"Mariah Carey - E=MC2" (Album Review)

It's Been Almost 3 Years To The Day That The Biggest Female Recording Artist Of All Time - Mariah Carey, Released Her Career Defining Album - The Emancipation Of Mimi. Now She Returns With The Highly Anticipated New Record - E=MC2.

Will 'E=MC2' Really Be 'The Emancipation' To The Power Of 2?
Find Out In My Review.


Track Listing

1. Migrate ft. T-Pain
2. Touch My Body
3. Cruise Control ft. Damien marley
4. I Stay In Love
5. Side Effects ft. Young Jeezy
6. I'm That Chick
7. Love Story
8. I'll Be Lovin' U Long Time
9. Last Kiss
10. Thanx 4 Nothin'
11. O.O.C.
12. For The Record
13. Bye Bye
14. I Wish You Well
15. Heat

Introduction

The first point to make about E=MC2 is the fact that the title confirms that the aim of the album is to be (In Mariah's own word) - "The Emancipation Of Mimi To The Power Of 2". Basically a continuation of her last, record breaking, critically acclaimed album.

Usually, I would not compare an artist's album to their last record, however, with this title & aim, I think it is only right it is compared & contrasted. Bare in mind that The Emancipation, IMO, is a modern classic in R&B.

The first thing that hit me about E=MC2 was a few ridiculously titled tracks, it has always been a pet hate of mine for track titles to incorporate modern culture, titles like - Thanx 4 Nothin' & I'll Be Lovin' You Long Time do not give me the impression that they are going to be timeless classics.

Production seems promising, with primed tracks from the likes of Danjahandz, Swizzie & long time friend & collaborator Jermaine Dupri. Then again, Mariah has never needed top notch beats to top the charts.


The Music

From the offset, it is apparent that E=MC2 is the Hip-Hop version of The Emancipation, the first track hits you like a slap from Mariah herself. Migrate offers an instant flavour of club orientated, sexy beats from the mind of Timbaland's number #2 - Danja. This track is my jam, Mariah's sultry, slightly autotuned, vocals glide effortlessly over the energetic, 'Get Up & Dance' production. She even got T-Pain to sing a whole chorus!

In a nut shell, this pretty much sums up the feel of the record, huge pop records like the current single - Touch My Body & the summer jam - Cruise Control, provide an easy listen & an unburdening sound that is pure Mariah. (It's worth noting that Mimi doing a Jamaican accent next to Damien Marley is totally unnecessary)

After my first few listens, I still remained unimpressed by Mariah's efforts, I thought E=MC2 lacked the emotional depth & heartfelt soul that The Emancipation offered. While Mariah delves deep into her past for the mid-tempo Side Effects, "If I Started, I'd Keep Crying For The Rest Of My Life" relating to her some what abusive past relationships. It just doesn't feel as deep as some of her previous efforts.

Mariah remains strong throughout the core of the album, it's unfortunate that for the most part her vocals are never stretched to the death defying heights of previous outings. While tracks such as I'll Be Lovin' You Long Time & I'm That Chick offer some friendly, sing-a-long lyrics, they offer no real challenge to the famed 'Whistle Scale' voice that we know & love.

It's not until a few repetitions that I started to appreciate some of the tracks of E=MC2. From the highly tuned I Stay In Love to the somewhat semi-autobiographical Love Story, with lyrics such as "This Aint Gonna End Up Like That Casablanca Movie" - relating to the record company owned by former partner Tommy Mottola. This album is deeper than I first gave credit for.

I think the reason The Emancipation was such a great album was due to it's mix of high energy 'Hip-Pop' records & brilliantly sung soul ballads. While E=MC2 reaches these heights with it's club based records, it falls a little short on the slow jam level, there is just something missing. That indescribable Mariah Magic that can bring tingles to the spine is less prominent in this record.

Certain tracks, that I expected to burst with flavour & energy just seemed a little absent, there are some exceptions to the rule, the emotional Bye Bye, in which Mariah says goodbye to recently deceased members of her family. Also - I Wish You Well, while being stunningly performed, does feel like a carbon copy of Fly Like A Bird, my personal favourite Mimi track, it even includes another spoken word performance from Clarence Keaton, Carey's pastor.


Analysis

Overall, E=MC2 offers a modern, perfectly polished, well sung, brilliantly produced record that combines Carey's astonishing vocals with her obvious love of Hip-Hop. In parts, the record offers raw emotion, in others, it is a party record that will be big on radio & in the clubs.

The downfall of this record is it's predecessor, where The Emancipation offered an amazing new sound for Mariah, E=MC2 just feels like it's full of tracks that didn't quite make the cut for her last album. It almost feels like a step backward for Mimi, if she plans on retaining her newly found R&B crown, she needs to try something new. With new albums from the likes of Beyonce moving towards the European/Dance market, Mariah needs to step up her game, she can't afford to be a one trick pony.


Verdict

I recently heard Mariah say - "If The Emancipation Was The Main course, Then E=MC2 Is the Dessert" - this is the perfect way to sum up the record, E=MC2 is a sweet treat, but I was already full from Mimi's last album. You wouldn't want to replace the main course with dessert now would you?

******** - 8/10

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