling is a really smooth song, very reminiscent of "the Fourth of July" from Butterfly, Mariah sings about how things were back in the day.. it feels very nostalgic... it's just such a dreamy song... very smooth. The Impossible is similar in that nostalgia feel, very like that rnb vibe from butterfly.
Ribbon:
I wasn't too sure at first about the distorted voice at the start but once this gets going, it's another fine up-tempo track. I love the strength of the beats The Dream and Tricky have given Mariah... these songs all sound so strong and catchy.
It's a wrap:
I love the start to this... Mariah's vocal acrobatics are classic Mariah...
A very old school rnb track. Mariah again can't be accused of whispering. This song sees her singing and not holding back.
Up Out My Face:
Another piano led track, a catchy uptempo/ midtempo track, again you can feel old style rnb not modern hip hop.
The reprise is a really catchy recall of the songs chorus, I love the drums and trumpet used... its like a marching band..
Mariah does deserve a success with this album, she hasn't just rehashed Mimi again like many felt she did with E=MC2. Those two albums were great fun but they were very mixed in terms of song type and this album is much more unified in sound and doesn't try too hard to pander to what is hip or fresh at the minute like those two albums before did I feel. This time, Mariah's true fans really are treated to what they wanted... Mariah performing by herself, Mariah using her voice to it's full potential/ strength and not holding back (not always belting the songs out but saving it for appropriate moments in songs), and lots of Mariah ballads and dreamy rnb that will evoke nostalgia for Butterfly fans that feel Mariah lost herself a little after butterfly in a sea of hip hop. Im sure she will collaborate again, but this really feels like an album that is for the fans...a moment to enjoy Mariah by herself. I don't know if it will be as commercially successful as mimi or e=mc2 as it doesn't genre hop as much as those albums... so it will probably appeal to a narrower audience in ways, to true Mariah fans though.
Musically, this album definitely is very cohesive and you can sense a tight, fully rounded collection of songs... It is certainly reminiscent of 1997's "Butterfly" in this regard.... I think it was a good idea that she stuck with The Dream and Tricky only for this album.... The songs definitely flow and nothing sticks out like a sore thumb.. sometimes, Mariah's leanings towards hip hop tracks really jars an albums flow for me anyway... this album is very much a soothing, smooth rnb album about losing loving and finding it again.
It really doesn't venture into hip-hop much which I am thrilled about... since rainbow in 1999, every Mariah album has featured lots of collaborations with rappers... and often, these rappers over ran her tracks... this was something I always thought was a flaw with her albums...I'm not a rap fan but don't mind if a rapper raps a little in the middle of a song as a guest, but they do get tedious talking about their "cash, cars blah blah" and really I have found them to detract from Mariah's songs generally. So, gladly there are no collaborations this time out... Mariah is really given her fans what they really want, pure uninterrupted Mariah.. This was a brave move for Mariah, I know she had Gucci mane on the remix to obsessed but it's great for once to listen to a Mariah album without any other artist/ rapper dominating her song with adlibs all over it from start to finish.
My favourite tracks so far:
I want to know what love is: I have been dying to get my mits on this song.... It is a great choice for second single.. its so soothing at the start yet so powerful by the time it ends with the gospel choir.
My one complaint is that it seems a little short... this version is perfect for radio but I had hoped that the album version would be a little more epic, the end seems rushed and it seems to fade out very early after the choir joins to back Mariah.
Still, Mariah knows that to get radio airplay, it needs to be short and snappy... this is one of Mariah's best covers I believe. Her best since Without You for me.
Betcha goin' know: a solid start to the album, you get the sense straight away that this album is going to be intimate as Mariah sings about getting her own back on a cheating lover. Mariah doesn't hold back here, the tune is carried by a strong piano riff and heavy beats.
Obsessed: I loved this track all summer, it's so catchy, her best up-tempo since mimi's Get Your Number. Although the concept of the idea I didn't approve of originally, I wish Mariah wouldn't even engage in anything eminem has to say or do, she is far too classy to even be responding to his garbage.. but the song is just so infectious and catchy... I don't understand how this didn't enjoy more success in Europe..
HATEU:
This is another really catchy track, very strong beat propels this song on. I could see this as a strong single choice.
Candy Bling:/ The Impossible
Candy Bling is a really smooth song, very reminiscent of "the Fourth of July" from Butterfly, Mariah sings about how things were back in the day.. it feels very nostalgic... it's just such a dreamy song... very smooth. The Impossible is similar in that nostalgia feel, very like that rnb vibe from butterfly.
Ribbon:
I wasn't too sure at first about the distorted voice at the start but once this gets going, it's another fine up-tempo track. I love the strength of the beats The Dream and Tricky have given Mariah... these songs all sound so strong and catchy.
It's a wrap:
I love the start to this... Mariah's vocal acrobatics are classic Mariah...
A very old school rnb track. Mariah again can't be accused of whispering. This song sees her singing and not holding back.
Up Out My Face:
Another piano led track, a catchy uptempo/ midtempo track, again you can feel old style rnb not modern hip hop.
The reprise is a really catchy recall of the songs chorus, I love the drums and trumpet used... its like a marching band..
Mariah does deserve a success with this album, she hasn't just rehashed Mimi again like many felt she did with E=MC2. Those two albums were great fun but they were very mixed in terms of song type and this album is much more unified in sound and doesn't try too hard to pander to what is hip or fresh at the minute like those two albums before did I feel. This time, Mariah's true fans really are treated to what they wanted... Mariah performing by herself, Mariah using her voice to it's full potential/ strength and not holding back (not always belting the songs out but saving it for appropriate moments in songs), and lots of Mariah ballads and dreamy rnb that will evoke nostalgia for Butterfly fans that feel Mariah lost herself a little after butterfly in a sea of hip hop. Im sure she will collaborate again, but this really feels like an album that is for the fans...a moment to enjoy Mariah by herself. I don't know if it will be as commercially successful as mimi or e=mc2 as it doesn't genre hop as much as those albums... so it will probably appeal to a narrower audience in ways, to true Mariah fans though.
Format:Audio CD
If you are a new era Mariah fan, and into the current wave of RnB and hip-hop artists that populate the charts, then I'm sure you'll find lots to like with this album. Probably just as much as her previous E=MC2, if not quite as much as her excellent and well rounded 2005 "comeback" album Emancipation Of Mimi, which remains (in my view) her best album of the decade.
If (like me) you are more of an "old skool" Mariah fan of the "Emotions" and "Music box" era, then you might find this album a little bland and derivative at times.
That's not to say there is nothing good here.
Tracks such as H.A.T.E.U and Betcha Gon Know are typical contemporary smooth RnB, with Mimi's distinctive and exuberant vocal delivery and tear jerking lyrics to set them apart. Very enjoyable.
While "Languishing" has a more traditional sound that recalls the early days tracks such as "Vanishing", but with a more relaxed and introspective vocal style.
"Angel (The interlude)" showcases her extraordinary range to its very best. A light and airy melody while Mariah whistles and and chirps harmoniously to stratospheric heights throughout in that unique way only she can. It could charm birds down from the trees! Shame it's only a one and a half minute interlude.
The lead single "I wanna Know What Love is" is a very typical Mariah style cover. Nothing wrong with it although it's not really breaking new ground for her.
"Obsessed" is a marmite song. You'll either love it or hate it.
Personally I lean more towards hating it. I think Mariah is (or should be) well beyond needing to record such a petty comeback song. And the cheap instrumentation and heavily autotuned vocals do her no favors. Some say the melody is "catchy" but then so is the flu virus.
It's a similar story for most of the other tracks.
No innovation or flair in the instrumentation, bland melodies with superficial and at times immature sounding lyrics. Only her exceptional vocal range rescues them from being instantly forgettable.
It's disappointing because we know she can do, has done, and hopefully will do, much better.
This album came out just over a year after E=MC2, and one suspects a lot of the material on here is stuff that didn't make the grade for that recording, hence the "filler" sound to the central portion of the album.
As I said, there are a few moments of greatness in there, but they are too few and far between to make this a strong album compared to "Emancipation" or any of her 90's albums.
Roomer has it her next output will be taking a heavy retrospective influence from her first 3 albums.
I think that's probably a great idea because this style of shallow hip-hop kid pop rnb stuff really doesn't do her justice.
Here's hoping she can recapture some of that magic she had back in the 90's!
If (like me) you are more of an "old skool" Mariah fan of the "Emotions" and "Music box" era, then you might find this album a little bland and derivative at times.
That's not to say there is nothing good here.
Tracks such as H.A.T.E.U and Betcha Gon Know are typical contemporary smooth RnB, with Mimi's distinctive and exuberant vocal delivery and tear jerking lyrics to set them apart. Very enjoyable.
While "Languishing" has a more traditional sound that recalls the early days tracks such as "Vanishing", but with a more relaxed and introspective vocal style.
"Angel (The interlude)" showcases her extraordinary range to its very best. A light and airy melody while Mariah whistles and and chirps harmoniously to stratospheric heights throughout in that unique way only she can. It could charm birds down from the trees! Shame it's only a one and a half minute interlude.
The lead single "I wanna Know What Love is" is a very typical Mariah style cover. Nothing wrong with it although it's not really breaking new ground for her.
"Obsessed" is a marmite song. You'll either love it or hate it.
Personally I lean more towards hating it. I think Mariah is (or should be) well beyond needing to record such a petty comeback song. And the cheap instrumentation and heavily autotuned vocals do her no favors. Some say the melody is "catchy" but then so is the flu virus.
It's a similar story for most of the other tracks.
No innovation or flair in the instrumentation, bland melodies with superficial and at times immature sounding lyrics. Only her exceptional vocal range rescues them from being instantly forgettable.
It's disappointing because we know she can do, has done, and hopefully will do, much better.
This album came out just over a year after E=MC2, and one suspects a lot of the material on here is stuff that didn't make the grade for that recording, hence the "filler" sound to the central portion of the album.
As I said, there are a few moments of greatness in there, but they are too few and far between to make this a strong album compared to "Emancipation" or any of her 90's albums.
Roomer has it her next output will be taking a heavy retrospective influence from her first 3 albums.
I think that's probably a great idea because this style of shallow hip-hop kid pop rnb stuff really doesn't do her justice.
Here's hoping she can recapture some of that magic she had back in the 90's!
Format:Audio CD
I have to be honest but I sort lost track of Mariah since from her No 1's Album. I remember buying her debut album on cassette when I was about 14/15, after having a school girl broken heart (lol!!!)many moons ago, and thereafter bought her other albums up to No.1's but from then on for whatever reason she went off of my radar. I am baffled as to why. However, after my usual trawl on Amazon recenlty, something made me search Mariah Carey music and listen to some of the samples on the download section and now I am making it my mission to buy all her cd's I don't have thus buying this one.
I am quite baffled by some of the reviews on here for this cd. I genuinely love this cd and feel that it has quite a relaxing, chilling ambience. I am sure Mariah did not actually release this as a 'commercial' cd as another reviewer pointed out below. She seems to sing from the heart and give it her all. There are not really any upbeat tracks on this cd but they all get under your skin. Her voice really, as far as i am concerned, is on form and what a truly amazing instrument it is!
It won't be everyones cuppa but I am glad its mine.
I am quite baffled by some of the reviews on here for this cd. I genuinely love this cd and feel that it has quite a relaxing, chilling ambience. I am sure Mariah did not actually release this as a 'commercial' cd as another reviewer pointed out below. She seems to sing from the heart and give it her all. There are not really any upbeat tracks on this cd but they all get under your skin. Her voice really, as far as i am concerned, is on form and what a truly amazing instrument it is!
It won't be everyones cuppa but I am glad its mine.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
disappointed
I only like 2 out of 20 songs. How can there be 5-6 versions of one song? I am a Mariah fan but this is a disappointing CD ,I think she has lost her 'mojo'
Published 18 months ago by F. Petrone
Good
Not as good as some of her predessors but good enough. The number of interludes/preludes gets a bit annoying but besides that the songs are, at least, bareable. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Jack
You can blame lack of premotion but it's plain bad !!!!
Started of with a trivial boring piece of rubbish and steadily declines with few little good points inbetween. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Julia Havard
AMAZING!!!
It is amazing how the older Mariah gets the more better and polished she sounds.
This album will definitely appeal to fans who love the hip hop/R&B Mariah instead of the... Read more
This album will definitely appeal to fans who love the hip hop/R&B Mariah instead of the... Read more
Published on 16 Feb 2010 by Ms. A. Smith
FANTASTIC ALBUM!!!!
this is a real oldschool R&B album, totally amazing and not at all over the top so even non mariah fans will love it :)
i cant even tell you the best songs because theyre all... Read more
i cant even tell you the best songs because theyre all... Read more
Published on 15 Feb 2010 by FUTURESTARdelux
For people who APPRECIATE music: The Blueprint
I had no intention of writing a review for this album, but I've just been on a casual browse through amazon and came across what is an appalling start rating for this album and... Read more
Published on 28 Jan 2010 by Mr. Tom A. Clement
FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BACK ON TOP
WOW What an album! I was doubtful - which for a Mariah fan is not a good start - but i can now say that after sitting down and listening to the whole album with no interuptions I... Read more
Published on 13 Jan 2010 by Venus - the book lover
appalling !!
Had this given to me for Christmas, well lets just say it has put me off Mariah Carey forever.
All the tracks sound the same, slow and depressing, no one track stands out... Read more
All the tracks sound the same, slow and depressing, no one track stands out... Read more
Published on 12 Jan 2010 by madaboutmysteries
not merry carey
not very good at all,also could not download to my ipod because data base was in accessible
Published on 12 Jan 2010 by David R. Shannon
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