Emancipation of Mimi [LIMITED EDITION]

Mariah Carey

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 12, 2005)
• Original Release Date: April 12, 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Limited Edition
• Label: Island
• ASIN: B0007Y4USW
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (146 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #128,595 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Early buzz on The Emancipation of Mimi had it that this would be the disc to mark "the return of the voice"—the voice being that glass-shattering instrument that propelled Carey to best-selling female artist of all time status—and mostly it is. But because of the small army of talent involved in its assembly, it's also way more than that. For straight-ahead, look-out-Beyonce-Mimi's-still-got-it reinforcement, try "Mine Again," a ‘70s-soul cuddle-up, "Circles," a soaring, don't-attempt-this-on-American-Idol love song, the gospel dazzler "Fly Like a Bird," and "Stay the Night." But for songs that steer this disc directly into 2005, no looking back, scan the jewel case for the tracks followed by the word "featuring": "To the Floor," with Nelly, bumps along to maximum booty-shaking effect, while Twista spins his natural-disaster-force vocal into "One and Only." Snoop Dogg, Pharrell Williams, and Jermaine Dupri also pitch in; between them and the highwire vocals, Emancipation works the kind of pure-pop magic that sets us all free. --Tammy La Gorce—this text refers to the standard edition.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

61 of 67 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Greatest Comeback Story of Our Time, April 24, 2005

By	Rudy Palma "The Writing Fiend" (NJ) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

A solid collection of soulful ballads, heady r&b and addictive pop, Mariah Carey's "The Emancipation of Mimi" is by far the most viable release of her career. Her first to hit the summit of the Billboard albums chart since 1997's powerful "Butterfly," each of its fourteen tracks is an undisputed home run, marking new territory for the songbird while keeping true to what she has made her name with.

With the autobiographical "It's Like That" finally losing airplay power, the confessional "We Belong Together" has already usurped its place. However, the potential hits are limitless. Fine examples are "Stay the Night," which will have fans swooning at her pristine vocals, and the Neptunes-produced "Say Somethin'," which floats serenely, save for smart machine gun-style drumming that buoys the melody.

The singer/songwriter also articulates extreme insecurity with the likes of "I Wish You Knew" and "Circles," the latter of which would frighten American Idol contenders:

"Saturday I saw you/Holding hands with someone new/Somehow I kept my composure/Just like everything was cool/But inside I kept repeating/Don't you let them see you cry/So I casually turned my head/As the tears rolled down my eyes."

The bittersweet "Mine Again" finds Carey yearning to rekindle an old flame:

"I just can't accept the possibility/We weren't made for each other's arms/I know you're my destiny."

The ultimate highlight of the album, however, comes with the closing "Fly Like a Bird," an outstanding testament to the artist's faith in God which can be heard on gospel radio:

"Fly like a bird/Take to the sky/I need you now Lord/Carry me high/Don't let the world break me tonight/I need the strength of You by my side/Sometimes this life can be so cold/I pray You'll come and carry me home."

Further highlights include "To the Floor," a sizzling collaboration with Nelly, a humorous jibe at an ex with "Shake It Off," and the fun-loving "Your Girl," where the songstress confirms herself the only who could sing about putting "those naughty thoughts into your mind" and come off sounding absolutely adorable.

With "The Emancipation of Mimi," Carey has the hottest album of her storied career on her hands. For the greatest comeback story of our time, look no further.

The limited edition version includes better artwork, a digipak case and a fold-out poster with lyrics on the opposite side.

52 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE VOICE, April 12, 2005

By	Marta Maslowska "HeavenSent" (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

***Great Item to Own for Mariah Fans***
Mariah's new CD is out with a bang. There is something for everyone on this CD. Mariah's sounds great and hits all the notes with perfection. One of the only singers these days who sounds as good live as she does on the CD. PLUS she writes most of her songs.

1. It's Like That - The first single of the CD, that's hot and fresh with a great video. "It's a special occasion, Mimi's emancipation...." lyrics prove why this is the first single. The REMIX of this is HOT with Fat Joe, done with a "Lean Back" edge to it.

2. We Belong Together - Second single and one of the most beautiful ballads Mariah has ever made.

3. Shake It Off - A very hip cut, similar to Breakdown with Mariah singing in a uptempo beat. Very catchy hook "...shake shake shake it off" will make you want to Shake it.

4. Mine Again - Another ballad, very soulful. Great vocals, in a style of My All.

5. Say Somethin' featuring Snoop Dogg - Great song, fantastic beats. Snoop is ever-so cool sounding. Should be a single.

6. Stay The Night - A cool, jazzy type of song. Great music, and beutiful words.

7. Get Your Number featuring Jermaine Dupri - One of the hottest songs on the CD. Uptempo, great to dance to. Nelly delivers some great lines from the hook.

8. One And Only featuring Twista - Hot, Hot, Hot. Mariah and Twista make a great duet in this one. Tounge Twistin Mariah.

9. Circles - Very classic Mariah. Beautiful song where Mariah shows off her range. Nice steppin' tempo.

10. Your Girl - Somewhat similar to Boy from Charmbracelet, but also classis Mariah.

11. I Wish You Knew - An uptempo ballad. Mariah sings in a soft but powerful way. Great beat. Classic Mariah.

12. To The Floor featuring Nelly - Produced by the Neptunes. Cool hip beat. Definitely will bring the crowd down at the clubs.

13. Joy Ride - A soft ballad very reminiscent of her Butterfly days.

14. Fly Like A Bird - Similar to Subtle Invitation. Beautiful song. The percussion and the chorus, give it a gospel edge. Mariah hits those wonderful high notes.


***Check out Mariah's beautiful vocals on VH1 at the Save the Music Concert.***

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love this cover and I love the contents even more!, April 29, 2005

By	Miss Parker "RitaLee" (Arima, Trinidad) - See all my reviews

Mariah Carey/MC/Mimi shines on this outstanding album which deserves a Grammy. I have been listening non-stop to The Emancipation of Mimi since I received it and I am not tired of it! Her voice is amazing, the lyrics are catchy and the rhythms enticing. I must say I'm not a fan of many rap collabos but I am enjoying all the collabos on this album. Even the bleeps where the green verbs are on "One and only" have not thrown me off because the song is so emotionally expressive that I just enjoy it completely! MC is at her expressive best on this album, which is also a little bit tongue-in-cheek and funny! And her vocals are just...Wow! I love this album so much it will be another one of MC's album that I buy in duplicate, the first one since Daydream. All but one of the songs are about love, falling in love, being cheated on, being afraid to confess love etc but who cares whether you can relate?! I wish these songs spoke about my life but I'm glad at least some of them don't! I still love to sing them out loud though! Fly Like a Bird is the beautiful exception to all the love songs but you will start loving gospel if you didn't before with MC leading the way to higher heights! Get this album today, it is a keeper!