Messageboard

Darryle / MC promo (44,265) by Mimi L. from Empower Your Highlighter I saw the Robert video and it was so cute. And I laughed out loud at the parts where he was singing TAOLG while running and the part where MC and Robert started talking about how dumb the record company is for not releasing some good singles. She looked like a kid complaining to her friend about a teacher that didn't give good marks lol. I know I have said this many times, but seriously where are the promos? Why isn't she scheduled on Ellen, Kimmel, Fallon and all the other interviews in the world? Why are there no more magazine articles? And where is the "lead" single. Yes yes I know #Beautiful is the official lead, but that was a year ago, and YME was downgraded to buzz single so that's gone too. So where is the single that will launch this album? (Thursday 29 May 2014; 15:40)

Anthony Basco from Wales (44,264) by Sunshine Divalamb from Germany The last few messages you posted I can only sit here nod my head and say amen because it's to the point. I could have written them, if my English would have alowed it but it hinders me to express myself accurately sometimes. I'm the female version of you so to say looking at your last message and I just want to say thank you for putting in words what a lot of us feel/mean. (Thursday 29 May 2014; 15:03)

Robert (44,263) by Darryle from USA Has anyone see the Robert video yet? I saw it and it's hilarious and sweet all at the same time. Robert is the true definition of a devoted die hard lamb. This video really shows how much love Mariah has for us lambs. She signed photos and took pics and talked to him while he was running next to her car. If this was any other person they probably would have just shut the window and left but Mariah stayed and had a mini conversation. I hope Robert gets his Instagram follow. This video just made me like 1000 times more proud to be a lamb. (Thursday 29 May 2014; 15:02)

Anthony (44,262) by Eternal from Italy I've enjoyed reading your replies to Randy and Marcel. I think you're really articulate and you managed to put your point across without sounding offensive or defensive to anyone. Unfortunately to people who have already made up their minds that MC's voice is shot or the album is a flop, there's no way to convince them otherwise. People who loathe something are normally more vocal about it than people who like something. At the end of the day, Mariah Carey is a product for her audience (fans, lambs or just casual listeners). That's why she is right in putting her family as her priority - they are the only people who treat her as a human being, flaws and all. This line of yours to Marcel cracked me up though: "But I forget, you wouldn't have time to read those posts, as you're too busy having a life." (Thursday 29 May 2014; 14:08)

MIAMTEC physical CD sold out in HMV Singapore (44,261) by Raden Ratna Kesuma Joe-Yo from Singapore Well, when the U.S. predicted her sales for this coming week projected only 65,000 - 70,000 units, in some other countries the physical CD all sold out and my country affecting too. So what does it suppose to mean? [...] Now I need to wait for the next week to purchase the CD, even though I bought it on iTunes. (Thursday 29 May 2014; 13:45)

Damage control (44,260) by Darryle from USA I think Mariah needs some damage control to help promote this album. She needs to come off as more down to earth and more likable. She has to get rid of or a least tone down the ditzy diva image. It's not relatable and people want to buy music from those than can relate. Less dahlings and saying stupid stuff like splashes and "I've never had a normal job". She also could use a good stylist. It's always black and long with cleavage. That's so boring. Whoever dressed her on AI needs to come back asap. Mariah has legs for days but she only wears a slit or short dress occasionally. I understand the diva image and dahling stuff is apart of Mariah that we have to accept which is ok but it doesn't mean we have to put up with it all the time. (Thursday 29 May 2014; 13:03)

Mimi (44,259) by iam_a_spnglr from Philippines I love Faded, Meteorite, YDKWTD, One More Try and Heavenly. (Thursday 29 May 2014; 13:00)

Official website (44,258) by Lee from UK I agree with Randy that it is a little suspicious that Mariah's official website hasn't been updated. The only hint about a new album on Mariah's website is a small block playing "Thirsty". There is no reference to her website in any of the Facebook updates either. Only links to iTunes. In a way this makes sense as it is directing people directly to the music. Facebook is actually posting MIAM as part of its direct advertising as my partner, who dislikes Mariah's music, keeps getting pretty large adverts for the album amongst his news feed (not the ones that I am sharing either). I suppose in this day and age if you are going to connect with an artist, the first place you would look would be their Facebook page as opposed to their official website. The only reason I look at official websites these days is for back catalogue information and tour updates. I wonder if it's a cost cutting exercise. (Thursday 29 May 2014; 12:32)

Your questions answered (44,257) by Lee from UK I am one of those people who have been waiting for Mariah to produce something outstanding since 1997. There are other fans on this board who have been waiting 17 years. Some "lambs" here have been questioning why we are waiting. Why are we sticking around? Why haven't we moved on? Why don't find another artist to adore? Well, let me address these questions. Firstly, every time Mariah writes a new album there is a certain amount of targeting at her "old fans" with slogans such as "the return of the voice" or "she hasn't sounded this good since the 90s" or "this album is nostalgic of her earlier work". This comes from producers she is working with and record companies so of course we are going to stick around to see if Mariah actually delivers on this promise. Secondly, many of us have found other artists to adore, it just wouldn't be appropriate to bang on about them on a Mariah Carey forum. Clearly we are still fans of Mariah otherwise what would be the point of a 31 year old taking time out of his day to write messages about a singer to a bunch of people he doesn't know? Some of you are on the cusp of accusing us of trolling. (Thursday 29 May 2014; 12:25)

Album sold out at Target (44,256) by Jpark from USA As a fan, I really did my part in supporting Mariah's new album. I preordered the deluxe album on iTunes, I bought both the deluxe and regular CDs, and I wanted to buy the exclusive Target edition (with America The Beautiful song) but it was sold out. As or right now, I bought 3 copies of the new album. I don't understand why the first week sales is projected at round 60,000. I'm pretty sure we can prove that wrong as long as we support Mariah and buy more of her albums. I did my part, did you? (Thursday 29 May 2014; 9:58)

Marcel (44,255) by Anthony Basco from Cardiff, Wales The reason you are particularly frustrating is one line you keep using "MC is not my life, I have a life and I live it". Well guess what? So do I. I come here to discuss Mariah, her music and her persona because that's a hobby of mine and something I'm passionate about (I'm also very passionate about video games and also post at a video games site). But guess what? I have a very good, well paid demanding job, a lot of friends, a big family and a husband so believe me, my life is very full and happy itself, thank you very much. You hear guys talking about sports together all the time - that's a guy thing. I don't really have the luxury of taking for granted that everyone I meet is an MC fan and will discuss with me her voice, this album, that lyric etc. It just doesn't happen, so I come here to discuss with (for the most part) like-minded people. It's just people discussing an interest or a hobby. I am in no way obsessed and stalkerish who's only goal in life is "all hail Queen Mariah". I am a humongous lamb, and proud, but when all is said and done, I do enjoy doing all the things "normal" people do. And you make me laugh with your comments - if you bother to read my posts, 3 of my top 5 MC albums were 90's (2 the "holy grail" that you consider, coming before '97, those being Emotions and Daydream). But I forget, you wouldn't have time to read those posts, as you're too busy having a life. (Thursday 29 May 2014; 9:09)

WTF is going on? I need to rant and MC needs to slap someone (44,254) by Mark from United States As an obsessive music fan, I've never seen an album release handled this way before. I know that it's all about the music and not the sales, but that's my whole point. This is all way beneath an artist at Mariah's level and this album as a whole. I don't blame her, JD, or fellow lambs for the projected first-week sales. I blame the heaping pile of crap that is her record label. She gave them an excellent album and they dropped the ball, or rather just stood there and looked at it while it bounced past them. No official single since YME when there was at least 8 songs on the album that would have been better single choices to begin with. There is absolutely no reason another single couldn't have been given a solid radio and iTunes release at least a week ago to hype things up. Now we're left to hope that a single is going to be released that will give the album longevity and keep this era going. I'm not holding my breath. In today's industry if a big name's album doesn't do well in the first week it usually vanishes without a trace without any proper singles or further promotion (see: Britney Jean). I know this has all been said before but I'm angry as a fan and for Mariah herself. She's constantly the underdog even though she's proven herself countless times, but the difference this time is that she's not even being given a fair chance to do that. Don't mean to be a downer but this is becoming my fave album and I just know it deserves better. (Thursday 29 May 2014; 8:48)

The Elusive Chanteuse (44,252) by Nicky from Jasmine's Sofa Having followed Mariah since the beginning, honestly, I was very skeptical of this moment in her career. The setbacks, controversies, etc lead me to believe that her focus was more on the "competition" and image than the music. I was completely wrong. After hearing this album in its entirety, which is what she says is key in every interview she's had regrading this work of art, I see that she is being nothing more than completely honest in this record. What I get from the album is that we see her career, her marriage, her family. The image of the American Dream, the image of success. What she is saying is that behind all of that, this is what she feels. This album tells stories of imperfection, longing, memories of love - not saying that she is not currently in love, but every relationship evokes different levels of love. It also tells me that her career may have taken the place of personal relationships and experiences which has her still longing for fulfillment in some aspects. This is her most raw and honest in my opinion. I love every second of it, nothing is contrived or reaching. This is not an album of radio hits, she is not focusing on that. For once she is being selfish in the best way possible. She is doing what an artist does, creating something that she enjoys and that she wants more of in the world: her music her way. The Elusive Chanteuse: the singer that has secrets, mystery, and complexity that is not sitting on the surface. Cheers Mariah. (Thursday 29 May 2014; 7:50)

There is no wrong or right (44,251) by Sunshine Divalamb from Germany I have to lol when I see people trying to explain why this album isn't good and why others (including myself) are wrong for liking it. Who cares? It's someone's opinion to say I do or don't like it, there is no wrong or right with that. It all has something to do with taste. I can accept when people say I don't feel it with this album but come on is it really necessary giving your negativity with each post that's put up here? Don't like it means moving on to something better so why stick around? Saying she didn't release anything good in 17 years shows me you never been a fan, and talking like the lambs are just dumb followers is bullshit. It's a nickname she gave us. I have been a fan since 1990, and I liked this journey with Mariah. Each album has songs I like and songs I don't does that mean I follow her and agree with every little thing she does? No. It means she can't make an album were all the fans/lambs/supporters will say "we all love the whole album". Some that are negative take it way more serious than some of us (blindly following) lambs. Don't like it, don't buy it and just move on, some please forever tbh. (Thursday 29 May 2014; 7:49)

Album thoughts (44,249) by Mara from United States I have been listening to MIAM since it was available for first listen and downloaded both versions off iTunes. I have to say I think it is one of her best albums. I think this album is a vocal album. Sure her voice is a little weaker, but she has been using this voice for 25 years, of course it is not going to sound like when she was 19 years old on VOL or the Daydream album. But taking that into account, she still has the best voice out there. The way she layers her vocals, adds the whistle register and still hits those high notes, there is nobody out there that has that sound. I love reading all these posts and different opinions, and all the new faces on here. We are all here for one reason, our love for MC. I have to disagree when it was said there are no songs like Outside or Petals. Camouflage is right up there IMO of course. I think she poured her heart and soul into that song down to all the different layers and vocals. She put time into that song and boy does it show. The song is just beautiful and everytime I listen to it I get something new. It is so raw. It reminds me a bit of Butterfly. The ending is done beautifully. How many artists put that much time into one song with all the different vocals upon vocals? I think if all of us like at least 2 songs, she did her job. MC has such a mixed group of fans, as we all know everyone wants something different and she aimed to please all of us with this record. I don't care if it does not shoot to the top of the charts if it is an album that is a solid piece of work. And that it is. I really think her hard work, time and effort paid off and it really shows. And I gotta say my love for Meteorite grows everytime I play it too. Some think it's too Madonna or GaGa, but it's so different for Mariah and that's what I love about it. It's got this futuristic sound and it works. All in all I think it's a great album, whether it was a contract obligation or whatever. I can get by with new Mariah material and that makes me happy. (Thursday 29 May 2014; 7:38)

Mariah uplifitng (44,248) by nOVA from USA Yes, on a positive note. This new album is like the vocal Mariah of her first few albums but with the sound of post-Butterfly Mariah. Yes, it sounds like early Mariah but she sings with a soul and conviction that her maturity has given her. It rocks. It's an album of gorgeous songs. I feel like she's just really spoiled me this time. (Thursday 29 May 2014; 7:31)

Re: Adam (44,247) by nikki from usa Yeah, I'm bummed. But, also kinda expected it while hoping for the best. Nobody survives pushing their album back for 2 years and has high sales. Quite frankly, we're lucky it's selling this much because she's been essentially crying wolf for 2 years now. At least with the Christmas album, she promoted it which is more than we can say for this one. Although, all the signs were there. Mariah's allowing us to constantly hear the music and download "singles" but doesn't actually promote them. I sincerely believe after her label didn't back her with Beautiful, she basically said, "Screw it, if you're not going to promote me, why should I bust my butt to make you a buck?" That seems to be the time she decided to make an "artist's artist album", the kind no label would approve of because it's not layered with commercial hits. Plus, if her album sales are low it would be easier to negotiate her way out of her contract early. Once she corrects this "situation" she probably has an arsenal of hits after 5 years of recording. That's my theory at this point. Kick Rocks, Save The Day, Hope Street, etc. (Thursday 29 May 2014; 5:53)

Randy (44,245) by Licia from USA I didn't say anything about the label and promo stuff because I already know this is her get me off this label album. I figured that out a while ago. I can agree that situation with getting away from Columbia turned out better. Although the promo was way better, the album was not though IMO. With the exception of CTTA, TGIFY, Heartbreaker, and Bliss, Rainbow was garbage (in my humble opinion). I think this album is much better than Rainbow. I feel like she put more thought into how she wanted to, present this album to us than she did with Rainbow. I respect the fact that you don't like this album. That's your right. That silver lining statement just rubbed me the wrong way. (Thursday 29 May 2014; 5:08)

New album (44,244) by Robby from Chicago USA I love Faded. Singing with it while driving. This song is so good. Regarding promotion, charts and all that, I think Mariah is no longer interested with that stuff anymore. She just wants to make music for her die hard fans who stayed with her since Day 1. She mentioned this several times on her recent interviews. Of course, it would be great if this album will sell a lot of copies and will produce 3 or 4 #1's to beat the Beatles, but you and I know that it's not gonna happen no matter how hard she tries. This is no longer her era anymore. 24 years in the business is unmatchable and today's music standard is far-fetched from what it was back then during her prime. Let's (die hard lambs) just support her in any way that we could and enjoy everything that she puts out there. I am fan since 1990 (I was 14) but the reality is, everyone gets old. (Thursday 29 May 2014; 5:06)

Mariah Carey the true artistic legend (44,243) by Raden Ratna Kesuma Joe-Yo from Singapore Mariah Carey is the world best international artist, even if she failed to dominate her status in America she is indeed a [...] well known to other countries and they love her soo much. As from now, her current position in iTunes for her new album Me. I Am Mariah... The Elusive Chanteuse, she dominate #1 in 25 countries. [...] What does she need to prove to all of us here especially the [...]? She has done her prime before she had enough and now she is a legend of her own. Even if she didn't sell as much as before like a hot cakes for the first [...] week, she probably don't care anymore, because she's rich. She just want us to enjoy her music, her true music as a true musician who she is. That's why she came true to herself and doesn't want to follow other trend like all the twinky newbie artist such as Katty Perry, Ciara, Ariana etc. Duhh (roll eyes). Btw it doesn't matter, she's still the one and only, [...] There is nobody diva-ish" or her charismatic poise classic chanteuse like her after Whitney's passing or even Celine. Atleast, can we just enjoy her and her music while she's still with us on earth? (Thursday 29 May 2014; 4:38)

Album as a whole thoughts (44,242) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines Never has Mariah taken the word throwback more seriously or literally in any album more than this. It's a slow-burner with only a few single choices - all of them risky, especially in today's musical landscape. There's a Janet Jackson-ish feel of cohesiveness throughout the album, where each song seamlessly segues to the next, sans the unnecessary interludes. Her vocals also sound healthier than they were on MOAIA, and have not been utilized and stretched this much since TEOM. This is also her least commercial yet most age-appropriate release yet. It serves as a lookback at her career - containing at least one song to represent a phase in her musical evolution, spanning her progression from adult contemporary pop, to R&B, to hip-hop, to urban, then retro soul. It ends up sounding like an amalgam of everything she has done before, which isn't bad, but isn't necessarily all good either. Every artist who's blessed to have a career with longevity is bound to release at least one retrospective chronicle of their journey at some point, and for her, if this is it, then it does the job really well. To me, this is on par with TEOM. While it does lack that album's radio-friendly appeal, but trumps it in terms of maturity and introspection. (Thursday 29 May 2014; 4:27)

That number 1 guy (44,241) by Gilbert from USA I went to Target to check to see if they had any more Mariah CDs and that kid's albums were right next to hers. But the idea I had was the reason this kid probably has high sales was because his CD is 7.99 and Mariah's is 16.99. (Thursday 29 May 2014; 4:13)

Randy (44,240) by TR from USA I'm not going to completely disagree with you. I do think MC gave the fans what we wanted. There is a song for each of her billions of fans on this album, and I love that it's a walk through R&B from the 60s all the way to now. I think it's one of the best urban albums she's done, production-wise, outshining E=MC2 and Memoirs IMO. Cry alone does that. In terms of lyrically poignant songs, yeah, Cry tries, but is a little bit weird. (Why would you want to hold each other until you break down in sorrow? "Guess it's selfish of me to just expect that I'm internally happy" - huh?) But the delivery of those lines... phenomenal. Supernatural, her singing "and the beat goes" along with Roc, and her belting notes from here to heaven. Phenomenal. MILG is missing a verse from Stevie (I mean how can you have Wale smothering YDKWTD, but you throw The Stevie Wonder a friggin harmonica?), but it's phenomenal anyway. She's drunk at the start of Dedicated, but it's smooth anyway. If there was one, Camouflage is lyrically in the vein of Petals and Sunflowers. Bottom line, sounds like she had fun and freedom to play. It certainly doesn't feel as rushed as Rainbow did with all those interludes, and Ex-GF, and Did I Do That, haha. Call it a throwaway for the label or whatever, the concept and production are A+. It's definitely as strong as Emancipation (except I do feel she didn't connect with OMT, and the wailing on Heavenly was all over the place and a bit too much for me). (Thursday 29 May 2014; 3:59)

My part (44,239) by Adam from US New member here. I feel like I've done my part. I've promoted Mariah on Facebook. At work. To my friends, family. I have downloaded the deluxe version. Bought the Target edition. Bought physical copies of the explicit deluxe and regular and the clean deluxe and regular. So, I've spent roughly $98 on her CDs. Which is a lot. Granted, not the $1,200 the fan spent on the plane ticket. I'm very disappointed Billboard says her sales are expected to be 65,000 or so. WTF? Has an album ever been that low in sales? Her MCIIY sold 56,000 but that's a holiday album. I am shocked at this low number. I felt for sure she's a lock for #1. Anyone else bummed? (Thursday 29 May 2014; 3:50)

Track-by-track thoughts (44,238) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines C. - Heavy start to the album. The vocals kick in and you know she means business. F - Would not have sounded out of place on MOAIA. "Echo" would have been a better title, though. D - A little bit too on the nose with the nostalgia concept, but works well thanks to the laid back vibe. #B - Flows well with the overall vibe of the album. Most commercial song. T - Sounds straight out of TEOM. The harmonious refrain saves it from being monotonous. MILG - She rarely does doo-wop, but when she does, she nails it every time. YM(E) - Has atmospheric quality that's reminiscent of MOAIA. YDKWTD - Single material, but sounds too sophisticated for radio right now, even with disco throwbacks being in vogue. S - Dembabies are cute, but there's a bit too much giggling in the song that somehow distracts from a stellar vocal performance. M - Another potential single. Her first song in a long while that, even in its original version, already sounds like a remix. C - While the staccatto singing in YM(E) lent a hypnotic effect, here it gives a subtle sense of pleading and longing. M($*/...) - Breezy jam that sounds like it was lifted from Charmbracelet. OMT - Lacks emotional depth of the original. A commendable technical effort, but sounds too pretty to be believable. H(NWT/CGUN) - Would have done much better without the background beats. Her best attempt at gospel since Fly Like A Bird. TAOLG- Would've been a perfect closer to the album only if it didn't already follow two long closing ballads. (Thursday 29 May 2014; 3:29)

MORE MESSAGES