Sunday 20 October 2002

Clash of the titans

With CD sales slumping, the music industry hopes a slew of new albums from big-time stars will make some noise.

IN THIS CORNER Whitney Houston, the one-time queen of pop, defined the '80s and early '90s with big ballads and chipper dance numbers. In recent years, Houston crossed back to the groovy side of the street with the multi-platinum "My Love Is Your Love", a sign Whit still knows how to get down. Shoulda-been winners on her greatest hits album got fumbled during an Arista Records coup. However, her current career limbo comes from tabloid rumors about drugs and her marriage to Bobby Brown that she never seems to explain away and a string of high-profile no-shows that turned her into "Whitney Houston, we have a problem". ("Just Whitney", Nov. 5)

OPENING SALVO "Whatchulookinat", a danceable, anti-media screed that sounds dated and forgets to use Houston's amazing voice. The Houston-written, Brown-produced track was a nonstarter on radio, likely forcing Arista to find another single soon.

IN THAT CORNER Mariah Carey once seemed unstoppable. The Huntington native is the reigning queen of the pop charts with 15 No. 1 singles - behind only The Beatles (with 20) and Elvis Presley (18). Then, Carey split from her past, embraced skimpy outfits that make micro-minis seem dowdy and swapped her big ballads for rhythm-heavy tracks that turn her from center-stage diva to bit-part coquette. Her unceremonious exit from Virgin Records last year was due more to internal politics than poor performance, though her lackluster "Glitter" soundtrack and tabloid-splashed breakdown didn't help matters. She looks to regain past glory with her own label, MonarC, through Island DefJam. (Album untitled, Dec. 10)

OPENING SALVO "Through the Rain", a powerhouse ballad in the "One Sweet Day" mold that Carey easily knocks out of the park. With its inspirational lyrics and strong delivery (without using the once-inevitable dog-whistle high notes) her first single, along with a renewed partnership with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, shows she is ready to play.

DECISION Mariah. On fire.

(Newsday)

Many thanks to Mariah Mania.



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