Mariah Carey E=MC2 Album Review
New CD includes Number 1 “Touch My Body” and Says Bye Bye to Glitter
Mariah Carey didn't invent the mathematical equation E=MC2 but on her new album of that title, she repeats a formula that has propelled her to international superstardom.
Mariah Carey returns with E=MC2 featuring chart breaking single “Touch My Body”. With the anticipation surrounding the new record, it’s hard to believe at the turn of the decade she couldn’t give away copies of her CDs.
A few years back, Glitter and Charmbracelet quickly became buried in the bargain bin at Wal-Mart, Carey excelled in bizarre public behavior (later perfected by Britney Spears) and the singer's career seemed all but washed up.
But following her very public breakdown, Carey came back to score one of her biggest albums to date, 2005’s “The Emancipation of Mimi”, blending hip hop beats with her signature honey-sweet vocals.
Continuing in the same vein, she releases E=MC2.
E=MC2 on Cruise Control
Since her early career, Carey has straddled a fine line between the lady and the tramp. There’s the “Hero” Mariah Carey and there’s the “Heartbreaker” Mariah Carey.
Learning quickly that if something isn’t broken…, she enlisted a team of hot producers to back her sugar-sweet lyrics and duel personality. Jermaine Dupri, StarGate, T-Pain, Damian Marley and Young Jeezy cook up club beats, down-tempo love songs as well as emotion-filled ballads for the re-established diva.
Album opener, “Migrate”, a hip hop flavored floor filler, features T-Pain followed by the number 1 single “Touch my Body” (her 18th) and “Cruise Control” featuring Damian Marley. These “Heartbreaker” Mariah Carey tracks showcase her fun side, with paper thin lyrics and cool jams. With summer coming up, it’s not hard to imagine a scantly clad Carey belting out these tunes while riding the strip in her convertible.
Then there’s the “Hero” Maria Carey. “I Stay in Love” tells the story of lost love. This poignant break up song clings heavily to the idea her lover will return. “And I know we said let go / But I kept on hanging on / Inside I know it's over / You're really gone,” she coos over a hushed piano-driven arrangement.
Meanwhile another breakup song on the album, “Thanks for Nothin’” sounds much more troubled and raw. “I can’t even know what to say / I've been hurt I've been played / and I'm so ashamed / I can't even cry it's that deep / You just lie and you cheat / Like its nothing.” This is the love-scorched Mariah exorcising her demons.
Mariah’s That Chick
Stand-out dance tracks “O.C.O”, and “I’m That Chick” show a more confident Carey. The latter’s retro groove dishes up 70’s flavored fun with one of the most relaxed choruses Carey has ever sung: “La da da ooh we-ee / I'm that chick you like”.
“Hero” Mariah Carey closes the album with a couple of ballads. Second single “Bye Bye” a tale of losing someone dear, tugs at the heartstrings without becoming nauseating, a feat Carey has had trouble with in the past.
Meanwhile “I Wish You Well”, a gospel-influenced ballad, sounds out of place next to the rest of the album. Taken on its own, the song offers a powerful message and a beautiful delivery, soulful without going over the top, but it just doesn’t gel with the rest of the album.
Sonically, Mariah Carey doesn’t break any new ground, but rather secures her place alongside Madonna as a female superstar reclaiming the charts.
