Rap-Up.com || Review Roundup: Mariah Carey – ‘Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel’

Mariah Carey’s Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel arrives in stores Tuesday. Did the songbird’s 12th studio album hit a high note with critics? Find out below.

Entertainment Weekly: It’s puzzling to hear one of music’s most powerful voices continually corralled into a feathery R&B midrange; imperfections are nowhere to be found on Memoirs, but neither are many true revelations. B

USA Today: By the album’s end, this imperfect angel seems no closer to finding heaven—though her gloriously gospel-infused version of Foreigner’s “I Want to Know What Love Is” certainly comes close. 3 out of 4

Los Angeles Times: Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel will stand out in Carey’s catalog as an experiment that illuminates her place in the pantheon without either boosting it or damaging it. I wouldn’t be surprised if, a decade from now, Carey cites this effort as a personal favorite. It’s that kind of wholly decent effort: a self-exploration that settles on its unpretentious insights by not pushing too hard. 2.5 out of 4

The New York Times: “H.A.T.E.U.” has some of the ease of her recent successes, and “It’s a Wrap” swings with girl-group melody. But it’s the vintage notes here that resonate most intensely. She lets her voice go at the end of “Candy Bling,” a cold splash of water that reminds us what Ms. Carey can do when left unfettered.

Boston Herald: Sassy and occasionally ridiculous lyrics (“love you like a freeze pop”) bring out a playful side that offsets the time Carey spends languishing in lost love territory. She’s at her best when dismissing, not missing, that no-longer-special someone, as on the track to download, “Up Out My Face.” B+

Chicago Sun-Times: Through it all, as usual, Carey over-sings at every opportunity, needlessly trilling up and down the scales as if we needed one more reminder of why she’s the favorite virtuoso of the “American Idol” crowd substituting skill for soul. Eminem isn’t right about much, but he’s spot on when it comes to dismissing this butterfly. 1.5 out of 4

Chicago Tribune: On her 12th studio album, Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel (Island), Carey doesn’t resort to vocal histrionics or production gimmickry. Instead, she plays it low-key, and ends up with her best album since the ’90s heyday. 3 out of 4

Newsday: On Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel, restraint has given way to inertia. Low-wattage and low-impact, it’s a humdrum descent into midtempo, hopelessly burdened with ballads.

Rap-Up’s Favorite Tracks: “Obsessed,” “H.A.T.E.U.,” “Ribbon,” “Standing O”

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58 Comments

Lebo(CaribbeanBoi)
September 27th, 2009 at 6:57 am
I have the album & its very dissapointing , my fav. song is Betcha Gon Know , i give that song 5 star :-)
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LoveItOrNot Reply:
October 4th, 2009 at 2:12 am
@Lebo(CaribbeanBoi),
You have the album? wow. You mean you downloaded it illegally. How can you have the album on the 27th when it was released only last Sept 29? That’s kinda suspicious to me.
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GeeMan
September 27th, 2009 at 7:15 am
I can”t wait hear it full for myself because critics have their views and public has theirs. Honestly from the preview it sounds like a banger.
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dd83
September 27th, 2009 at 7:19 am
i hear the album in mariah’s my space and it’s really good, i give this album 4 stars
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AAWesome
September 27th, 2009 at 7:32 am
FUCK THE CRITICS! I’m a huge MCC fan and I really like this album. SIDEBAR: TIGHT AS HELL, at whoever FUCKED up her last album, “E=MC2.” That album was PURE C-R-A-C-K. Back to Memoirs, my fav tracks: “Betcha Gon’Know,” “Obsessed,” “Ribbon,” “Standing O,” “It’s a Wrap,” “Up Out My Face (and the reprise),” and “I Want To Know What Love Is.”
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Jeremy
September 27th, 2009 at 7:46 am
I have listened to this album and am totally in love with it!!! I can’t wait to run out and buy it Tuesday!!! It is different but that is what makes it amazing!! Just because it doesn’t sound like all the crap being produced these days doesn’t make it bad!!! A+++ for Mariah!!!
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mimi313
September 27th, 2009 at 7:54 am
ha
ha
u stans
i give the album a -0
Eminem ethered this ‘slut bitch cunt’ that made him ‘put up with her phsyco shit for over 6 months’!
40 year old whore
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ashanti back
September 27th, 2009 at 8:06 am
I need to visit her myspace then, before I make a call that this album is worth my money.
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Jae
September 27th, 2009 at 8:07 am
I honestly think this is one of MC’s best albums. It’s got a very raw, real feel to it. I think it’s up there with ‘Butterfly’ and ‘The Emancipation of Mimi.’
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david
September 27th, 2009 at 9:21 am
That album is so worth it..best album of the year
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ron.e
September 27th, 2009 at 9:26 am
Chicago Sun-Times’ review seems biased much? While this “critic” claims the album is oversang, yet all others are emphasizing on its restraint vocally. Oh yeah, and Eminem was dragged into the review – nice one. NOT.
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Fresh Prince
September 27th, 2009 at 9:58 am
The chicago sun times said it best…ITS TRUE SHE DOES SUBSTITUTE SKILLS OVER SOUL IN ALL HER SONGS NOW…smh i don’t know about this album…obsessed made me not even wanna look at that album.
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Matt
September 27th, 2009 at 9:58 am
I really don’t understand the critics this go-round. It seems as if she can’t please them with anything she does. What exactly is it that they are waiting for?
This album is great. Miles ahead of E=MC2
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bkdude44
September 27th, 2009 at 10:00 am
Those who don’t have talent write reviews. This album in incredible!! H.A.T.E.U. and It’s A Wrap are two of her greatest songs of all time.
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Cashh.
September 27th, 2009 at 10:09 am
this album is one of Mariahs BEST.
newsday also says E=MC2 was UNDERRATED in the full article / tho i liked that album, MEMOIRS is a complete smash.
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Manny
September 27th, 2009 at 10:13 am
you can hear the rawness & emotion in her voice when she sings on this album, she sounds amazing. songs like its a wrap really take you back to the old days, standing O is one of her best tracks, actually many of the songs are really throw backs. everything is on point
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iTS_ME
September 27th, 2009 at 11:11 am
I already have it, the best song is ” The Impossible” the 808 on that track is CrAZy!!
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Jason
September 27th, 2009 at 11:14 am
I love Mariah. Not her best effort, but I think it was a really good album, and although people may have a problem with her vocal acrobats, lyrically I think it is one her best albums. Especially songs like “H.A.T.E.U” that are incredibly personal, you see a side of Mrs. Canon that she has always been on the edge of, but resisted sharing with us before.
I say 4 out of 5.
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Joey
September 27th, 2009 at 11:38 am
Mariah is one of the few artists who consistently put out #1 albums 20 years into her career. The album is a hit, like it or not! Angels Cry, Standing O, H.A.T.E. U, Up Out My Face, IWTKWLI, Obsessed. These are all great songs. Go buy anybody elses album in stores now and see if you like that many songs on one album. Im gonna support this album bc the woman deserves it. She writes and produces all of her own material. These critics hold this woman up to way too high of standards. And no, im not one of those fanatic Mariah fans who support her no matter what, I sincerely think shes a talented artist 20 years into the game. Her voice gives me goosebumps! As for those of you who call her a whore, You have issues you need to go take care of. That has nothing to do with her album and im sure ur moms have all been around the block, without all the grammys and record breaking music!
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FANCY
September 27th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
Fuck the critics! This album is the best R&B album by a female to release this year. Pure R&B.
This is what the game has been missing and MC is bringing it on this new album.
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PNTRO
September 27th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
DID YOU KNOW:
Mariah & The Dream finished 7 songs in Feb 09
That’s including “Standing O”
On The Other Hand,
2NE1 The Korean Girl Band has released a song that resemble Standing O in July 09
So……
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LoveItOrNot Reply:
October 4th, 2009 at 2:20 am
@PNTRO,
So what’s your point?
Bwahaha, who cares about 2ne1? Mariah Carey won’t steal/copy a song without giving much credit to someone who wrote it. Whenever she uses a melody of a song and used it, it’s always been on her album credits. She’s been writing songs even before those girls were even born.
Soooooo…….
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bass_man
September 27th, 2009 at 12:22 pm
I love the album
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LiCari
September 27th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
Puhlease , I`ve always hated the Chicago and Los Angeles times! So biased! Mariah BROUGHT it this time round .. this album is a step up from E=MC2. Also, whoever wrote that review at the Chicago Sun Times is VERY unprofessional. Why did Eminem have to be brought up? Cmon.
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CandyGirl89
September 27th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
so your point is PNTRO?
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Catie
September 27th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
It seems that the reviews are pretty mixed. I’m still purchasing the album either way, i loved “E=MC2″ (despite what others think about it).
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CandyGirl89
September 27th, 2009 at 1:16 pm
PNTRO do not bring up 2ne1 you will only make them look more bad. 2ne1 is from the same company who are accused to be plagiarizers. lets focus on this here repost of my post from before. before i do that i think there are some nice songs on the album. i just wont buy the album since i dont buy cd’s. anyway now here you go PNTRO
just look up the following songs.
the following are yg artist songs.
big bang forever with you vs mariah carey’s we belong together
g dragon heartbreaker vs flo rida right round
g dragon this love vs maroon 5’s this love
big bang with u vs joe’s rock with u
2ne1 i dont care vs lionel richie just go
g dragon butterfly vs oasis she’s electric
g dragon’s the leaders or wassup vs snoop dogg’s drop it like it is hot
2ne1 fire vs kat deluna whine up
so anyway right now sony atv is calling yg plagiarizers. as a result yg mentioned in a letter about mariah song. therefore that is the only reason she got bought up. now that it is settled have a nice day and move on from this bs story about mariah plagiarizing them.
since we all know who the real plagiarizers are :D
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CandyGirl89
September 27th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
my bad forgot one more song.
2ne1 in the club vs mariah standing o,rihanna’s umbrella,mariah’s obsessed,usher moving mountains, rihanna hatin on the club,mariah’s side effects.
the songs i posted after 2ne1 in the club is songs that people say is similar to 2ne1 in the club. people in fact accused 2ne1 in the club of being a copy of rihanna’s umbrella. not to mention some people felt they was hearing usher’s moving mountains.
there is a video on youtube which brings together 2ne1 in the club and rihanna’s umbrella together. not only that it is other songs atleast 3 songs of 2ne1 accused of being plagiarism. not to mention this whole company yg is accused of wannabe’s trying to hard to copy american music to the point that they just clearly plagiarized.
thanks PNTRO for bringing that up. now that it is cleared lets move on and enjoy this post :D
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April
September 27th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
I Think that this album is amazing
her voice is fabulous and her songs remind me of her first and second album.,
I love it and im buying all the family one for there christmas present :)
Mariah is the best.
So get your facts straight you obese haters !!
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queen beyonce
September 27th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
wow @ the critics…that isnt too good for MC…
my faves are up out your face, H.A.T.E.U & angels cry
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Lawayne
September 27th, 2009 at 1:52 pm
THE ALBUM’S FIRE!!
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tamone
September 27th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
this album is AMAZING !
half these critics dont know real music if it slapped them in the face !
im DEF. buying this album!
id say one of mariahs GREATEST albums ever made !
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Baller11311
September 27th, 2009 at 2:57 pm
Mariah is a hoe. Maybe she will strip on bet like she did on trl. Maybe she will lie about a relationship with eminem and have to use his image in a video to make headlines. Did she also marry that dude from wildin n out with a ring he bought for another woman. I blame Mariah and sex and the city for the inspiring millions into being shallow and whorish. Honestly she deserves to die herself after ruining micheal jackson’s funeral with her pos slut version, maybe hold off on the 45 year old cleavage next time whore.
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Jesse_
September 27th, 2009 at 3:21 pm
Im definately buying “Memoirs” 2moro! cant wait when it blows on the charts! Im sure it will debut at #1! Im loving every track on the album..trust me..far better than u heard ere
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Angela
September 27th, 2009 at 5:38 pm
Lets not forget those of you who seem to have forgotten. THis is a woman who 20 years into her career is still at #1. Not only does she writes her songs but also sells out arenas. So who cares anymore what critics think. We should all be glad that Mariah still graces us with her beautiful voice. Numbers don’t lie and she will be good even if she decides never to put another album out again.
She has a new sound. We all keep criticizing her about the old Mariah verses New. Well that’s what you call revolving with time. We keep praising all of these new artist that have hits. Note: They don’t write any of them. She is the epitome when it comes to an artist. I give her new album 5 stars. So excited!!!!!. Can’t wait until her US Tour!!!!!!!!!!!
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Volrath
September 27th, 2009 at 8:32 pm
Memoirs is PERFECT! 5 ***** from ME! I heard the album ppl ere are deaf & not appreciating gr8 music & talent. She has both and potrayed them via this album.
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PNTRO
September 27th, 2009 at 8:46 pm
To CandyGirl89
Didn’t you even read my whole post?
I Stated that, Stand O was recorded in Feb 09
5 Months before the 2NE1′s In The Club!!!!
So the chairman of YG has to do a better research before bringing someone like Mariah up.
And HELLO! I’m a lamb and already bought the album, specially early!
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4 STARS or more
September 27th, 2009 at 8:55 pm
I really like this album! It’s a whole lot better than E=MC2.
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dlady03
September 27th, 2009 at 8:57 pm
Omg. This album is hot. I just heard betcha gon know. Man. Before u judge get this album and listen to the lyrics. Wow. So many great songs. H.A.T.E.U, Angels Cry, Up Out My Face, The Impossible, Its A Wrap. Great job MC. Haters try hating this time around.
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CandyGiel89
September 28th, 2009 at 12:34 am
my bad PNTRO all i seen was 2ne1 and erupted. oops sorry :D
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CandyGirl89
September 28th, 2009 at 12:35 am
grr cant even spell my name right :(
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pinkpop
September 28th, 2009 at 1:05 am
some songs are good, but just a few… most of the rest sound just like interludes (and I don’t mean the “interludes” with this). those songs are too much midtempo, they do nothing for me
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Stephonne
September 28th, 2009 at 1:59 am
I am not a huge MC fan but this album is dope. It is just good well written and performed music. It made me a fan again after being disappointed for quite awhile.
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Tyrone
September 28th, 2009 at 4:07 am
wow, just listened to the album, purely for the hype around it, never been much of a Mariah fan after Fantasy with ODB, but this album sounds tight, its awesome – pure r&b – and the songs all grow on you, listened about 3 times and on the 4th listen, i was like, whoa, this shit is awesome!
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davidf
September 28th, 2009 at 8:49 am
VERY ROMANTIC. I LOVE HER IDEAS, SHE HAS PUT SO MANY YET SHE HAS TO FIND A DIFFERENCE JUST FOR US.I THINK THERE’S A SONG FOR EVERY ONE.SHE IS AN 18 NO. 1′S PRODUCER . THERE’S NO FAILURE FOR SURE.
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Kilyan
September 28th, 2009 at 3:21 pm
I juSt bought it….and been 4hours im listening to it.
she just keep me amazed with her talent…
She trulY an ArtiSt…
BleSs u MC
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Clint
September 28th, 2009 at 4:36 pm
How can anyone honestly say they listened to this and liked it? LOL. She could fart and record it and some of you would sniff it and say it’s number one.
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LoveItOrNot Reply:
October 4th, 2009 at 2:09 am
@Clint,
I did listen to it’s preview and I basically pre-ordered it and have the album last Monday. All I can say is, if E=MC2 went to number one with 400+k in it’s first week, why can’t Memoirs? when it’s far better than E=MC2. It’s a Daydream/Butterfly album combined.
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Drizzy
September 28th, 2009 at 4:56 pm
so Mario’s DNA leaked and its pretty good probably the best male R&B album out this year and obviously Mariah’s is the best R&b album out this year. I put the two albums together and they work as a soundtrack to a couple’s love life. It starts with Mariah reminiscing about her past love and goes in to the memory of the meet up to the break up of the couple. Here’s the track listing of the story:
1. Candy Bling
2. Thinkin About You (Mario)
3. More Than Just Friends
4. I Choose You (Mario)
5. Ribbon
6. Ooh Baby (Mario)
7. Impossible Reprise
8. Break Up (Mario feat Gucci Maine & S.Garett)
9. Up Out My Face
10. Emergency Room (Mario feat Rihanna)(shes Pissed he hasnt broken up with Mariah)
11. Inseparable
12. Don’t Walk Away (Mario)
13. H.A.T.E.U
14. Soundtrack To My Broken Heart (Mario)
15. Betcha Gon’ Know
16. Get Out (Mario feat Ludacris)
17. Standing O
18. I Miss My Friend (Mario)
19. Angels Cry
20. The Hardest Moment (Mario)
21. Languishing
The tracks flow really well and show a story from both perspectives (basically mario cheating on mariah lol). When you guys download both albums try this playlist its very cohesive and takes you into this cool story in r&b format which is pretty cool. Enjoy!
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kim
September 28th, 2009 at 10:53 pm
i cant wait to get this album today :)
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Rap-Up.com || Tricky Stewart Makes Memories with Mariah
September 29th, 2009 at 4:30 am
[...] Carey’s Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel makes its way into stores today. Tricky Stewart, the hitmaker extraordinaire who had a heavy hand [...]
Juan
October 2nd, 2009 at 10:56 am
I thought the album was her greatest work since Butterfly. I think the ones before M.O.I.A, were more for teens, but this album is more mature and I expected some lil pop tunes, and was blown away by the lyrics and the mature sound of this album. My fave songs…
1. Angels Cry
1. Bethcha Gon know
2. Inseparable
3. I want to know what love is
4. Candy Bling…
I rate this album 4 1/2 stars out of five :)
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LoveItOrNot
October 4th, 2009 at 2:04 am
I think this is way better than Rainbow and E=mc2 combined. It’s a mixture of Daydream era and Butterfly era in one album. This album tells a story of a certain guy and she’s right. it’s like a diary of hers.
These are my fave songs on this album:
1. angels’ cry – reminds me of the music box/butterfly era. The melody and lyric and the way she delivers it is so amazing
2. Betcha Gon Know – i love the line where she sings “somewhere down the line you got what you deserve, you f!@#$n jerk”
3. Standing O – Catchy tune
4. Up out my face – kinda funny song
5. H.A.T.E.U. – a song that will hurt you
6. Candy Bling – reminds me of Underneath the Stars from her daydream album.
7. Languishing – reminds me of an early 90′s Mariah.
and the runner ups are I wanna know what love is, inseperable, more than just friends, the impossible, it’s a wrap.
I am still not a fan of ribbon and obsessed.
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Ricki
October 4th, 2009 at 9:44 pm
I love this album, even though I had to get it like 4 days late because australia always takes ages to get albums LOL. I love her voice, its so pure and angelic. People just need to take the time to listen to some of the songs, they’re so touching, especially the interlude “languishing”. I don’t care if she doesn’t hits the big notes or belts her voice anymore, all I listen to, is the lyrics, not only is her voice touching but the words are so personal and emotional. As she claims in one of her interviews, always hitting the big notes will become boring and rather conveying her versatility makes her a true, perfect, beautiful, angelic artist. And whoever is claiming she is awhore, firstly what facts do you have? ohhh woow she wears skimpy clothes and secondly who are you to judge, as if you are perfect or wholly enough to judge others. No one on this planet can judge others, no one is perfect and even if she did have sexual relationships with a few men, as if you who judge are perfect, innoncent and has never commited a sin. Shes totally devoted to christianity and I find it hard to beleive that she is a so called whore…grow up and take a long look at yourself in the mirror and realise your own faults before you judge others.
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Sweets
October 6th, 2009 at 10:25 am
Hi im trying to find the song that played on the radio the other day..it was mariah carey singing an old song…would any of you’s know whats the name of the song???
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HAnnah
October 30th, 2009 at 7:59 pm
THIS IS SOOO UNFAIR!!! I reckon this is her best album yet!!! what do you people want from her?!?! she’s sooo amazing!!
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Lee
November 23rd, 2009 at 5:21 am
I have to admit i was really looking forward to this album, i too was very disappointed. The whole album just sounds like 1 midtone note that never ends, what happened to the up-tempo songs, instead all we have are ballads that dont have the carey flair that they used to. Although lyrically she has probably penned some of her best work, this album just still felt flat all the way through. Maybe instead of trying to be this R n B diva, go back to being the diva we all know and love.
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Kimi
December 30th, 2009 at 6:54 pm
If I had to list all of Mariah’s albums from top to bottom, Memoirs of an imperfect angel would be right on top!!
Each song is like a personal diary entry! Each song fits her voice well and the whole album shows a new passionate, sensual, creative and mellow side of Mariah!
Each song tells a different story and every single song is FRESH. I never get bored of listening to all the songs on this album again and again.
Definitely better than E=MC2 and even better than the Emancipation Of Mimi!! One of the best start-to-finish albums of her career!
Top Songs:
- Obsessed
- H.A.T.E.U
- Standing O
- It’s A Wrap
- Up Out My Face
- The Impossible
- Angels Cry
- I Want To Know What Love Is
There’s been a lot of bad talk about Mariah these days. If you ask me, this album is very underrated. It truly is a great album. If you close your eyes and listen to each song, you can really feel the emotion and story in every single song, as it gets your heart pumping and lifts your spirit.
Should you buy it? YES!
This is a huge turning point in a career and deserves much more publicity.
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