Customer Reviews

Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel

5 star:		(164)
4 star:		(37)
3 star:		(26)
2 star:		(20)
1 star:		(37)

 

 

OK - so let's clear things up. Is this the best Mariah album of all-time?...probably not, but don't be confused by some negative press, slack first week sales or even first impressions. This is a slow-burning hit! After a few listens you stop obsessing about how this isn't a typical Mariah album and begin to appreciate this as possibly her most cohesive body of work since her debut. This is a superby crafted album, with each story interwoven via interludes and repeated phrases to create a consistent piece of artistic expression. What initially comes across as everything sounding the same - after a couple of listens reveals each song as one chapter (or memoir) in Mariah's love/life story and is exceptional. So it's not the same as everything else she's done - true - and if it had of been would she have been criticized for trying to recreate Mimi?
While some tracks feel more album filler than floor filler - there are some perfectly crafted songs which resonate with warmth, cutting homour, sarcasm and heartbreak - indeed it seems ironic that Mariah would write the best break-up album of her career (with the arguable exception of Butterfly) when she is happily married! Stand-out tracks are "Betcha Gon Know" (possibly the classiest slice of R & B Carey has ever produced), "Obsessed" and it's slightly darker sister track "Standing O", "H.A.T.E.U", "Inseperable", the superb "Up Out My Face" (which is a sure-fire number 1 if marketed correctly) and "Angels Cry" - in my opinion the best Mariah ballad we've heard in years. With every song concentrating on love and heartbreak - the only thing the album lacks is an anthem. Carey's ability to write universal songs of inspiration and reflection such as Make it Happen, Hero, Can't take that away (Mariah's theme), Close My Eyes and so on have often been the tracks that have been most requested and most treasured by her adoring fan base, and the lack of one on "Memoirs" is noticeably absent.
Ultimately - this album may not sell what it deserves to as people may surf the samples once and not re-listen, which would be a great shame. For my money, Mariah has written, sung and co-produced a bravely different album which deserves high-ranking status in her back-catalogue, and once again proves that Carey's platinum voice and under-rated song-writing deserves it's already cemented place in music history.

MY REVIEW ---> 4/5

I will say the album is a grower, the more you listen to it the better it gets. The only song that still hasn't caught on right away is Standing 0, but the rest is flawless.



Mariah spills out her personal perception of the beauty and ugliness of love & relationships. Her lyrics depict relatable stories and captures her frolic personality.

Songs like Ribbon, Impossible, Inseparable, and More Than Just Friends paint a romantic, mushy picture of falling in love.

However the following moody songs lie in complete contrast: Betcha U Gonna Know and H.A.T.E U delineates the tough process of heartbreak, betrayal, and bitterness when love goes wrong.

Fun, sassy songs like It's A Wrap, Obsessed, Up Out My Face, and Standing 0 take sardonic shots at the person on the other end of the relationship.

Candy Bling, Angels Cry and Languishing are played as beautiful melodies, yet tainted with lingering sadness as each song exposes fear, emotional memories, and reminscent love stories.

Lastly the main theme of the album ends off with Mariah's own soft-powerful interpetation of the song I Want To Know What Love Is Throughout the album love came and left soon after. Her desperate plea to understand what love is, it rather appropriate for this album (despite the criticism)

I love Memoirs of An Imperfect Angel. I feel that many songs have grown on me as with any new album. I also feel that she could have done without The Dream & Tricky Stewart on a few songs but they are what's hot now. I know people who initially hated the album but after a few more listens they are loving the songs. The "90s" Mariah is gone so get over it and stop making that a reason to HATE the album. People grow and CHANGE with the times. Current favorite songs:
1. Betcha Gon Know
2. Candy Bling
3. Ribbon
4. Standing O
5. It's A Wrap
6. Inseparable
7. Up Out My Face
8. The Impossible
9. Languishing (This grows on me more and more.)

I just can't believe true Mariah fans can't find at least one song they love on this album.

This will be short and to the point. This new album is the best Mariah album since Butterfly! When I heard the samples, I really felt like I was back in the 90's and I haven't been so excited for a Mariah album since the Butterfly album! Any fan of Mariah's 90's stuff, especially Butterfly, has no reason whatsoever to put this album down! It really is a Butterfly part 2!! Just forget all her albums since then, not that I don't love all her albums but this is so much better than all her albums after Butterfly!!

What really stands out here is the music itself has so many different sounds like you heard in the 80's and 90's!! Also, Mariah's 90's vocals are back finally on this album!! Meaning she doesn't sound forced and she lets her voice sing more naturally that she hasn't done in so long. The high notes especially sound so awesome and magical like you heard in the 90's, like especially on the Butterfly album!! I just cannot believe how awesome this album is!! Any Mariah fan should totally fall in love with it!! There's NO reason whatsoever to bash it or say it's less than what she can do. I can hear she put 200% into this!!

BUY IT NOW!!!

Mariah Carey made a strange album...
Like everything, you have people who like and people who don't like. But I think all of you can appreciate this album or an part of it. You passing to a melancolic song to an rythmmic and R&B song.
In my opinion the power of this album is : the diversity.
It appear like an uncommercial album and really more personal. Some review critic it, but this is the diversity which disapointed the reviewer. They don't have habit ? Or their own opinion on the "Diva" Carey ?

To sum up, I don't say this is her best album of all the time, but it is very cool and nice for the long winter night or just when you feel sad and you want to comforted you with a music.

For the end, my top :
#1 - It's A Wrap
#2 - H.A.T.E.U.
#3 - Betcha Gon' Know
#4 - Up Out My Face
#5 - Sanding O & Candy Bling (^^)

Bye !

Here's why I love Mariah Carey's music: First and foremost, the role she plays in creating the music. She does not lay back and let other people write her songs for her. She writes 90% of her material and has from day one. There is a reason that not many people cover any of Mariah's songs. No one can do them justice the way she can. Yes there are other singers with range like hers and maybe they can even go as high in octaves as she can, but there really is no one JUST like her. From stepping on the scene when she was nearly 18 years old and to be still going this strong at nearly 40 says something. She has always played an active part in the creative process. The songs are truly HERS. While not possessing a 'perfect' discography (ahem, glitter? charmbracelet?) there's still no denying that Mariah's talent is immense and she's not going anywhere anytime soon.

'Memoirs' is like a throwback to really great, classic r&b records of back in the day. I can't really compare it to any of Mariah's other albums because its something different. Mariah's voice has gotten this almost smoky quality to it that surely can only come from age. This isn't a bad thing at all though. It gives the songs this extra sultry, alluring layer...I almost like it even more now than back when it was the ultra pristine Voice singing Vision of Love and Someday and Butterfly even. She has really come into her own on this new album.

Do yourself a favor and listen to it from start to finish, as its meant to be. Mariah herself has said that this album is more "story-like" than any of her others-- she's also said that it is her most personal and honest album to date.

Before listening to this, I scanned the track list names and was kind of skeptical...the actual song titles being kind of silly/cheesy at times. I looked at them and was almost expecting the worst, y'know like some obnoxious rap-collaboration that totally doesn't showcase Mariah's voice and songwriting. I was very pleasantly surprised when this didn't happen. So don't let the titles discourage you.

If I had to just use key words to sum this release up, I would say this: Smoothe, sultry, clever, original, catchy.

I absolutely love this new album, and I hope it gets the appreciation it deserves. Mariah's "in love for the first time" as she has said, and it shows. A happy Mariah equals sublime music.

Highlights: Betcha Gon Know- Mariah witnesses the ultimate betrayal and plots her revenge--"Betcha gon know how it feels/When I get you back / Betcha gon know how it feels/When your heart's been cracked/Betcha gon know how it feels/When we Fade to Black/...And you see your whole world collapse.../I'm a La-la-la-la-laugh", H.A.T.E.U, which stands for "Having a Typical Emotional Upset", is a slow and sultry ballad that's extremely addictive and trance like. The music/beats are reminiscent of Ciara's hit "Promise", but the lyrics and sentiment are completely different. "I can't wait to hate you/Make you pain like I do". Obsessed has funny lyrics and a ridiculously catchy chorus-- "Got you All fired up with your Napolean complex/See right through you like your bathin' in Windex", "I'm a press conference/You a conversation/You a Mom&Pop/I'm a corporation". In Standing O, Mariah mocks a shady ex "You played the one that loved you the most/So here's your Standing O". There are several others I could quote but you get the idea. All in all I would give it a B+.

(Note: Die hard Mariah fans will definitely want to buy the physical copy and not just iTune this cd. The album packaging itself is beautiful and has a really cute "mini magazine" in place of actual liner notes. There's lots of little personal Mariah tidbits sprinkled on the pages, and on the actual inside casing there are pictures of Mariah 'back in the day' side by side current 'Memoirs 2009' photos...she recreated 3 of her most famous photos, and it's really cool to see as a big MC fan.)

This is why I buy everyone of Mariah's CDs without hesitation: Because they are amazing. This CD is so inspirational and has such a positive message inside the lyrics. I have listened to it over and over and everytime I get something new to think about and be encouraged about. That is ART!


She is such a talented writer. She writes her lyrics to encourage women world wide. Some of the stand out tracks are "Out my Face" which is a break up song. It's upbeat and perky and very catchy. It makes you want to yell out, "OUT MY FACE."

"Standing O" is another song that has completely turned around my perspective about relationships. The message of this song, suggests that if someone is going to cut off their nose to spite their face, they are such a fool that they deserve a standing ovation just to reiterate how dumb they are. This is a great break up song if you have ever been hurt in a relationship, you will love this song if you listen to the lyrics. And everyone has! That is why Mariah is one of the most sucessful artists in the industry. Because her songs everyone can relate to, everyone can get something positive from the lyrics.

Her voice is impeccable. Through all her struggles, Mariah has come out on top because her her beautiful and postive attitude and it's embedded into her music. If you are debating whether or not to buy "Memoirs of an imperfect Angel" I would highly recommend it. It has a great amount of tracks, heart and soul poured into it, and is inspirational. Her cover of "What Love Is" alone is outstanding. Other tracks that could be fillers on an album, are not only fillers. All her songs could stand on their own consistently. A++ Mariah for another album that is personal, reflective, and a hit.

I highly understand why people would not like this album and i understand why people love it. Its all a preference. Mariah can still sing very well according to the her vegas trip. But anyways the album is good. Yes a lot of whisper but i happen to like that style of singing. Do i prefer it than the belt? no. But i also dont prefer the belt over the whisper. I just like them both. Its just a style guys and another music idea. It fits with this album. At least she is not FALSETTO! LORD THEN WE ALL SHOULD COMPLAIN! Her style and technique she uses is amazing. I really like that lyrics more than anything. I feel what she is sayin. Hey and if you guys really feel like she cant sing she is still better than a good bunch of artist out there. Just look her up on youtube vegas concert. That will keep ya silent.

September 29th, 2009

Mariah's 12th studio album Memoirs Of An Imperfect Angel is a slight grower. You might not love it initially but at the very least some tracks will grow on you if you have liked any of the recent work she's done with Island Def Jam.

Is this her best release? Not by a mile. That title belongs to Daydream (1995). But every track has something to add to the collection and flows very easily into the next. The lyrics on the album are OK to occasionally great (see "H.A.T.E.U." and "Angels Cry"). For modern Mariah nothing is bad, nor should you be surprised by any of the content.

My favorite track here by far is "Angels Cry" which is towards the end of the disc. The song is a piano-woven ballad with a backbeat and vulnerable lyrics like we're used to from Mariah. I could see this being on a future greatest hits collection for sure. The surprising "Betcha Gon Know (The Prologue) shows the darkest side I've probably seen in Mariah. It provides an excellent, descriptive opener but isn't completely what this mainly love-themed album is about. Other standouts include the highly anticipated "H.A.T.E.U." which is one of the few ballads on the album (and is one of the best), the stomping "Standing O", the lush "Languishing (Interlude)" and the bouncy single "Up Out My Face".

The only problem I have with this disc is that it is almost pure mid-tempos. Mariah goes fast on a few tracks and there are like 4 or 5 ballads. The rest of the tracks are neither slow or fast really, they are at a medium tempo and start to blend after a while. Not that they sound exactly the same but I think that's an issue.

I'm a huge fan of Mariah and expected a lot of this album. I anticipated it for months and months and months after the slight disappointment of E=MC2. The vocals here aren't bad at all and to be fair they are less whispery than they were on Charmbracelet. To all of the ones worried that her voice isn't gonna be the same as it was in the early-mid 90s - it's true, it won't be that good again. And I'm fine with that. Her voice doesn't deter me much at all on this effort (so try not to listen to the haters). There are also a lot of her prized whistle register notes.

4.1 stars.

DOWNLOAD:
Angels Cry
H.A.T.E.U.
Betcha Gon Know (The Prologue)
Standing O
Up Out My Face

update: I expected "Angels Cry" to be epic, and I'm barely disappointed. I've owned this album since its release date (went to Wal-Mart early in the morning) and have listened to it about over 50x through. I've edited this review so many times over that it's getting ridiculous! ;^) If I was to rate it these days, I'd give it a solid 4.1 out of 5 so rest assured who haven't bought it yet. GET IT.

DON'T FORGET TO RATE HELPFUL (OR NOT).

Mariah Carey is perhaps the only artist with a strong presence on Top 40 radio who has (earned) the leverage to write and record whatever she wants, how she wants. Because of this her 12th studio album "Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel" is the product of a double-edged sword - Carey gets disarmingly personal, delightfully lowbrow and places between by sticking to her artistic inclinations, but at the same time she may disenfranchise casual fans who expect her sound to skew the way of previous hits.

There are a handful of roaring, boom box busting tracks such as the increasingly catchy Top 10 hit single "Obsessed" (when she unleashes her voice at the climax she's singing "he's all up in my George Foreman!") and the cheeky, intentionally humorous break-up ode "Up Out My Face" ("If we were two Lego blocks even the Harvard University graduating class of 2010 couldn't put us back together again"). "Ribbon" is also a melodious marvel, with Carey gamely wrapping her throat around its jagged, luscious arrangement.

The great bulk of "Memoirs...," however, skews toward steamy, sauna-warm slow jams with only occasional outbursts of that full-on chest voice of "Hero" and "We Belong Together." The best cut in this vein is the wistful, bittersweet, positively glorious "Candy Bling," which concludes with dazzling, fist-pumping, absolutely heartbreaking high notes. Also radio-bound is the downbeat, vacillating "H.A.T.E.U.," which finds Carey immersed in the stifling ambiguities of post-relationship battle scars. Her aching, genuine vocal performance is the stuff of Grammy nominations.

With deeper tracks like "Standing O," where her vocals swirl and swell amid anxious underpinnings, or the lyrically curious "It's a Wrap," with old school vocal coos and handclaps, it is evident that Carey is not following any formula when she approaches recording albums - "Memoirs..." contrasts greatly with the straightforward R&B and burning hip-hop of last year's "E=MC2" or 70s soul ballads of 2005's "The Emancipation of Mimi." However, this means there is room for missteps such as the adventurous but overloud "More Than Just Friends" and the cotton candy-like "The Impossible," which floats like whipped cream as she tries to craft a slice of genuinely romantic quiet storm to mixed results.

"Angels Cry" reinvigorates the album with its stark arrangement, Carey's voice hanging unadorned in the mix for a wrenching call for a former love to return. It's not single material, but it will satisfy those looking to hear her bust out a powerhouse vocal. So too will her plaintive, soul-searching take on Foreigner's classic "I Want to Know What Love Is." She sculpts the time-tested song into her own creation without compromising the integrity of the original, ending the album on an ambiguous note.

"Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel" finds Carey closing out the 2000s in self-assured, take charge fashion. As time goes by one can sense, to an increasing degree, that she is crafting albums first and foremost to please herself. It doesn't satisfy listeners who long for a return to her people-pleasing days of the early 90s, but it certainly makes her a more interesting artist.