Reviewed May 05, 2008
Mariah Carey E=MC2
by Ron Hollywood

Produced by Mariah Carey (executive), L.A. Reid (executive), Bryan-Michael Cox, Danja, DJ Toomp, Jermaine Dupri, James Poyser, Swizz Beatz, The-Dream, Tricky Stewart, Scott Storch, Stargate

After the massive comeback success of The Emancipation of Mimi Mariah must truly feel free because she has wasted no time in following it up with E=MC2. This is a record that mirrors her last pretty closely. Seems Mariah decided to work with what formula worked best for her.

I was getting nervous about not liking this record after the first two songs leaving me unimpressed and yes that even includes the single Touch My Body. Even though she’s now surpassed Elvis with the more number one singles I feel it’s one of her worst singles and a cheesy video to go with it. Then all of a sudden song after song had my foot tapping or quickly humming along especially with the brilliant upbeat summer feel of I’ll Be Lovin’ U Long Time or the reggae duet with Damian Marley on Cruise Control. Both songs are good enough to be number one singles themselves. Lyrically Mariah opens up more personally with lyrics about her past relationship with Tommy Mottola “I was a girl, you was a man / I was too young to understand / I was naive, I just believed / Everything that you told me / Said you were strong, protecting me / Then I found out that you were weak / Keepin’ me there, under your thumb / Cause you were scared that I’d become much more than you could handle… I finally built up the strength to walk away / Don’t regret it but I still live with the side effects”.

Of course Mariah does what she does best herself on the ballads. Giving us her sultry breathy and high range vocals all about love, heartache and sexiness. I Stay In Love is very similiar to We Belong Together. And Love Song is typical Mariah all the way.

Even filler like_Thanx 4 Nothin_ or Last Kiss are just a bit below average. however after reaching great highs the album starts losing it’s momentum. O.O.C. is supposed to be some kind of party song but she’s singing as if it’s a ballad. One ballad after another starts to get real slow. The final song is a gospel tinged ballad with some of her best vocal work (on this record at least) and plenty of comments from the Bible. Overall I think this is a better album than Emancipation of Mimi.

1. “Migrate” (featuring T-Pain) 4:18
2. “Touch My Body” 3:25
3. “Cruise Control” (featuring Damian Marley) 3:33
4. “I Stay In Love” 3:32
5. “Side Effects” (featuring Young Jeezy) 4:22
6. “I’m That Chick” 3:31
7. “Love Story” 3:56
8. “I’ll Be Lovin’ U Long Time” 3:01
9. “Last Kiss” 3:36
10. “Thanx 4 Nothin’” 3:05
11. “O.O.C.” 3:26
12. “For the Record” 3:26
13. “Bye Bye” 4:27
14. “I Wish You Well” 4:35

total running time 52:14

Other reviews
Previously: Rolling Stones Shine a Light
Next: Madonna Hard Candy

Your Comments