"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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"Danity Kane - Welcome To The Dollhouse" (Album Review)

It's been Two Years Since The Emergence & Début Album Of The Original Making The Band Winners - Danity Kane. Now, They Return To Music With The Pop-Tastic - Welcome To The Dollhouse.

Welcome To My Review

Track Listing

1. Welcome To The Dollhouse (Intro)
2. Bad Girl ft. Missy Elliott
3. Damaged
4. Pretty Boy
5. Strip Tease
6. Sucka For Love
7. Secret Place (Interlude)
8. Ecstasy ft. Rick Ross
9. 2 of You
10. Lights Out
11. Picture This (Interlude)
12. Poetry
13. Key To My Heart
14. Flashback Interlude
15. Is Anybody Listening
16. Ain't Going (Hidden Track)

The Music


The ironically titled album sees Diddy's play things on route to the International pop scene with some huge, radio ready hits. After the initial, rather pointless intro, we are immersed into a club banging joint entitled Bad Girl, the Danja produced track sets the pace well, & is a good representation of an album which is generally enjoyable, but fundamentally flawed.

The album continues well with the first single from the record, the Britney sounding - Damaged, which is not only matched, but smashed by the preceding track - Prettyboy. Danja has helped once again with his phenomenal production that sets a brilliant standard, which the rest of the record cannot uphold.

The sultry sounding - Strip Tease & the mid tempo joint - Sucka For Love provide some middle of the road filler tracks before the next bout of nicely polished records. Ecstasy offers some superb production with added token Hip-Hop flows from Rick Ross, that are not only un-needed, but seem to be a slightly pathetic attempt at getting the girls some 'street cred'. Still, It remains an enjoyable song, the vocal arrangements are excellent, as are the harmonies.

2 Of You offers some of the worst lyrical content I have heard in a long time - "You Got Me Having Breakfast In The Afternoon" is just a small example of one of the worst tracks I have heard from an apparent 'Urban Artist'. This song shouldn't have made the album & the writer - Wynter Gordon should possibly be shot. Even the excellent pop production from the Runners, could not save this song.

Next, we reach a solid, well rounded track entitled - Lights Out. I was surprised to learn that it was written by Dawn Richards, arguably the most talented of the group. This is a very likeable edition to the record, once again, the production is strong, without overpowering the ladies vocals.

The slow jam - Poetry offers some much needed down time to an otherwise up-tempo album. Musically, it is the strongest song on offer, Poetry finally shows off the huge vocal range & ability of the group. This well written track is one of a few ballads, & is set apart from the rest of the record.

After the very questionable performance on - Key To Your Heart - we receive another nugget of talent from Danity Kane with - Is Anybody Listening. While not as strong as Poetry, it flows well, is sung with emotion & let's us appreciate the vocals of a highly talented group.


Analysis


As you can probably pick up in my overview, my problems with the album don't actually lie within the tracks or even the girls themselves. I am annoyed by the principles & fundamentals of the record.

This is a group with huge potential & talent, their vocal ability is on a world class scale, it is apparent from watching the Making The Band series, that they have actually personalities & are real people. However, all of this is wasted in a soul-less, heart-less record which is so over polished that you can almost see through it.

This record is aimed at the 'Hannah Montana generation' & is marketed as R&B, which it is not, while there is rhythm, there is certainly no blues. These girls need to be let loose to do their own thing, Diddy is a genius producer, which shines through so much that you overlook the artists themselves, they become faceless & pointless. Danity Kane should be allowed to write their own material from their own experiences, then they will have the right to be called R&B artists.


Verdict


Overall, Welcome To The Dollhouse is production heaven, the varied beats from different producers is brilliant. This is a well sung, polished & professional album that provides some enjoyable listening. However, at times, it is poorly written & provides no depth or longevity, you will forget about this album as soon as you have put it down.

If you want Soul get Mary J. Blige, for R&B listen to Alicia Keys. But, if you need your Pop fix, I would recommend Danity Kane.

****** - 6/10

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"Janet Jackson - Discipline" (Album Review)

As I'm Sure Many Of You Know, Janet Jackson's Highly Anticipated New Album - Discipline, Leaked This Week. Here Is My Review.

Track Listing

1. I.D. (Interlude)" – 0:47
2. "Feedback"
   
3. "LUV"
   
4. "Spinnin" (Interlude)
   
5. "Rollercoaster"
6. "Bathroom Break" (Interlude) – 0:40
7. "Rock With U"
8. "2nite"
9. "Can't B Good"
10. "4 Words" (Interlude)
    
11. "Never Letchu Go"
    
12. "Truth or Dare" (Interlude)
    
13. "Greatest X"
14. "Good Morning Janet" (Interlude)
    
15. "So Much Betta"
16. "Play Selection" (Interlude)
    
17. "The 1" (featuring Missy Elliott)
18. "What's Ur Name"
19. "The Meaning" (Interlude)
20. "Discipline"
21. "Back" (Interlude)
22. "Curtains"
    

Introduction / First Impressions

Discipline, Janet's 10th studio album to date, has been dubbed as her 'comeback' to music, although she has never actually been away. From the offset, it is obvious that this is something of quality & highly out-weighs Jackson's other recent offerings, this is the return of a Global Pop Superstar.

The title's meaning reflects the theme of the record, every track has a sexy, raunchy feel, without becoming over the top or offensive, it is well controlled & in a sense; Disciplined.

It is obvious straight away that Discipline has a very 'futuristic' theme, from the interludes, to the techno style beats & the 'auto-tuned vocals' - it soon becomes apparent that Janet has had the creative reigns in her hands through the entirety of the record. While this futuristic theme serves the album well, it will not 'future proof' it, whether this was the plan remains to be seen.

Production values are this records strong point, & ultimately it's downfall. While the fantastic beats provide a modern, Dance-Pop fusion, as well as making most of the records 'radio friendly', they point out the fact that Janet does not hold the musical or vocal ability to compete on a 'talent level' with the likes of Mariah or Beyonce. This to me is the reason that Island - Def Jam have decoded to release both this & Mariah's record near each other, as they will not really compete with each other.

This record is aimed at the Britney Spears end of the market, but do not let this put you off, Janet is the master of this field & Britney should be looking to her as a mould of her future career. However, listening to the edgy, sexy feel of this record makes me wonder just how long she can keep this up, Janet is not the young woman she once was. I can't see her relevance in modern music lasting as long as the likes of R&B or soul singers.


The Music

Straight to the point, Discipline is a great Pop album from an amazing Pop star, if I start to ramble on, remember this is the main statement.

The hugely talented producers have, in my opinion, handed Janet a huge lump of great beats to work with. Credits include Janet's boyfriend; 'Jermaine Dupri', as well as new-comer 'MaddScientist', 'Rodney -Dark Child- Jerkins', 'Ne-Yo', 'Tricky Stewart' & 'The-Dream'.

I feel that while Janet has made the most of these producers, she has allowed their work to 'over power' her, tracks such as 'So Much Betta' & 'Rock With U' leave her vocal ability so un-noticeable, that it feels un-needed. The work of such producers becomes even more apparent when we reach the Ballads, if they can be called that. While they don't cause offence to the ears, most simply don't go anywhere, Janet seems to have made them for the sake of having some slow tracks.

'Can't B Good', offers a really nice exception to the rule, this cool, fresh jam feels more like a Michael Jackson song, than a Janet one, it offers some soothing vocals & actually conveys a real story. Of the semi-mediocre ballads, this is definitely the best. My pet hate of the album is 'Greatest X', the generic 90's R&B beat, accompanied by the excruciatingly cheesy lyrics make this an unnecessary piece of randomness in an otherwise focused track arrangement.

I also felt that the record seemed to 'tail off' at the end, once you reach the Missy Elliott collaboration 'The 1', you really need go no further. I was waiting for that 1 hot joint that you find near the end of a lot of albums, but I'm not sure if I ever found it. Maybe 'Discipline' is that little Gem, it's strange, raunchy feel works well with the airy vocals of Jackson, this makes for a sexy, easy listen track, but I'm currently sitting on the fence until I make my mind up.

Now, for the good points. The entire album offers that 'night out' feel, it contains hot party joints that are genuinely addictive, as well as being radio friendly & obvious singles I actually enjoy hearing them over & over. I find it hard to choose 'Feedback' or '2Nite' as the best track, both offer the same, spectacular production & catchy hooks, I think 'Feedback' will be the joint that is remembered.

Another part that I now find cool are the 'interludes' between the tracks, I usually feel that the songs on an album should be enough to tell the story of the record, but these little inserts do help piece together the feel, without ruining it, although the voice acting from Janet is questionable.


Verdict

'Discipline' offers a mixed bag of Pop, R&B & Dance tracks & an excellent blend of easy listen, well formed, professionally produced songs. Janet has put out a very consistent record that is enjoyable in the large part from beginning to end.

This female orientated record has an instant likeability that will appeal to a mainly young audience, with it's single worthy club tracks & well formulated party songs, it shows us why Janet is a superstar.

Miss Jackson has brought us a Pop record that we can listen to out loud without being ashamed, finally someone has made Pop just a little more respectable. This will be a hit, but is not a classic.

******* - 7/10

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