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Randy (54,672) by darrian liu from taiwan What? BET Blueprint's VOL was pure vocal bliss. There's not a single bad note in it. The phrases after "the answer that heaven has sent down to me" were executed brilliantly, the belts were optimally resonant and her runs were on point. 1998's The View was another story. Some of her belts aren't as resonant as they could be and she was dodging notes with insane melismas (they were really good). Since we're talking about deterioration, then we should do it chronologically. Comparing the performances you gave by year, that's not deterioration. (Tuesday 16 June 2015; 16:19)

This_is_qhm (54,671) by Lee TS from USA I just love reading your posts. (Tuesday 16 June 2015; 14:29)

Top 10 Mariah "storytelling" songs (54,669) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines It's remarkable how Mariah's ability to paint vivid pictures with her lyrics has improved over the years. Here's my top 10. Honorable mention: Twister. Probably the most haunting song of hers. 10) Petals. In light of recent events, this seems to hit even harder. 9) Underneath The Stars. No other Mariah song has captured the bliss of young love more perfectly. 8) It's A Wrap. This could be a scene in a musical. It's that entertaining. Plus, you can hear the frustration in Mariah's voice. 7) Make It Happen. Mariah's own success story is truly inspiring. And dem growls? Chills. 6) Fourth Of July. Of all her songs, this is the one that sounds and feels most like a painting. This artwork of the most romantic date ever is simply a masterpiece. 5) Crybaby. A fantastic depiction of the beginning of a relationship's end. And her ad-libs toward the end? Killer. 4) Side Effects. Who knew the dirty laundry of her first marriage would only come out 11 years after the divorce? Intriguing yet empowering. 3) Betcha Gon' Know (The Prologue). This is probably the most cinematic of all Mimi's storytelling songs. The riveting tale of a woman witnessing her partner's infidelity. 2) Close My Eyes. The best showcase of Mariah's knack for metaphors. Dreamy, elegant, introspective, mysterious, and compelling. 1) The Roof. Everything just came together for this sensual and sexy track - the melody, the mood, the lyrics, the video, A+. I call this quiet storm with a subtle urban edge. What are yours? (Tuesday 16 June 2015; 12:24)

Re: Ty (54,668) by Alexis Morell Carrington Colby Dexter Rowan from USA Thank you. (Tuesday 16 June 2015; 12:18)

Randy (54,667) by Bino from Vocal deterioration means the voice becomes progressively worse as time passes. There's a little truth to it (after '96) but it's a hyperbole that you and others keep shoving down our throats. We have ears, and we know the golden voice will never come back, but to constantly, endlessly say her voice has deteriorated is stretching it a bit. You mentioned about bad performances after 1995 and yet there are plenty of excellent performances as well. Why pretend they don't exist? Now that's not vocal deterioration, it's vocal inconsistency. The fact that two decades after her supposed vocal deterioration, we're still talking about it (with so many theories about her voice, just go to YouTube), and that she's still performing here and there, improving recently and slaying still sometimes, only shows the myth that is her voice - raw, flawed, but eternally astonishing, whether it's studio or live. About your "engineer-in-the-room" comment? Do you know for certain that it is true? And are you insinuating that she's a fake vocalist, that it's all made up? What is your point in bringing that up? (Tuesday 16 June 2015; 10:16)

What I have learned from posting on this board II (54,666) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines 1. Every fan has a unique way of supporting Mariah in this big family that's pretty much dysfunctional half the time. 2. You'll have to accept that every once in a while, a comment will come so straight out of left field that will have you suddenly considering that smashing your keyboard/monitor/device may not be such a bad idea. Worst thing is, this happens more often than you'd think and want. 3. There was a time when "disliking" was an option. It was removed shortly due to its tendency to be used as a bullying tactic. 4. You're sure to find someone you'll love, loathe, and have a love-hate relationship with. 5. There's something to be said for not saying anything. 6. Not a week goes by without a "critical vs. optimistic fan" argument. 7. No week is also complete without a debate on Mariah's vocal ability or "what's left of it". 8. Mariah's The Art Of Letting Go is may very well be dedicated to every poster on the board for its relevance in this setting. The earlier you learn it, the better. You'll also realize just how valuable scrolling is. 9. Posters come and go. But you're better off taking a break from posting without any announcement at all as 90% of those who do never really seem to leave anyway. 10. The webmaster is all kinds of cool for coming up with this site and have it running for so long. Bonus: Pretty much everyone hates Boy (I Need You). (I personally don't. I love the melody of the verses and the refrain. The song overall, though, is quite cloying.) (Tuesday 16 June 2015; 9:31)

Marcus (54,664) by Elena from The Netherlands I agree with you. This time she's got a hell of a stage and all the ingredients to make it a spectacle en more entertaining beyond the voice. What's missing is a few dance moves here and there and the energy. Mariah used to run and walk around the stage whilst singing effortlessly (!) For her switching from grand spectacle in uptempo's to more intimate setting with ballads would work best. More new video material especially made for the concert series could give the old classics more life. I love what she does with TGIFY because here she can sing freely and play around with the song, which she is a master at, just look at her remixes. The show is almost perfect. They only had a few months to put it together and done great, but what could be done better is Mariah herself. Her outfits, her vocal resting and her moving around on stage. (Tuesday 16 June 2015; 8:49)

Re: Vibrato (54,656) by Alexis Morell Carrington Colby Dexter Rowan from USA (54,663) by darrian liu from taiwan I noticed lack of vibrato too. I think that's a result of retraining her voice. Before Vegas (2014) her belts in the 5th octave aren't really that good. Now I see her trying to keep support in her belts. Maybe she's advised not to add vibrato before her support is as strong as at least 2005 vocals. If she adds vibrato to her belts now, the notes might not be as good as the notes we're hearing now. Or maybe it's a stylistic choice? (Tuesday 16 June 2015; 7:43)

Clueeey and Giovanni (54,662) by Randy from USA You need proof of vocal deterioration? Watch Mariah sing Vision Of Love after "the answer that heaven has sent down to me" until the end in 1995 at Madison Square Garden then go three short years and watch it become an epic fail at The View in 1998. Then watch it become an embarrassment at 2003 Shining Through The Rain and then watch it become a laborous strain to prove the point she still has a voice in 2005 at BET's Blueprint. All of these are on YouTube. Need proof of lip syncing? I have plenty of those. No one thinks it's odd she refuses to have anyone but the engineer in the room when she records her vocals? Delusion is very real on this board and it's getting old. By the way, before the nasty messages start, I'm not calling you two delusional. I don't know you as people to make that judgment. (Tuesday 16 June 2015; 5:43)

Alexis shut up (54,661) by Ty from USA You are not a lamb or fan. Mariah is a singer and songwriter. Janet and Madonna are incredible entertainers, but have a limited vocal range, so they hide behind glossy productions or dancing or stripping. You sound completely [...]. (Tuesday 16 June 2015; 3:26)

Re: Shade (Leona Lewis and interviewer) my response (54,649) by Amber C my response a response to me. (54,660) by Amber C from USA I am not shading Whitney, I'm stating the facts. I would only be shading Whitney if Mariah was an Ariana in Whitney world, and I failed to realize. But no. Mariah was freaking Mariah Carey in a Whitney World. This is not shade honey. This is a fact. People disliked Mariah way more than they did Whitney. And to this day it has not changed. Whitney and Mariah stans can disagree all they want. The truth is the truth. Who made girls think they can sing, who inspired two whole generation? Who still has females hating? Btw I love Whitney. I just stand by our girl. There's something about Mariah. (Tuesday 16 June 2015; 2:11)

clueey23 / really? (54,659) by Marcus from Brazil clueey23, people don't really need to learn the difference, you only need to have a good set of ears and unbiased judgment. Celine's voice is aging, she doesn't sing like she used to after 35 years in the music business, you can clearly hear the difference in her last album, but she's consistent when she's on the microphone. 20 years from now, she will have lost some more of her range, but she'll still be able to perform just like Patti or Barbra. Mariah's voice different from Celine's, has deteriorated. It is not as shot as Whitney's was, because Mariah can still pull decent performances here and there. Mariah lost her fluidity, and some of the nuances that made her voice an incomparable instrument. It is what it is. I know 90's Mariah isn't coming back, and it would be ridiculous to think her voice would recover to that extent, but based on your statement, you must've become a fan in the '00s because Mariah's voice and delivery was impeccable in the '90s. (Tuesday 16 June 2015; 1:48)

Billy (54,658) by Luke from United Kingdom I think that is true in some ways. I lived in America for 3 years and our humour is both different. Not massively but I often had friends over there not understand my humour that I always used with people in the UK and vice versa. On the subject of her not being very popular over here, I think could be because the British tend to like and nurture homegrown talents lol. I know that sounds snobbish but it goes with the whole going to pubs/gigs vibe and supporting people like Adele, Sam Smith, Amy Winehouse, Duffy etc. When I speak about Mariah to my friends they usually just end up saying how they only hear her on throwback stations, which is sad. I live for the day when Mariah is all over the radio and TV with amazing new music haha (Tuesday 16 June 2015; 1:47)

Alexis (54,657) by Bill from the UK Wow, you've excelled yourself. Three slams in a row, well done. Cheers, toast, bravo, to you. You're the over-named person of the hour. I'mma have to send you some flowers. But Freddy Krueger? Seriously? Grow up. (Tuesday 16 June 2015; 1:41)

Vibrato (54,656) by Alexis Morell Carrington Colby Dexter Rowan from USA Has anyone else noticed a lack of vibrato in the Vegas shows? I'm not starting a voice debate, it's just to noticeable especially since she has been throwing all these "long notes" into songs like VOL, IDWC. (Tuesday 16 June 2015; 0:49)

Dead on her feet (54,655) by Alexis Morell Carrington Colby Dexter Rowan from USA With Miss Janet returning to snatch, I would suggest Mariah go and sit down after the July shows. With Madonna going on what will surely be another successful world tour soon, I would suggest Mariah go and sit down after the July shows. I'm not shading Mariah, but acknowledging that when the press starts comparing these 3 divas "of a certain age" Mariah will always be painted as the flop as compared to the other 2. I really hope Mariah can watch the other two and take some notes from her peers (actually from those that came before her) about stage presence. Someone asked why Mariah shows don't sell out fast. I swear this line from Freddy Krueger sums it up. Tthe Counselor turns into Freddy Krueger and it is revealed that he is having sex with a dead girl's body. "It's not my fault this bitch is dead on her feet." He laughs, and waves the dead girl's hand at Lori. (Tuesday 16 June 2015; 0:48)

The voice / next album (54,654) by Giovanni from USA I like Mariah's current voice as well. I was amazed when I heard 1990 Mariah in Vegas with "I don't want to cry". She did great considering she hasn't sang that song in such a long time. It was all live with no struggling. And as much as I dislike "Infinity", she's nailed the high note in all her live performances. (They sound hella strong.) Her voice has definitely improved. All Mariah needs is a good image, good music and videos for her next album. I'd like her to surprise me with a new sound and killer songs. "Beautiful" was so good and fresh. (Tuesday 16 June 2015; 0:45)

Re: Shade (Leona Lewis and interviewer) my response (54,649) by Amber C from USA (54,653) by Alexis Morell Carrington Colby Dexter Rowan from USA Amber, you surely tried it with that Whitney shade. I agree that after a certain point Whitney wasn't in anyone's way: that's because Whitney had literally become peerless. The new girls knew they couldn't touch her so they simply avoided driving too long in her lane. Mariah hasn't been in anyone's "way" for years. (Tuesday 16 June 2015; 0:37)

Re: Luke (54,652) by Billy from Greece Thanks for the clarifications Luke. I missed out the information because of the British accent. I also agree with what you said. Very understandable for Mariah to "sigh" when she gets the "new you" comment every now and then. Interviewer is clearly not a fan. No offense (since you're from the UK) but I always had the impression that the British are not fond of Mariah or that they don't get her sense of humor or her cultural references, or they just plain don't get "her". As if there's some cultural gap or something. I don't want to generalize but judging upon interviews I've seen of Mariah in the UK, that's what I perceive. (Tuesday 16 June 2015; 0:17)

Clueey (54,651) by B from USA I agree that Mariah's voice hasn't deteriorated like many seem to think. Her voice has matured and is still impressive. Yes, she fails to hit notes and sounds winded when she doesn't rehearse or hasn't rested properly before a performance but those things can easily be explained. Can they support their claims about her supposed vocal deterioration without making accusations that can't be proved? No. Most articles and YouTube videos either claim Mariah is an alcoholic or drug user. Those who want to claim Mariah doesn't take her care of her voice, wasn't properly trained, and used (uses) a poor technique are clearly ignorant. (Monday 15 June 2015; 23:10)

clueey23 (54,650) by Xavier Peoples from United States I totally agree with you. I actually like Mariah's voice better now compared to when she was younger. I know a lot of people will say that her live vocals are less consistent than before, but I actually think she sounds better in the studio than in the past. (Monday 15 June 2015; 22:34)

Shade (Leona Lewis and interviewer) my response (54,649) by Amber C from USA The truth of the matter is no one was threatened by Whitney anymore after Mariah arrived. No one was scared of Whitney's stats or receipt. People just had respect for Whitney. People resepct whitney more than they do Mariah. Not because she's most successful or talented (even tho she was very talented). They respected her because she wasn't in anybody's way. Mariah on the other hand was always in everyone's way lol. To this day you would think the people will start showing her love and what not but they won't. They cant show her love because they are not relieved yet. Mariah is still in the way, her stats are In the way and her destiny isn't yet fulfilled. No one has time to hate [...], [..], [..], [..] because they aren't a threat. Their music and success and talent package dint cause animosity or jelousy. Where as Mariah the woman and the package does, even to this day they hate to see or hear about her. I'm not trying to exaggerate it's the truth. [Webmaster: Please, next time use capitals when you start a sentence or write names, or else your message won't get posted.] (Monday 15 June 2015; 22:30)

Billy (54,648) by Luke from United Kingdom I don't think he was saying that she cringed. I believe he said "I remeber interviewing Mariah just after you won the X Factor and I was like, so we've got a singer that's the new you." He then done a sigh expression saying that's what Mariah's done. As if she was saying in her head "What another one?" Which is pretty understandable. I might be the only one who thinks this but I find it a little offensive for someone to say that, like you're old goods and need replacing. The funny thing is, Leona has probably immitated Mariah just like Ariana (If not more). You will find more images of her and Mariah looking alike than her and Whitney. But why would she admit that? She's so original. I don't know if they used to say there is a "new Whitney" when she was alive, but why do they do it with Mariah when she's still here and making music? It isn't like the music from Ariana or Leona is any better. It baffles me. (Monday 15 June 2015; 22:10)

Mariah is an entertainer (54,647) by Bino from Mariah is not a dancer, true. She normally doesn't have shows à la Broadway, yes. No spectacles. But she is an entertainer; she entertains people through her music, her voice. Speaking of which, I wouldn't describe it as deteriorating, i.e., becoming worse as time passes. That is only true from 1996 to 1997. But it simply isn't the case now. The problem with her voice is inconsistency. She can still sing well obviously, as shown in her last shows. About Mariah not selling out arenas instantly, that may be true. But then again she was the highest grossing female solo live act recently, and she have plenty of gigs coming up, which means there's a demand to see her, to be entertained by her. I suppose she's not doing bad. (Monday 15 June 2015; 21:54)

Thoughts (54,646) by clueey23 from USA People need to learn the difference between a voice maturing over 25 years and deterioration. MC's vocals have simply matured and I like the way she sounds. Whitney Houston, rest her soul, her voice was deteriorated. She couldn't hold note a single note, the voice was clearly gone. MC doesn't sound bad and I hate that her fans seem to have nothing but bad things to say about her and her current vocals. (Monday 15 June 2015; 21:18)

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