If you don't know already, Memoirs Of An Imperfect Angel is the name of superstar singer Mariah Carey's latest album.
As you have most probably guessed by now, I have bought her album and listened to it for many rounds already. So want to know what I think of it?
OK, so here's my take on Mariah's newest album. Well, that is, if you don't mind reading a review written by one of her huge fans! Just keep in mind that I'm a little biased, but I will try my best to give a fair review. Haha!
I will review every single track on the album and rate it from 1 to 5 stars, where the ratings go like this.
1 star - the song sucks!
2 stars - not really good, but passable.
3 stars - quite good, but won't make it to No.1 on the charts.
4 stars - great song - love it!
5 stars - Wow! A potential chart topper!
And I have included a 30 seconds sample of each tracks for your listening pleasure. However, be warned! This album is unlike Mariah's past albums and there is no single track that I like on my first listen! Yes, incredible that I would say this, being a huge fan of her, but it's true.
Most of the songs in this album require repeated listening because they will sort of 'grow' on you.
On my first listen, I find them a bit monotonous, bland and even boring! The songs all sound pretty much alike! Suffice to say I was disappointed.
On my second listen, the slow songs started to depress me a little. I needed more energy, more vibes!
But on my third listen, the charm started to work its magic. I suddenly found I love almost all the songs very much and once I started listening intently to the lyrics, I was hooked! Few albums ever had this kind of effect on me, and I am glad this one did!
So do not judge these songs too quickly by merely listening to these 30 seconds tracks.
Memoirs of an imperfect Angel
1. Betcha Gon' Know (The Prologue)
This song is about catching your lover cheating on you and the hurt and vengeance that ensues. It is beautifully sung, with much emotion and breathtaking intensity. I love Mariah's voice on the chorus part! Absolutely a delight to listen to. In fact, I would even say this is a very classy, slow jam!
It is interesting that this song mentioned a little bit about Oprah Winfrey and Barbara Walters and how Mariah will "laugh right in your face" if you cheat on her.
This song definitely sets the tone for the rest of the album!
My Ratings : 4.5 stars
2. Obsessed
Before the song starts, Mariah said these words "I was like, why are you so obsessed with me?"
Now we would never be sure if she was referring to notorious rapper Eminem, as she kept denying it. Don't know anything about the Mariah vs Eminem feud? Read here.
But of course, both Mariah and Eminem took full advantage of this opportunity using social media and all the publicity generated to elevate their songs to the top of the charts!
In any case, I love this song! It's very radio friendly, with a catchy hook and chorus that can be sung to anyone whom you think is delusional or crazy. Haha!
And I just love the witty lyrics! Man, I think Mariah is getting better and better at writing sharp, put-you-down lyrics! Consider this...
"You a mom and pop, I'm a corporation.
I'm the press conference, you a conversation."
If those words are aimed at Eminem, I would say, OUCH! Of course, Eminem responded with another song but I will leave that for another post : )
By the way, this song made it to the top of the charts on Malaysia's Fly FM. Yeah! You can continue to vote for this song on Mix FM and Fly FM.
My Ratings : 4.5 stars
3. H.A.T.E.U
This song, which is a tribute to Minnie Riperton, is about a lover's lament (not necessarily Mariah) over the untimely end of her romance. Although the title seems to say "I hate you!" but in actual fact it stands for 'Having A Typical Emotional Upset'.
It's a beautiful heartbreak ballad filled with lush harmonies. Mariah seems to be singing a recurring melody in the upper registers not unlike in the style of Minnie Riperton. Ironically, this song is called "Hate U" while Riperton's famous song is titled "Loving U".
Not only that, Riperton's album is called "Perfect Angel". And this album is titled "Memoirs Of An Imperfect Angel". No coincidence there - I believe Mariah is a fan of Minnie Riperton!
I actually did not like this song on the first listen, but it seems to 'grow' on me. Surprisingly, most Mariah's fans love this song a lot!
My Ratings : 3.5 stars
4. Candy Bling
This song is all about reminiscing past love, mainly teenage love. Reminds me of the song "Underneath The Stars" from her Daydream album.
Not exactly my favourite, although again I didn't like it on my first listen, but it gradually grew on me. I guess maybe Mariah used too much whispery vocals throughout the song and it wasn't until towards the end that she let her voice go. Now that's the best part of the entire song!
My Ratings : 3 stars
5. Ribbon
I can't tell you how much I love this song! It just gets better and better with each listen! Currently, it's my most favourite song on the album although that might change later on.
I like the syncopated rhythm when she sings "Wrapped up, packed up, ribbon with a bow on it." I love how she adds in those counter melodies - she's just so damn talented!
Definitely a very radio friendly song with all the right hooks and a potential chart topper if released as a single.
My Ratings : 5 stars
6. Inseparable
Another song which took me some time to like. It uses a small sample from Cyndi Lauper's song "Time After Time".
I like Mariah's voice when she sings the second verse "Got photos of us on my refrigerator...". Nice song, but unlikely to be a chart topper.
My Ratings : 3 stars
7. Standing O
This is a stand out, foot thumping anthem with a tinge of raggae. Mariah is lashing out at her ex-lover and sarcastically salutes him by giving him a standing ovation.
I like this song on my second listen, probably due to its very infectious and addictive chorus. As usual, Mariah is brilliant in her counter melodies - just listen how she adds in those melodies while the infectious chorus is going on.
Oh, one interesting part in the lyrics is where she sings "As you embrace her in your arms, give her 'my all', give her more than you gave me." Incidentally, "My All" is a hit song from Mariah's Butterfly album, and also one of my favourite songs of hers! I guess only a fan like me will be able to spot this! Haha!
My Ratings : 4.5 stars
8. It's A Wrap
This one also took me some time to appreciate. But once I like it, there is no turning back! On this song, Mariah sounds refreshingly raw with no soft whispery vocals. Instead she showcases her strong vocals throughout which is a delight to listen to.
I even dare say this song may join Mariah's classics like "Vision Of Love" and "Always Be My Baby". What makes this song a good listen is Carey's multi-tracked voices that seem to flow around her lead vocal and all with minimal instrumentation - just perfect!
My Ratings : 4.5 stars
9. Up Out My Face
This is another song where Mariah lashes out at her ex-lover although she is also doing it in a most humorous way! It's actually humourous bordering on craziness! Don't believe me? Here's the ridiculously funny line from the song...
"If we were two Lego blocks, even the Harvard University Graduating Class of 2010 couldn't put us back together again!"
It must be a mouthful singing that, but Mariah sang it effortlessly!
I wonder if she's dissing Eminem again when she sings "You ain't a rapper, so you need to stop spitting it..." Haha!
I absolutely love this thumping club jam of a song. It's definitely hip-hop Mariah with an attitude! And minus the rappers, which I am glad as she does not need rappers to spice up this song! A potential chart topper IMHO.
My Ratings : 5 stars
10. Up Out My Face (The Reprise)
I could not believe my ears when I hear this track! It's the reprise of the previous song but using the big sounding marching brass band! How creative and clever! Totally unexpected and delightful at the same time!
It's tracks like this that makes me think that Mariah is a comedian or a joker!
My Ratings : 4.5 stars
11. More Than Just Friends
In this song, Mariah drops big brand names like our very own Jimmy Choo! Wow! This is not the first time Mariah mention famous brand names - she did it in the song "Shake It Off", from her Emancipation Of Mimi album, touching on Louis Vuitton.
This song is kind of fun and hilarious to me. Even Mariah pokes fun of herself and does not take herself too seriously when she sings this!
"I wanna be all on your lips like gelato,
Permanently paint me in your picture like Piccasso,
Love me down till I hit the top of my soprano. "
I like that they rhyme. Haha! This song seems to get better with each listening and now I'm thoroughly enjoying it!
My Ratings : 4.5 stars
12. The Impossible
According to Mariah, this song is dedicated to her husband Nick Cannon. There's a small sample from the R&B group Jodeci's song, "Forever My Lady" used here.
I did not really like this song on my first listen. I thought it sounded boring and monotonous. After some time, I like it more but it is still not a huge favourite of mine. Mariah seems to like this song though. Maybe because it is dedicated to her husband?
However, I like how she ends the song with "I almost given up, the impossible!" Nice touch!
My Ratings : 3 stars
13. The Impossible (The Reprise)
I don't quite like this filler, she should have cut this track out!
My Ratings : 2 stars
14. Angel (The Prelude)
I also don't quite like this prelude as it's mostly Mariah using her whistle voice ending up like some kind of otherworldly (or maybe angelic?) shrill. In my opinion, deleting this and the previous track will make the album shorter and tighter.
My Ratings : 2 stars
15. Angels Cry
This one should immediately appeal to those who like her ballads. But, surprisingly I found it to be just OK. Certainly not as good as her older ballads eg. "Butterfly", "My All", "Lead The Way".
And she is wrong about lightning not striking the same place twice as mentioned in the lyrics! We all know that lightning does indeed strike the same place twice!
Still, it is not too bad and the lyrics is actually quite meaningful. And I like it when she hold onto the long note at the end!
My Ratings : 3 stars
16. Languishing (The Interlude)
This song reminds me of the song "Looking In" from her Daydream album and "Rainbow Interlude" from her Rainbow album.
A nice and enjoyable song which blends very seamlessly into the next track "I Want To Know What Love Is".
My Ratings : 4 stars
17. I Want To Know What Love Is
Already released as a single but didn't do too well on the charts, this is a remake of the Foreigner's hit of the same name. When I first listened to this, I was not very impressed with it. Maybe wrong choice of song? Ooh, I am talking like one of those judges from American Idol now. Haha!
But after listening a few times, I am beginning to like it more. Especially when the gospel choir joins in and Mariah sings in her signature glass shattering high vocals, which I love!
By the way, if you are a fan, help this song reach No. 1 on Mix FM by voting here. Thanks!
My Ratings : 3.5 stars
Tracks 18 - 21 are remixes of the song "Obsessed", so I shall not review on those.
Overall, this album has a very cohesive structure. The songs are all interconnected through the lyrics as if each song is treated like an entry in a diary. As such, this album will not be able to produce really good hit singles. To me, that's a risk Mariah has to face for now the trend is on single sales and not so much on album sales.
I don't think this album will do that well commercially, but perhaps Mariah has reached the stage in her career where she does not really bother too much about sales or getting her songs to No.1 on the charts anymore!
Mariah also played it low key this time without resorting to over the top vocal acrobatics. But she did it with lots of class and style, elevating the sensual slow jams to an art form here. I really think she deserves a Grammy for this effort!
To fans who like her inspirational ballads, they may be disappointed with this album, but for me, it's a great and exceptional album, one which deserves to be in my collection and which I shall be listening to for many weeks to come.
So here's my ratings for this album and all her previous albums that I have in my collection!
Memoirs Of An Imperfect Angel (2009) - 4 stars
E = MC2 (2008) - 4.5 stars
The Emancipation Of Mimi (2005) - 4.5 stars
Charmbracelet (2002) - 3 stars
Glitter (2001) - 3.5 stars
Rainbow (1999) - 4 stars
No.1s (1998) - 5 stars
Butterfly (1997) - 4.5 stars
Daydream (1995) - 5 stars
Merry Christmas (1994) - 4.5 stars
Music Box (1993) - 4.5 stars
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