Mariah Carey: Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel (2009)
Welcome back everyone, today we are
going to continue with Mariah Carey’s album cycle with album #12 Memoirs of an
Imperfect Angel. For the first time since Music Box, I have little or nothing
leading up to this album. I guess after MC2 didn’t do the same critically or
commercially as Mimi did, she quickly jumped back into the studio to work on a
new album. Should note that from here on out we are entering late period Mariah
where things cool down for her musically and critically.
Mariah Carey “Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel”
1.
Betcha Gon' Know (The Prologue): I intentionally
thought about skipping this song because I saw the word prologue, I thought it
was going to be a regular intro. But it’s not so that why we are here. This is
an infidelity song Mariah finding her man cheating on her with an unclothed
woman and threatening to expose him. I want to say this was a weird choice
to open up the album. Sure we got the illusion involving the intro where she
says welcome to a day of my life, The memoirs of an imperfect angel but it
still feel like an odd choice for an opener. The song itself is not bad, very
weirdly placed on the album. All I’ll say (DECENT)
2.
Obsessed: This is where the sequel to the whole
Eminem and Mariah beef comes and because Eminem decided to revive the rivalry.
In 2008, we all know Mariah Carey married Nick Cannon and Em decided to call
them out on the song Bagpipes from Bagdad, not going to go on the basis of the
song as this is not the video for it. Mariah decided to respond with Obsessed
saying that Eminem (she doesn’t mention by name but c’mon we all who she’s
talking about). She clearly states that Eminem constantly talks about how much
he misses Mariah in his songs, how he lied about texting Mariah and those are
decent claims. But I do have problems and most didn’t have to do with the songs
itself. 1) the remix features Gucci Mane, I’m never a fan on having features on
diss songs because what does Gucci have to do with anything. 2) The aftermath
is what soured this song because Eminem dropped “The Warning” where he goes
full sadistic on Mariah & Nick and Nick responded with “I’m a Slick Rick”. So
yeah, Mariah lost this battle (DECENT)
3.
H.A.T.E.U.: This is a song about a broken
relationship, yet again but this one is different. This one comes off very
toxic, she can’t wait to hate you? It comes off as if Mariah is embracing the
negative side of the relationship instead of the positives. Not to mention, I’m
not too crazy with her lower register in pre-chorus. I would say the slow burn
production does give this some quality but this is one where I won’t go back
to, even if it’s a fan favorite.
4.
Candy Bling: This song interpolates Back in the
Day by Ahmad and I wish this one was better. For one the title has a backstory
because it was rumored that Nick Cannon proposed to Mariah with a Ring Pop. Next
she only said the word Candy Bling in the end of the first verse, on song where
she reminisces about the good ol days. But in the bridge she mentions Muhammad
Ali, late ODB, her pet dog that died some time in the decade, Doug E Fresh. The
song just leaves you confused and weird, sure the song has a chill vibe but what
she does with it was underwhelming.
5.
Ribbon: Produced by The Dream and it’s another
song that doesn’t move the needle for me and I can boil this down due to the
production as it’s drowning out Mariah. As a result, she doesn’t stand out here
either. Its another “longing for your lover in the past, even though you have
moved on” song, again she is moved on. Yeah bad production, repetivive subject
matter would leave to a skippable song (BAD).
6.
Inseparable: Slow start for this album, and I
need something to reel me in and this one does. The Dream this time doesn’t
have the production drown out, it’s gentle and borderline We Belong
Together-esc. Content is the same tired theme but Mariah at least sounds good
as does the production. So leave the subject matter, but take whatever left.
I’ll take what I can get (GOOD)
7.
Standing O: It’s another song that gives me
little to feel. It appears that it she’s giving her partner a standing ovation
for messing up in the relationship. I think it’s the chorus that kind of loses
it for me, not as strong as I thought it could be, could be interpolated as an
anthem for women who have to put up for loser boyfriends. Other than that the rest
of the song is decent. Maybe this song isn’t for me for understand for those
who stand by for their beliefs.
8. It's A Wrap: Was a fan favorite for many lambs and I understand why. It’s a breakup song where Mariah might’ve been drinking, her vocals sounds like she had too many day wines. And for this song it works in her favor vocally. Should be noted that she included this in her next album as a bonus track. I am fully aware that this song went viral in 2023 and was given a late single release. It was well deserved, a fun slow jam and deserve all the attention. (AMAZING)
9.
Up Out My Face: Before I talk about this song,
let’s say this is another song where outside forces prevent me from liking a
song. Let me explain, the remix featured Nicki Minaj and they were cordial for
now. That was until both women got on American Idol and that season was more
known for their antics, I bet none of you can name who won that season. That’s
the reason why I can’t listen to the song the same. Now the song itself, it’s
not a breakup but moreso a playful rejection. This was another speculated song
about Eminem but the jab was minor compared to her other works. As is, again
the song itself is fine but outside forces would prevent me to go back to this.
10.
Up Out My Face (The Reprise) (N/A)
11.
More Than Just Friends: Production is the
biggest problem here, song starts off with this scream for some reason. Also
the second verse where Mariah says she’s feenin like McDonalds fries, want to
be on your lips like gelato, or you can pluck me like a cello. The rhyme scheme
in the second verse was too basic. So It’s my luck that we have another fan
favorite that doesn’t work for me.
12.
The Impossible: is a slow jam where Mariah meets
this guy and makes Mariah to fall in love. She thought is was borderline
impossible as she been spurned in the past. Then things get intimate as they
bump to Forever My Lady by Jodeci. That bridge takes away from the song a
little bit but not as bad as some of her previous songs. In conclusion, it was
a good slow jam don’t mind it. (GOOD)
13.
The Impossible (The Reprise) (N/A)
14.
Angel (The Prelude) (N/A)
15.
Angels Cry: It’s another longing for your
partner song but I think this is one the vocal standouts of the album. I don’t
have much to say, it’s one time the repetitive theme didn’t bother me. I can
call this a great song. (AMAZING)
16.
Languishing (The Interlude) (N/A)
17. I Want To Know What Love Is: Final song on the album and it’s covering the classic originally sung by Foreigner. Know the rules, with cover songs I am forbidden to talk about the content instead see if this is able to match the original. Sadly, it doesn’t. But I’m not going to say it’s a bad cover. It’s an emphasizes the piano and added a beat to make it commercial friendly and it adds the Mariah Carey chorus. Another difference is that while this one has a key change that doesn’t fumble too bad and I feel like this song is shorter than the original. While I don’t think it’s the greatest cover, I think it does the job, fine enough to end the album. (GOOD)
Final Thoughts: Man this one was a long one to get through and by the time I finished recording
and writing this review, I had little to say about it in the intro. This let me
know that there isn’t much leading up nor have anything here. This album is no
different, just like I said about MC2, this album has a lot of filler and not
too many standout moments. So yeah another 6/10 ranking, is this what late
career albums feel like. Next album is Merry Christmas II You, but I am not
reviewing this album (yet) so I guess is time to find out what a chanteuse is.
Best Songs: Inseparable, It’s A
Wrap, Angels Cry
Worst Songs: Ribbon, the interludes
& preludes
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