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May / songwriting (46,465) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines May, I agree, songwriting does add to one's artistry. I doubt Katy or GaGa would've made it this far on spectacle alone. Mariah's absolutely right about songwriting being the key to longevity. What always made her stand out from Whitney and Celine was the fact the she wrote 95% of her released material, while the other two were mostly just very gifted interpreters. So Mariah may not have won an Album, Song, or Record of the Year Grammy, but she's the only one among them who got one for Best New Artist (though I really believe Whitney would've gotten one if she weren't unfairly dinged on a technicality based on an inconsistent rule), and she wrote 17 of her #1s and almost all her hits, which says more than any award can. (Thursday 28 August 2014; 3:23)

Side note (46,464) by Dove from USA When I said Nick Cannon's father was a Jesus freak, I didn't mean it in a derogatory way. I just meant he's a fervent follower of Jesus. (Thursday 28 August 2014; 3:15)

Shelly / Ariana (46,463) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines Shelly, I do see Ariana taking the Christina route in the future, although I doubt she'd go through a phase as raunchy as her Stripped era or as classy as her Back To Basics era (which was all kinds of brilliant, by the way). I also agree the Brandy comparison, I mean they both do cascading riffs really well, although Ari lacks Brandy's gorgeous earthy tone (that sounds hard and soft at the same time, somehow like Mimi's rasp, but more severe). I remember when I was 8 and she dropped Never Say Never and she still had this girly tone to her voice, some people were saying her music back then was a combination of Mariah's and Mary J. Blige's. I never fully understood the Mariah comparisons either. Right now, Ariana's voice sounds too cutesy and girly, without the richness and heft of Mimi's tone at that age. It's very lithe and pleasant, though, so it's got that going for it. I believe the hype about her voice is mostly because the current music scene is filled with okay to not-so-great talent, making hers stand out a bit more than it should. Her material also sounds too teen-oriented. If she came out anytime during the 90's, she never would've stood any chance, what with the diva trifecta in full force, as well as the battle of teen bubblegum pop stars in 98-99. (Thursday 28 August 2014; 2:45)

Billboard / Ariana and Mariah, pun intended (46,462) by Edward from USA I think Billboard did a fair job at stating the difference between Mariah and Ariana, making clear who's who. "My Everything" is a cool all-over-the-place bubblegum pop album, but never an album as cohesive, and with as much quality as MIAMTEC. "My Everything" suffers from what "E=MC2" did, being a collection of potential hit singles that plays like a greatest hit record, but not as good as the latter. Between "Yours Truly" and "My Everything", I prefer the former. Ariana won't ever enunciate as well as Mariah does. Billboard makes clear that her diction is not up to part with Mariah's. I like Ariana, and I like the fact that she's trying to find her own sound, but it is such a paradox that when she's supposedly trying to get away from Mariah's signature sound, she starts her album with an intro that couldn't scream more "I'm a Mariah-wannabe". It may be "Her Everything", but it won't definitely be as cherished and loved as "Daydream" or "Butterfly" 20 years from now. (Thursday 28 August 2014; 2:03)

Kim Kardashian (46,460) by Dove from USA This is kinda old news but it just occurred to me that maybe the reason Mariah was more upset about Kim Kardashian than the other other ladies NC mentioned in the infamous interview is because what he said about Kim was pretty harsh. All of the women he listed are beautiful and I highly doubt Mariah is jealous of any of them. She's Mariah Carey. I'm not the biggest fan of Kim (to me she seems a little narcasistic) but those comments hurt me as a woman. I've known people in my life who others consider whores but they are people just looking for love and acceptance. Being the kind-hearted, classy woman Mariah is, I don't think she would be cool with her husband demeaning an ex-girlfriend to the public. (Thursday 28 August 2014; 1:51)

Billboard article (46,459) by LC from USA I really liked this article. It was really good and unbiased, especially for Billboard which has been really shady towards Mariah lately. I mean, really? They gave MIAM a 77, then gave J. Lo's album a 78? Not so slick. But this article is really good. It sounds like it was written by a fan of Mariah, and one who really understands her music. Like, I totally agree with what he or she pointed out. Mariah has explored many genres throughout her career, but every album has its own sound. She works on an album as a whole piece of art, unlike artists out today who just try to "write" or compile potential singles. That's what sets her catalogue apart from those of the artists today and even some of her fellow legends/contemporaries. Ariana has a good voice and has a lot of potential. But she is no Mariah. Mariah is more than the greatest vocalist. She is a true artist. She knows how to make music into art. That's what sets her apart from Ariana, and almost everyone else. (Thursday 28 August 2014; 1:40)

Mariah jazz number (46,458) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines Am I the only one who wishes Mariah would someday create a minimalist jazz number (most possibly a ballad) that involves just her and a piano with maybe just some strings, a few background voices, horns, but nothing else? Like no synths whatsoever. Since Mariah seems to do better in impromptu performances than staged ones, I wouldn't mind if she brought that approach to the studio and even if it sounds a bit rough and almost like a demo, I guess that would just add a certain rawness to it. Perhaps I just feel it's been too long since The Wind. In her most recent releases, I Wish You Well, Cry. and Camouflage are the closest she's come to a stripped down ballad, but they're gospel-tinged, which is great, but I guess I'm just clamoring for a simple jazz-influences piano ballad ala Röisín Murphy's The Closing Of The Doors or Amy Winehouse's version of Someone To Watch Over Me (a song which Mariah would also kill). Mariah and jazz is a perfect fit. Her duet with Tony Bennett was perfect, so I hope she considers doing more of that in the future. (Thursday 28 August 2014; 1:20)

MIAMTEC cd (46,457) by enwar00 from usa Guess what everyone? I finally found my MIAMTEC cd after it was lost for two months. It was buried deep between the driver's seat and the center console of my car. I've only been able to listen to the album on my phone since then, so this week it's been looping over and over in my car on the stereo and it sounds so good. (Thursday 28 August 2014; 0:46)

Ken from USA (46,456) by Gilbert from USA Wow, very good eye. I don't think it is her either. That is one set of really gold hair. I had to watch it a couple of times and the hair doesn't match up from what I can tell so. I'd have to agree I think it must be a double. Not sure why, that doesn't seem to be a hard scene that Mariah couldn't film. (Thursday 28 August 2014; 0:42)

Re Nikki (46,455) by Carol from Spain If Mariah had a rep fighting off these allegations everytime it would be exausting. Mariah will talk about it when she chooses. (Wednesday 27 August 2014; 23:54)

Correct me if I'm wrong (46,454) by Ken from USA When the bride gets into the car at the end of the We Belong Together video, it is not Mariah. I can't believe it's taken me this long to notice. (Wednesday 27 August 2014; 23:46)

Gilbert / Close My Eyes (46,453) by Bill from the UK Hi Gilbert, you're welcome. It's nice to read posts like yours, especially between all the talk about Mariah's current situation. I know fans want to talk about it to each other but it really upsets me. I just watched Close My Eyes on Rosie following your post. I haven't seen that in a while and I forgot how good it was. Interesting that she changed the word "dying" to "fading". I also love her look during this period. Bring back the earth tone make up and honey coloured hair, it is beautiful. Another favourite of mine is Emotions from the Rotterdam concert during the Daydream tour. There's a fan video of it on YouTube. It isn't the highest quality but it is fantastic, and during the song's closing bars she trills differently in the upper register to how she usually does. She also oozes confidence and dominates the stage. A great show. (Wednesday 27 August 2014; 23:22)

Bill from UK (46,452) by Gilbert from USA Bill thank you for your response. This is why I enjoy this message board because we get to share feelings and thoughts and I was actually thinking of posting this a few days back but I've been busy with work that I wanted to share. I always loved the way she sang Close My Eyes on Rosie. Why can't that be redone in the format. Lol. I also love how she sang Subtle Invitation and I loved how she had the production of the song done on tour when she sang it on the piano. To me that's one of her best performances. Thank you again for sharing. (Wednesday 27 August 2014; 22:35)

Gilbert (46,451) by Bill from the UK I love anything Mariah sings live, especially when she changes it up. For me though, the Unplugged album just trumps all their studio counterparts (except maybe Vision Of Love). This is why it is my most beloved and favourite and cherished record she has ever put out. Her voice, and the acoustic instruments make it seem as if she is right there in your living room. Her voice is of course flawless and the up tempos like Someday and Make It Happen have such vibrancy and energy when compared to the originals. I do also equally love the Here Is Mariah version of Someday though and can't choose between the two. (Wednesday 27 August 2014; 21:51)

You are not alone (46,450) by Abraham from USA I'd also want Mariah to cover the song. "You are not alone" is one of my favorite songs from MJ. I like the lyrics and music. Mariah would definitely do a good job. If she were to cover it, I think it should be the last song on the album. Beause I think it would end the album nicely. (Wednesday 27 August 2014; 20:43)

Nick's Saved cap (46,449) by Dove from USA Honestly, when I saw it, I didn't even think it could be about Mariah. I thought it was more for his dad since he was getting a lot of attention the last few days. If you look at James Cannon's Facebook, he is a Jesus freak. So I though Nick was making light of the whole situation by saying he's saved. (Wednesday 27 August 2014; 20:23)

Hard (46,448) by May from Denmark Well this_is_qhm, it is hard to find your own sound when you don't write your own songs and try to sing like someone else. Just saying hahaha. Hopefully she will find better writers because it would be a waste of a nice voice tho if it went forgotten too soon. Unlike Katy Perry, her gimmicks were what put her up in the pedestal, but she does writes her songs yet I could never really consider her a singer, I consider her a songwriter. Before she became the huge boom she is, I remember seeing her live while playing or trying to play the guitar, goodness, cats screeching along with bats can surely sing better live than she did that time. (Wednesday 27 August 2014; 19:37)

Ariana Grande (46,447) by Dove from USA I listened to her album again this morning and honestly, other than the whistle, I don't think she sounds like Mariah. To me she sounds more like Brandy. She reminds me of Mariah because she's pretty, and seems sweet, and she has the whole Daydream/Butterfly look going. But nobody sings like Mariah. I see her having a career like Christina Aguilera. (Wednesday 27 August 2014; 19:34)

Michael (46,446) by Mimi L. from Empower Your Highlighter Mariah should do a cover of You Are Not Alone by MJ. The song is beautfiul. It's a lot like the pattern Mariah does with her ballads nowadays, starting slow and soft, and building it up to the point where the emotions are bursting out of the song. What wouldn't I give to have a proper duet of Mariah and Michael. But oh well now the cover will suffice. (Wednesday 27 August 2014; 18:53)

Which version do you prefer, original or live version? (46,445) by Gilbert from USA Close My Eyes vs Close My Eyes (Live on Rosie O'Donnell Show) We Belong Togehter vs WBT MTV 2005 Awards Emotions vs Emotions (Here is Mariah Carey special) Someday vs Someday (Here is Mariah Carey special) Without You vs Without You (Live MSG 95) Make It Happen vs Make It Happen (Here is Mariah Carey special) Hero vs Hero (Around The World) I'll Be There MTV 92/93 or I'll Be there (Here is Mariah Carey special) For me, I prefer all live versions over the original song, I'll Be There I prefer the Here is Mariah Carey version. (Wednesday 27 August 2014; 18:14)

Nick (46,444) by Michele from USA Anyone see pictures of Nick out and about in NYC with his hat? It says "saved" on it. Wow. I'm getting an indication of how this is going to play out in public, with little jabs at Mariah. Sigh. He's such a man-child. (Wednesday 27 August 2014; 17:35)

My Everything (46,443) by Dove from USA this_is_qhm: I completely agree and thought the same thing when I heard Ariana's new album. (Wednesday 27 August 2014; 16:48)

My Everything (46,442) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines I know I've ruffled some feathers here when I posted about Ariana on this board before - don't worry, this ain't a lovefest. Just listened to her new release, and it's a letdown. I thought its singles were fun and a sign of a nice departure from her critically-lauded albeit Mariah-aping debut. And in some ways, it is, but apparently, the more Ari strays from Mimi's sound (by using less retro production), the more her music becomes faceless. It's also one of those albums where the better songs were relegated to bonus tracks. It still is better than any of her contemporaries' works, but I only liked a few tracks from it (Best Mistake, Be My Baby, Only 1) and realized that those were the tracks that sounded most like Mariah's material. The girl's got a long way to go in terms of improving her diction, even more so in finding her own sound. Not that there was ever any doubt, but this reaffirms that Mimi's legacy is safe. This effort makes Ariana the latest addition in a growing list of artists who were touted as "the next Mariah" but failed somewhere along the way. She's in the worst position any artist can ever be in their career, because despite the commercial success, she's stuck - if she doesn't sound like Mariah, she sounds like everyone else. Total identity crisis; while her label seems hell-bent on patterning her career on Mimi's. If she considers this her "everything", then things aren't looking good for her, as it increasingly appears that she's got nothing left to give. (Wednesday 27 August 2014; 16:41)

Pizza with kids pictures (46,441) by Dove from USA She looked great in the black and white dress. The posters on the article were saying it looked staged, that she was over dressed, and that the pap never took pictures of them before so why now. Everyone dresses up in New York, and maybe they're going after her now to try to get a statement, or maybe it is staged because she wants everyone to see that she's okay. I don't find anything wrong with that. She looked great, that dress was flattering and appropriate. And the kids are so cute. (Wednesday 27 August 2014; 16:25)

Enough (46,440) by supafly from Ok everybody, quit posting about this divorce BS. Mariah's fans should not be fuelling this fire. If the rumours are true the least we can do is support MC, and I don't mean by dissing Nick, I mean keep it about the music. Let the haters speculate, we should just shake it off. *hits play on Cry for yet another cover to cover listen* (Wednesday 27 August 2014; 15:55)

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