Mariah Carey's The Emancipation of Mimi: The Return of the Voice

After a movie bomb and two barely noticed albums, many people, critics and fans, had written Miss Carey off. Don't get me wrong they had good reasons. The movie Glitter was okay but I wouldn't call it great and the soundtrack was a mess. Charmbracelet, her follow-up to Glitter was a solid album.......except for the vocals. She whispered and used her high pitched wails throughout most of the album which annoyed a lot fans. It also took away from a lot of the songs.

Despite the aforementioned mishaps, it was still ludicrous to write Mariah off. After all she is a Grammy winner, had two diamond albums and several multi-platinum albums. Before 'Mimi' she had 16 number one hits and was even awarded Billboard's Artist of the Decade for the 90's. She has an incredible track record and she hits more than she misses. Well 2005 had the Queen of Billboard showing the naysayers that they were wrong and presumptuous, and she catapulted her self back to the top of the music industry.

'The Emancipation of Mimi' is a very colorful and well thought out album. Mariah takes her listeners on a journey through love, intimacy, heartbreak, spirituality and she even manages a stop or two at the club. The topics on the album are diverse and there is something for everyone whether you spiritual person (Fly Like A Bird) or you just want to get your dance on (It's Like That, Get Your Number). Another great thing about this album is that unlike a few of her recent titles, the special guests fit perfectly and don't come off as forced collaborations.

Track 1: It's Like That (3/5 stars)

When I first heard this song which was the lead single from The Emancipation of Mimi, I thought it was an average song and I still do. I liked the song but was unsure if Mariah was going to reclaim her throne. The smart thing about this song is that it is a club banger and this is the era for club tracks. Another thing to note is that she teams up with Jermaine Dupri which musical match made in heaven. It's like that is basically about having fun and it shows Mariah letting her hair down (something that everyone should be used to by now since her Fantasy came out in the nineties).

Another thing that I liked about the song is that it was a huge contrast to her last lead single, Through the Rain from Charmbracelet. Through the Rain was a pathetic attempt to show that she had risen above the gossip and the drama from her Glitter fiasco and her breakdown. The problem is, it's apparent that the drama got to her or she wouldn't have wrote a song about it. It's Like That would have been the perfect single to release after the Glitter misfortune because it shows Mimi with an "I don't care" attitude.

Track 2: We Belong Together (5/5)

This is quite possibly the best song of Mariah's career. The follow up to It's Like That, the song was released about two months before the album and upon first listen, I knew 'Mimi' would soar to the top of the charts. This song spent 14 weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 making it her 17th number one. She also won a Grammy for the song (as well as two more) a treat she hadn't enjoyed since earning her first two Grammy's for work on her debut album.

The song finds Mimi lamenting over a lost lover with such angst that anyone who's been in her shoes can definitely feel the pain she's going through. Some of the noteworthy moments on this track is the reference to the Bobby Womack song "If You Think You're Lonely Now" and the moving long note at the end of the song that just leaves you wanting an encore. I have always enjoyed Jermaine Dupri produced ballads because of the quiet storm sounds he places over catchy beats and I must say this is one of his stellar moments. Everything about this song, from the vocals, the lyrics, the melody and the music is just on point and I wouldn't change a thing about it.

Track 3: Shake It Off (2.5/5)

Despite it's success, I am not that fond of this track. It did however earn Mariah a number two spot on Billboard and it even reached number one on the airplay charts. The song reminds me of Confessions although not nearly as good. It's another carefree song about Mariah "shaking" off a lover. What kills the song for me is too much of her whispery vocals.

Track 4: Mine Again (2.5/5)

This track has an old school vibe to it and it's not just because Mariah is belting out her vocals like in her earlier days. The music and melody have an old school vibe as well. I think the song is mediocre and the only thing that saved it was the vocals and the lyrics. Without the big vocals it would be skip material.

Track 5: Say Somethin' featuring Snoop Dogg (2/5)

I was expecting big things from this track when I heard that it was produced by the Neptunes and that it was a collaboration between Mariah and Snoop Dogg. The song however is very bland and what's surprising is that it was almost released as the first single. The only redeeming quality about this song is the remix produced by Jermaine Dupri. Okay maybe I am being a little too harsh. The song is okay but it definitely could have been better. The production is actually the main reason that song isn't as good as it could have been.

Track 6: Stay the Night (5/5)

This Kanye West produced track is the second best song on the album after We Belong Together. This song finds Mariah working with the master of old school/ new school fusion and thats the vibe you get with this song. Everything from the lyrics, the strong vocals, and the music is on point. In this song Mariah's lover is asking her to stay the night so they can keep each other warm. This is the perfect song to cozy up to that special someone while sitting by a fire.

Track 7: Get Your Number featuring Jermaine Dupri (4.5/5)

This is probably the most fun track on the album. Nothing really stands out about the track but it does have slick production and playful lyrics. The song finds Mariah and JD at the club with JD trying to get her number. JD also switches places with Mariah when she raps a little and he sings the chorus.

Track 8: One and Only featuring Twista (4/5)

Mariah and Twista have very good chemistry and it shows on this track. Mariah picks up an old singing style reminiscent of Breakdown and it fits the song well. Twista's lyrics and flow are on point as well. Again nothing really noteworthy about the track, but it was well put together.

Track 9: Circles (4.5/5)

This song has some of the best lyrics on the album and some of the best vocals too. In it Mariah is in pain over losing her lover and she's just going around in circles trying to hide the pain. If you are into old school r&b or neo-sou,l you will probably like this song.

Track 10: Your Girl (3.5/5)

This song has some very good vocals on it but the main problem is the song is too short. Just as you start to really get into the song, it abruptly stops at the end of the third chorus. Despite that flaw, the song is still a great song and it shows a bold Mariah who is going to make sure that the man she likes will be with her.

Track 11: I Wish You Knew (1.5/5)

This is by far the worst song on the The Emancipation of Mimi. It's the only song I don't like to some degree. It's boring bland and not even Mariah's powerful vocals at the end can keep me from falling to sleep when listening to this song.

Track 12: To The Floor featuring Nelly (5/5)

Okay, I know my rating for this song may seem odd to those who have heard the album because so many people don't like this song. I can't figure out why because I think it's good song and I think the Neptunes redeemed themselves from Say Something in this track. I like how Mariah goes back and forth with Nelly and I think they had a successful collaboration.

Track 13: Joy Ride (4.5/5)

This is another ballad with an old school vibe and amazing vocals. This song stands out for me because it reminds me of an earlier song called Bliss on Mariah's Rainbow album. It also has what I consider to be the second best note on the album after the end note on We Belong Together and that's the long note she holds on the last chorus before she ends the song.

Track 14: (3/5)

I used to hate this song when I first heard it even though it has probably the best lyrics on The Emancipation of Mimi. The music can come off as bland and she uses her whisper vocals ineffectively on this track. However, the bridge to the end of the song is probably one of the best vocal pieces I have heard from Mariah in a long time. The Grammy performance of this song made me appreciate the song even more.

Track 15: Don't Forget About Us (5/5)

There is not much to say about this song because except that it is a cross between Breakdown, We Belong Together, Always Be My Baby and Can't Let Go all rolled up into one. With that being said you can see why it's a good song.

Track 16: Makin It Last All Night (What It Do) featuring Jermain Dupri (4.5/5)

This track finds Mariah talking about something she rarely mentions and that is sex. It has a very strong and infectious beat and it's a great club banger. I also like that the song references one of my favorite songs of all time and that is Jodeci's Freak N You.

Track 17: So Lonely (One & Only Part II) Mariah Carey & Twista (4.5/5)

This is a follow up to One & Only and it further proves that Mariah and Twista make a great team. The vocals are also great even though MC is using her whispery voice. The only drawback is that I actually enjoy the version on Twista's album better because of the third verse he has on his version.

Track 18: We Belong Together remix (3.5/5)

I thought this was decent remix but it could have been better. O

All in all, I enjoyed the album and I think it's great to know that a 15 year veteran can still create exceptional music. This is must have for anyone who enjoys r&b or pop music and you won't be disappointed. This album has placed Mariah back where she deserves to be and it proves that why she is the most successful female artist of all time.

The Emancipation of Mimi (4 out of 5 stars)

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