23/11/09
Mariah Carey - ‘Memoirs of An Imperfect
Angel’
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Time to Shift Another Truck-load
American soul diva and record-breaking artist returns.
Mariah Carey’s career has been one of almost entirely peaks, with very few troths. Having the
luxury of impeccable chart performance, it’s not like she’s got to worry about being dropped?
First effort, ‘Betcha Gon’ Know’ is typical Carey, combining an addictive, subtle hip-hop beat with
ever-advancing vocal power. It’s however on first single, ‘Obsessed’ that we get to witness something unique – a Mariah Carey diss song. Wrote about Eminem’s parodies of their ‘relationship’ on his recent records, it’s styled in soul-meets-hip-hop machismo. It’s interesting that the DJ at the start doesn’t directly quote Mr. Mathers, perhaps as a sign of respect.
The inclusion of ‘H.A.T.E.U.’ as the follow-up, with lyrics like “I can’t wait to hate you/face you/break you” is
interesting too. As it is, this is the third single, a gentle ballad that works
nicely. ‘Candy Bling’ is similar, though possibly more of a chilled-out RnB anthem. This is Carey’s forte and it’s obvious, with the flawless delivery and the smooth groove that this is what
she does best.
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Info
Released - 28/9/09 (US), 22/11/09 (UK)
Label - Island
12th studio album
Links
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‘Ribbon’ is some bizarre rap-pop meander and seems to sample the classic videogame Worms’ “Eey!” jump sound. Whilst I’m sure it’s not, I’m also sure that this is an ill-advised dabble. ‘Inseparable’ is more trademark groove and has a nice bridge, which just isn’t utilised enough. Though probably still a possible single.
It’s time for ‘The Voice’ to sample Auto-Tune during ‘Standing O’, well it had to happen sometime. This track has a decent and
fairly memorable beat, but it just sounds like a cheap trick to appeal to a
bigger market.
Carey goes back to the successful simplistic style techniques of the past with
the gentle-hop of ‘It’s a Wrap’ and this works very well actually. The beauty of this tune is that it doesn’t over-complicate things and benefits from this rawness.
The real problem with this disc is that many of the songs sound similar in
their formation. ‘Up Out of My Face’ is an example of one that doesn’t sound overly different from other piano-led predecessors. That is until the
ridiculous reprise that follows, which is really the final nail in that coffin.
‘More than Just Friends’ is a particularly poor effort that sounds like something released in the 90s
rather than a competitive contemporary classic. ‘The Impossible’ manages to do the quite-possible by sounding pretty damn awful and a waste of
precious disc space (“I love you like cherry wine” indeed).
‘Angels Cry’ is as formulaic as one might expect on this record and the cover of Foreigner
classic, ‘I Want to Know What Love Is’ features Carey breaking glass with her screaming, need I say more?
Key Tracks:
‘Betcha Gon’ Know’
‘h.a.t.e.u.’
‘Inseperable’
‘It’s a Wrap’
Worst Tracks:
‘Obsessed’
‘Candy Bling’
‘Ribbon’
‘I Want to Know What Love Is’
‘Standing O’
‘More than Just Friends’
Verdict
This is a particularly disappointing record. What variation there is doesn’t work especially well and most of the songs would be better serve as an
Insomniacs mix-tape than any sort of memorable album. 4/10 CM
Adam Lambert - ‘For Your Entertainment’
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American Idol 2008’s runner-up and the man who Brian May wanted to replace Freddie Mercury with,
releases his long-awaited debut.
Adam Lambert shot to superstardom through not an unusual route – a TV talent show. However in those weeks, Lambert established himself as one of
the most naturally-talented vocalists the show had ever seen, barely losing out
to eventual winner, Kris Allen.
Opener, ‘Music Again’ is a glam-pop inspired adrenalin pill, written by former Darkness frontman,
Justin Hawkins and it shows. The song is fairly cheesy in its production,
lyrical content and just over-spectacular.
First single and also the title-track has Britney-guru Dr. Luke written all over
it with its souped-up pop tempo. It’s catchy, likeable and full of classic pop charm; the only real criticism can be
is that it doesn’t test Lambert very much.
‘Whataya Want from Me’ has got Pink to thank lyrically and it’s typically brash. If Lambert thought he was going to coast the
record though, that notion is certainly forgotten as it jumps from dark and
moody to euphoric, synth-supported bridge-into-chorus.
Lambert is allowed co-writing contributions on merely four tracks and ‘Strut’ could go down as the best. As much a signature tune for the flamboyant
glam-rocker, it just allows a more distinctive idea of the category of artist
that you knew he could be. Just as ‘Soaked’ draws comparisons with Muse’s Matt Bellamy for sheer vocal prowess. That ridiculously falsetto voice can
also be employed in a classical style and this is a fine example.
‘Sure-Fire Winners’ was probably some ‘winning song’ that’s been adapted electronically and it’s OK, though nothing remarkable. Much better is the fantastically-challenging, ‘A Loaded Smile’ which mixes solemn with classic rock to create a
great offbeat mixture.
The notch is really turned up on ‘If I Had You’, where Lambert proves that Max Martin’s days of creating these tracks just for Kelly Clarkson are well and truly over.
Astonishingly delivered, it flows perfectly. The same is true of Ryan-Tedder’s epic , ‘Sleepwalker’. Impeccably written and more than flawlessly delivered, it’s an essential tune.
Acclaimed producer Greg Wells pulls an electronic rabbit out of his hat for, ‘Pick U Up’ and Lambert’s personal contribution is obvious for all to enjoy too, which is probably what
makes him give that extra 10% here. ‘Fever’ is so laden with Lady GaGa’s probing paws it’s clinical, still what she has given him is a banger of a record.
‘Aftermath’ is a bit too run-of-the-mill to really work for Lambert, whilst ‘Broken Open’ is a bit too muc like the awesome cover of ‘Mad World’ (Tears for Fears) that he performed on Idol. ‘Time for Miracles’ is a tad too wet too.
Key Tracks:
‘For Your Entertainment’
‘Whataya Want From Me?’
‘Strut’
‘Soaked’
‘A Loaded Smile’
‘If I Had You’
‘Pick U Up’
‘Fever’
‘Sleepwalker’
Worst Tracks:
‘Music Again’
‘Sure-Fire Winners’
‘Time for Miracles’
Verdict
What we have here is a record that sounds like its being delivered by a veteran
of the music scene. Whilst I do hope that Lambert is not simply adopting his
sound to the artist’s song, it’s an emphatic debut, that much is obvious. 8.5/10 CM
(c) ChrisOnline.biz 2009
