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Myles / deteriorating voice (38,554) by CDC from CA There could be a myriad of reasons why Mariah's voice declined in 1997. The first, and probably most debated, are the nodules on her vocal folds. Mariah has said herself that she has had them since childhood, but you cannot sing with them forever. The second could be the notion of how a lyric voice pushes itself to do things that are more appropriate for dramatic voices. I'm primarily a violinist, but I have also dabbled in a bit of singing when I attended an art based high school many many years ago. I reengaged with an old friend from that very school some time ago (I believe the latest album Mariah had released at that time was Charmbracelet), who told me that it is likely the nodules that declined her voice. However, since the nodules were present years before 1997, then we would have heard a regression from the very start of her career. What I find so mysterious that her voice declined merely months after her peak when her voice and technique were so healthy and free. Something strange happened to Mariah between 1996/1997, but unless Mariah herself tells us what happened, I don't think we'll ever know. (Thursday 4 July 2013; 0:46)

Will (38,519) by CDC from CA I forgot about the "X, Y and Z do it so why is Mariah the one to be crucified" excuse. I don't think that justifies Mariah's repetitive lip synching. I see everyone talking about the past and the distant future, but what about the now? "#Beautiful" and the upcoming album aside, if she continues this pattern, do you think anyone will be willing to pay hundreds of dollars to see her in the recently announced tour? How do you think Beyonce managed to sell all those tickets when she had neither a single nor album to promote. It is because of the the entertaining, inspiring and high energy show she delivered at the Super Bowl, and the same qualities that were exhibited on the Super Bowl stage were delivered on her tour. What exactly is it that would excite viewers of the Idol, GMA or BET performances to attend one of Mariah's shows? Shoddy lip-synching, lifeless presence, and an out-of-date "diva" routine?If one just saw Mariah Carey perform on stage, and all that can be said is that she "looked great", then there is an unquestionable problem. (Tuesday 2 July 2013; 0:18)

BET performance (38,492) by CDC from CA Scrolling through Twitter only moments after her BET performance, I quietly asked myself, are the breakdowns worth it anymore? I cannot imagine having to pull out the arsenal of decade-old excuses of "she's saving her voice/what would you expect of a middle aged mother of two/she has nothing to prove" every single time she steps on a stage. Admittedly, watching the Idol and GMA performances upset me a tad bit, but the recent BET performance... nope. I laughed. Her antics now amuse me to bits and pieces lol. What gets me giddy the most is that in all her stillness, stiffness, and flat out not budging a single muscle, she doesn't even bother to make the sound appear as if its coming from her own lips. It's not even "lip'"synching anymore when you casually mumble along to whichever layer of the track that attracts your attention at a given moment. Lol. Advice to Mariah: If you are so insecure about performing live, then don't. Take some time off and practice. At any age, in any situation, practice always makes perfect. You'll have to be out of the spotlight a bit (which I can understand might be frightening for any celebrity) but as they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder. They'll appreciate you more that way. Barbra Streisand can attest to that. (Monday 1 July 2013; 4:10)

Idol performance / voice (37,942) by CDC from CA She took quite a bit of heat in 2002 when Charmbracelet was released. I recall critics unfavourably comparing her first attempted "comeback" with that of Whitney Houston's "Just Whitney" and Celine Dion's "A New Day Has Come", because of the muddy and whispery enunciation, which suggested a vocal decline (or how the critics were writing: "her voice had been shot"). In one of those packaged interviews to promote the Charmbracelet album, she repudiated those critics by saying that she no longer prefers dynamics because they're "boring". Since then, I don't think she has ever allowed this matter to be brought up in public again. Set aside status, reputation, accomplishments. The American Idol performance was bad. No matter if Beethoven or Bieber; a bad performance is a bad performance. It was a continuation of her usual fair of quasi-lipsynched lyrics and syllables cunningly masked with over-exaggherated excess. The planned prerecord backfired big time in large part due to whoever was oversaw the editing. It now seems that the public at large is beginning to question Mariah's voice, with the Kelly Price twitter scandal, and now the American Idol performance. Hopefully, this will encourage a much needed shift in her musical activities. She has a proven ear and has exhibited herself to be quite a talented musician, so why not interpret her songs that better suits the current state of her voice? Clearly, the voice hasn't been the same in decades, but the singer never left. (Monday 20 May 2013; 9:23)

More Mariah Idol (37,201) by CDC from CA If Mariah's Idol critiques are what they appear on screen, then okay. I can understand why she can't gather herself to rave over performances that are just average. Mariah has done things with her voice that are so unbelievable that they're almost scandalous. Listening to a lot of the contestants on Idol is like watching paint dry on a wall. I have some friends who work for an entertainment news program based in Toronto, so I've heard a plethora of celebrity stories (among them Mariah at TIFF a few years ago, but I'll keep those to myself ), and apparently seniority is a huge deal in celebrity-land (even though they almost never acknowledge age as a number). It's difficult to believe that artists with 15+ careers would allow a fledgling to take over the way Nicki has. (Saturday 16 February 2013; 6:22)

RibbonB (37,187) by CDC from CA I remember Keith saying that Mariah was very helpful with technicalities, that she's making sure the contestants are using their voices properly. I also remember Ryan saying that Mariah would advise contestants during auditions by singing back to them. I've seen none of this on the show. It seems like Mariah is being edited down to the tittle, unfortunately. Nigel Lithgow has been open about being partial to Nicki, so maybe it's a conspiracy? (Friday 15 February 2013; 5:26)

Edward from USA (37,155) by CDC from CA I've noticed that Nicki has appointed herself as the unofficial "head judge" as well. Maybe it's in her nature to take command over others, or maybe it's rooted from an insecurity based on the number of contestants in awe of Mariah's presence. Either way, I find her irritating. I probably wouldn't be half as annoyed if her voice wasn't so loud and strident. I can see how people find her cute, but I just don't buy into it. So, if Nicki was the problem to begin with, then Mariah should've quit, returned the $18 million and began production on that stage adaptation of her Christmas album, or written those children's books, or released that charity single, or even acted in another movie. Does anyone actually believe that scouring talent is her objective with this Idol stint? (Especially after saying for years that she could/would never judge others in this type of format?) There is success and relevancy outside the pop charts, and I'm sure there are thousands of other projects that would be more beneficial than Idol. (Sunday 27 January 2013; 1:06)

American Idol (37,131) by CDC from CA If I can be objective for one moment: Mariah's performance as a judge is so far disappointing. She hasn't said anything insightful or even remotely interesting, and as a whole, she appears dull. Most of her output has been fluff., short and vague compliments that I'm sure would boost the contestants' confidence, but wouldn't imagine help guide their musical direction. I had hoped to learn a few things from Mariah's multi-decade experience in music, but she seems more focused on personality than music. "I connected with you", "You're a star", "You glow". Really, only a few minor steps above the mentally absent Britney on X-Factor a few months ago. Maybe she'll improve in the coming weeks, maybe she's reserving any substantial critiques for the later, more important dates, but for now, since I'm generally not interested in Idol, I'm going to check out. (Friday 25 January 2013; 3:44)

Will from England (37,098) by CDC from CA www.youtube.com/watch?v=823mhzaNe3I (Wednesday 16 January 2013; 23:16)

Gold Cost press release (37,007) by CDC from CA Lol. Who put together that press form introducing Mariah performing at one of the Australian venues? It's literally littered with shade. "Light years ahead of 'pop culture icon' Madonna"? Well that's more than enough to wake the sleeping dragons. (Friday 28 December 2012; 23:51)

Nicki Minaj (36,804) by CDC from CA As for this Nicki Minaj business: My problem isn't the fact that she released a "diss" track. The issue, I find, is that she released it while she continues on press junkets with nothing but "praise". She was on GMA this morning, and dismissed the scenario as a one-off lapse of better judgment, and yet, her recent deeds seem to be prolonging the controversy much more so than that Barbara Walters conversation. She went on a twitter tirade was apparently instigated by that "View" episode, all the while having the entire events filmed. Interview packages and all. She is an absolute hypocrite looking to draw attention towards her latest re-re-release album, which is currently sitting at an abysmal 21 on CA iTunes. (Wednesday 21 November 2012; 5:25)

Rihanna ties Madonna (36,803) by CDC from CA Well, looks like Rihanna's inexplicable streak of number one hits continues with her latest, "Diamonds". Just incase anyone wants to keep track: 1. The Beatles (19) 2. Mariah Carey (18) 3. Elvis Presley (17) 4. Michael Jackson (13) 5. The Supremes (12) = Madonna (12) = Rihanna (12) 6. Whitney Houston (11) 7. Stevie Wonder (10) = Janet Jackson (10) Who's the odd one out? (Wednesday 21 November 2012; 5:11)

Bob/reminiscing about Disco (36,800) by CDC from CA I caught the original [uncensored] message. A rather harsh way of putting it, but I got Bob's point. It's sad that Donna Summer and Andy Gibb are being sidelined from receiving all these lush, high production tributes probably because they've been marginalized as strictly disco. I don't want to age myself, but I grew up in the UK, so we didn't get much disco for a while until Donna Summer released "MacArthur Park". That was a massive crossover hit, I remember, dominating practically every music format. And frankly, was there ever a bigger star than Donna during the "MacArthur" period? The success of the "Saturday Night Fever" soundtrack set the precedent for all soundtracks that followed, largely credited to the Bee Gees. They really helped lift the spirits of what were horribly angry teenagers rioting on the streets for whatever reasons. There was tons of ABBA to go around, but absolutely nobody my age would have admitted to even recognizing the melody to "Mamma Mia", let alone "Dancing Queen". There was something severely 'unhip' about them, at least in my schoolyard. Donna and Andy were two of the biggest stars in the world, but it seems as if that fact is being masked in what seems like a continuing backlash against disco among rock circles. (Tuesday 20 November 2012; 23:34)

On Tommy Mottola (36,747) by CDC from CA Tommy Mottola didn't make Mariah a superstar. The world did. Tommy is absolutely entitled to credit for being an integral factor in Mariah's success. Had she signed with Warner, however, it is likely we would not have the songs we are enjoying today. When she moved to the city, she was just as talented, ambitious and hungry as the rest of them. (She often recalled sharing an apartment with a group of other aspiring entertainers.) She knew she wanted to be number one regardless of the people operating the machine or the facilities she was using. If she walked into Warner studios with the same attitude she did at Columbia, then this website would still be what it is. PS. I was cruising Amazon and discovered that Tommy is releasing his autobiography early next year. The abstract clearly states that Mariah, naturally, will be heavily featured in the book. (Friday 16 November 2012; 0:57)

Butterfly on vinyl (36,704) by CDC from CA Anybody knows if it exists/seen one/knows where I can get a copy? I've surfed the internet for it but came up dry. The closest I've found is a UK import copy. (Thursday 8 November 2012; 22:35)

E=MC2 (36,633) by CDC from CA I absolutely agree with the complete mismanagement of E=MC2. There were at least two or three more potential top 5 hits in that album. In fact, I firmly believe that she could have at least tied the Beatles' record if she played her cards right. It was her most commercial friendly album since Daydream. "Bye Bye" should never have been a single. With the rise of Lady GaGa, Rihanna and Flo Rida, the musical climate of the industry was already leaning towards a second disco invasion. Sentimental ballads died virtually a decade prior to '08. Personally, "Migrate" and "I'll Be Loving You Long Time" should have been succeeding singles; since the album's early preview days, critics were already noting these two as surefire hits. If I remember correctly, E=MC2 received even better reviews than its predecessor, and awards pundits were predicting it to be a major Grammy contender against Coldplay and Lil Wayne. Such a disappointment, that year was. After she wed Nick Cannon (and thus began to welcome him into her career activities) everything seemed to go downhill - not only for E=MC2, but also for the rest of her career. That is all that I will say of that matter. (Tuesday 30 October 2012; 19:10)

Re: Will from England (36,632) by CDC from CA I've too noticed that she's been wearing the same clothes lately. She's said before that she's not as high maintenance as many make her out to be, so maybe as she gets older she doesn't see any benefit of being a clothes horse. Remember years ago when it was reported that designers became increasingly reluctant to loan her clothes because she kept chopping off the hemline? Maybe this apparent blacklist is still effective... or maybe she's been inspired by your very own Duchess of Cambridge. Whatever the case may be, she definitely will be wearing new outfits come her tenure as a judge on American Idol, especially during the live shows. Even though Mariah replaced Jennifer's seat with a throne, Jennifer is still known, if not for anything else, for wearing pretty clothes. (Tuesday 30 October 2012; 18:46)

The Dream/New album (36,551) by CDC from CA Well, we really don't know how much he's involved in Mariah's new album, so I'll reserve judgment. But, if she is working with him again, then she really doesn't get it. Did nobody notify her of the muddy reviews and disappointing numbers Memoirs brought in? Terius even commented on the public's disappointment with Memoirs on twitter a few years ago. She's been outputting the same formula for the last 15 years, and frankly, the results are not always spectacular. It's just about time she branches out. The first non-hip hop producer she worked with in several years was Marc Shaiman on her second Christmas album and the two came up with some brilliant compositions (One Child, Christmastime Is In The Air Again). She chooses to compete with the younger artists who are just as hungry and determined (some even vulgar). If she can't deliver and prove superiority, then she should let it go. An "All About Eve" complex would be most embarrassing. Her body of work makes her relevant, but her recent lack of artistic growth makes her irrelevant. (Friday 19 October 2012; 21:34)

The Dream 2012 (36,533) by CDC from CA I have to say - I hope they're not working together again. If it didn't work in 2009, it won't work in 2013 when the R&B climate is only getting dryer. Personally, I'm not a fan of the songs they wrote together (i.e. Touch My Body, Obsessed, HATE U, et. al). Lyrically, I find those songs to be so far below pedestrian that they're just down right juvenile. Fun songs to bop your head to, but when all the dust settles, there is no meat. But I read on Variety about a month ago that The Dream was appointed an executive position at Def Jam, so hopefully that's where his involvement ends with Mariah's new project. (Thursday 18 October 2012; 20:58)

About Whitney Houston (36,480) by CDC from CA Let's not give too much credit here. Mariah has been writing music and training her voice since she was three. She began writing demo tapes in her early teens. She moved to New York City barely out of high school. All this happened before Whitney released her first album. In the late 90's, Mariah said that she was inspired by Whitney. This was after she met her and became friends. I always thought that their new friendship, by protocol, prompted Mariah to be more complimentary towards Whitney, because when Mariah first burst into the scene, she never really seemed to give a damn about her. (Thursday 11 October 2012; 2:22)

Whoa, Mariah/Nicki Garbaj fued (36,422) by CDC from CA This has escalated to new heights. Many are wondering what instigated the blow out, and I've come up with a theory. I've read that the fight began over the disagreement over a contestant, specifically whether he or she would fit into what is "popular on the charts". Mariah says it won't make it, Nicki disagrees, then Mariah retaliates by referencing her achievement as being the artist with most number one hits in the country (hence, "running down her resume every five minutes"). Perhaps she said that Nicki, having never seen the top of the Billboard Hot 100, was "inadequate" to make comments about music charts. Thus was ignited the firestorm that is Nicki Minaj's mouth. Again, all this a theory. We all share a great admiration for Mariah, but you have to admit that Mariah's ego is through the roof, as it should be. She has career statistics that would make even Peyton Manning and Tom Brady genuflect in her presence. Mariah is by a wide margin one of the most famous, celebrated and powerful artists in pop music; but above all that, she is a master media manipulator. I can see her brilliant agenda. Evidence proves she never wanted another female (let alone one who is more flamboyant) on the panel, and the way she's conducting herself throughout this episode has the world on her side. Aside from the large gathering of celebrity support for Mariah on twitter, she had Barbara Walters talk down about Nicki Minaj as if she were OJ Simpson. Can it get any worse for Nicki? We'll see. Mariah was once married to the CEO and chairman of one of the biggest record labels in the world, so undoubtedly she's pocketed some cunning tricks through the years. She wants Nicki out of Idol, and after that twitter rant, she probably wants her out of the industry. I don't expect anyone to have even a flash of a memory of Nicki Minaj this time next year. Bubbling under the surface of butterflies and rainbows is a woman as cold, cunning and ruthless as an Elizabethan courtier. This makes me like her a lot more. Well played, Mariah. (Friday 5 October 2012; 4:46)

Nicki / Mariah (36,400) by CDC from CA This is exactly why many were opposed to this American Idol gig. That scene looked like something out of a Real Housewives reunion program. Be it a stunt or not, both women represented themselves poorly. I hope Mariah gets all the promotion she needs/wants for her new album and walks. I don't think anybody should endure embarrassment and notoriety for short term achievements. And Iif the "threat" turns out to be true, then the execs need to reformat or reshuffle the panel. When all the craziness settles, American Idol is still a workplace. "Threats" in said environment should not be taken lightly. I work in an office surrounded by several colleagues. If one were to ever demonstrate the behaviour such as that of Nicki Minaj in the TMZ video, he or she would be fired. (Wednesday 3 October 2012; 13:28)

Darnell (36,290) by CDC from CA What she needs to do is rid herself of the team that currently surrounds her. Start off with Randy Jackson. I'm catching up on Mariah news, and I can already tell he's like a parasite. The BET honors, he was there; the BET awards, he was there; last night, he was there. Suspiciously, he was in all the photographs. This was never the case with Benny Medina or Chris Lighty. All this would be fine if he (Randy) were doing his job properly. But more and more I'm beginning to believe that he is more self serving in his professional relationship with Mariah. LA Reid has also worked extensively with Mariah, and yet he was never the name dropper on X-Factor as Randy Jackson has exhibited himself to be on American Idol. A Princess Diana complex, this is. For years, Diana was thrown into a pool of courtiers whose active duty was to work her dry, without having a single regard for her personal feelings. Sound familiar? Now, Mariah has surrounded herself with people who worship her more than work for her. (Thursday 6 September 2012; 22:46)

General thoughts (36,270) by CDC from CA I left a comment on here a few months ago, the content I won't bother repeating. I've since distanced myself from fan websites and other such media, but as many of you might feel, it's hard to quit something that has been so familiar to you for years and years. That said, I sat back, refraining from the usual support I've extended in the past. Deep down, I hoped that there would be "something" that would reignite the spark of interest I had in Mariah's projects. The new single did absolutely nothing for me, and more recently, the live performance only worsened my opinion of Mariah and the song. There is no conceivable way I can be constructive, so I'd rather politely omit any further details of my thoughts on the disappointing performance. I just noticed that Mariah's name was trending on twitter, but the overwhelmingly negative responses from twitter users were disheartening to read. I can't help but think that this is only a foreshadowing of Mariah's tenure as an American Idol judge. I stuck by through the dark and gloomy Glitter years because it was clear that she had true respect for the craft. With her recent projects (HSN, American Idol, new song, etc.) I don't feel her intentions are in the right place. (Thursday 6 September 2012; 3:40)