Tuesday 26 April 2005

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It has been three years since the world heard fresh vocal talent from Mariah Carey. The three years have been worth the wait. The Emancipation of Mimi exhibits her great vocal range with both soulful and pop love songs. Better than Glitter and Charmbracelet, this album does not disappoint.

There are songs on the album that are timeless, speaking of lost love and love to be found. But to make the album unique to 2005, the Neptunes, Kanye West, and Jermaine Dupri co-produce most of the tracks with Mariah, while Nelly, Snoop Dogg, and Twista are featured on some of the tracks. These collaborations bring to the album songs that will make you move, even if you're not much of a dancer.

Staying true to Mariah's R&B style, Emancipation has a combination of ballads reminiscent of her hits "Honey" and "Butterfly", as well as songs with more groove, like "Heartbreaker".

As the sultry album cover suggests, Mariah's sex appeal is evident in her songs, particularly those that have featured artists. Her previous albums do not convey as much sex as this one. The combination of Mariah's seductive voice and the suaveness of Snoop Dogg's voice are suggestive of an intimate bedroom setting.

"To the Floor" features Nelly and Pharell. Nelly does an occasional yell in the background while Pharell and Mariah sing. The song sounds like it could have been used during a '70s roller rink party.

"Get Your Number" features Jermaine Dupri. Each verse ends with Mariah's voice becoming deep and sensuous, and as a response, the chorus follows with Dupri's enthusiastic "Oh damn!" Another song with a featured artist is "One and Only", which displays Twista's signature rap skills.

Girl-power anthems of the album are "Shake It Off", which is about letting a man go who does not share the same feelings of love, and "Your Girl", which portrays a high enough self-confidence to get the man she wants. Both songs flaunt Mariah's multi-octave range as she reaches extremely high notes.

After songs describing sex, loving, and losing, "Fly Like a Bird", the last song on the album, calls upon her religious beliefs to help her through her tough times and to protect her. This gospel ballad has backup vocals similar to that of a church choir.

The album will appeal to her older fans, who remember her early `90s hits, as well as younger fans. With songs for the broken-hearted and for those who are madly in love, or wish they were, The Emancipation of Mimi will truly set all feelings of love free.

(Daily Cardinal)



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