E=MC2: A Review of Some Sort

Some might say the last person on earth should ever review any Mariah Carey’s work is…err.. me. OK. I get it, I might not be the most qualified, bias-free, most objective reviewer around and the fact that I had been harassing our local music stores for her new CD for the past couple of months does not help either.

But oh well….here it goes anyway.

After the success of 2005’s “The Emancipation of Mimi”and a monster weepy hit comeback single “We Belong Together”, Mariah seems to have even more to mope about on this follow up with tracks like 'I Stay in Love', 'Last Kiss' and 'Bye Bye' but at the same time she didn't disappoint at all in a crazy beat department – ‘Migrate’, ‘I’m That Chick’, ‘Cruise Control’, ‘O.O.C’. The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter-producer comes off either like a chameleon (with a toned body) or a magician (in a better outfit) throughout this ‘secret rendezvous’. There's always ‘surprises’ for everyone.

So how does each track fair on it own?

1. Migrate
In this opener Mariah decided to cut loose – a beat-crazy track that turns up the fun and the funk. I guess it was an OK track but it’s no way as classic as her previous club thumper i.e Fantasy, Dreamlover, Honey.

2. Touch My Body
On the contagious first single, “Touch My Body”, Mariah engages in a sexy, near-offensive tease that easily will make anyone forget she used to sing ‘I’ll be there’ with her leather jacket on. Truth, I didn’t jump out of my chair the first time I listen to it. It so un-Mariah, it’s so out of character for her but it started to grow on me.

3. Cruise Control
Mariah and Damian are taking turns on the mike as the music shifts from raggae tinged hip hop to 80s inspired R&B pop. Definitely one of my favourite.

4. I Stay in Love
One of my MOST favorite tracks in the album. Simply smashing. I cried the first time I hear it, (and few other times after that). This is classic Mariah and if this is not out as a single soon, the world will be deprived - badly.

5. Side Effects
This one supposed to be Mariah’s most personal tune, but I don’t get it. Wait…na’ah…still don’t.

6. I’m That Chick
Other disco tracks don’t do much for me (hello, Kylie) but this one suprisingly rocks!. I suspect it would be one of many singles churn out off this album.

7. Love Story
Don’t care about it. Too generic. Skippable

8. I’ll Be Lovin’ U Long Time
Definitely not one of the worst tracks in this album and I like it because it has some 80’s R&B vibe about it. It reminds me of one of Whitney’s earlier hits. Kinda like it really.

9. Last Kiss
My advice: Listening to this gem is better for anyone going through a break up than a pint of Haagen-Dazs. Sound even better when you’re majorly bummed out. Since that smashing something single ‘We Belong Together’, the magic of Mariah and JD continues here and the two prove unlikely kindred spirits. With his assorted bag of tricks – the trippy rhythms, the spacey beat and her silky stuttery vocal technique, they feed off each other brilliantly. LOVE IT! LOVE IT! LOVE IT!

10. Thanx 4 Nothin’
This is nice but otherwise bland track. Maybe I’ll get back to this one later.

11. O.O.C
Another fast, cheeky track off E=MC2. Manage to accomplish what it was set out to be to. Loove it.

12. For The Record
Doesn't do anything much for me. Just a filler. Something I can do without.

13. Bye Bye
This second destined-to-be smashing second single has all the makings of a career- defining track for Mariah. It has universal appeal, great hook and anthem-like message. Not a second I have doubt that this one is gonna be huge. Bet on it.

14. I Wish You Well
The disc comes to a meditative,melancholy , gospel tinged, piano driven end which is tailor made for chilling out after all the clubbing is done. Those people who can’t seem to move on and still love ‘the old Mariah’, sweat no more, this will definitely make you happy. Cheer on, the ‘voice’ is back.

Rest assured, E=Mc2 has enough hit singles to last till next two years. Mariah will be around a loong time just as much the equation goes.

I don't do stars, but this one deserves a constellation of that shiny ones.