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About Chase from USA: I've been a fan of Mariah's since 1996, when I saw the video for "Always Be My Baby". Daydream was my first Mariah album and remains my number one, but other favorites include Butterfly, The Emancipation of Mimi, and Music Box. In 2000, I got to see Mariah live during the Rainbow Tour.

The current era (47,394) by Chase from USA I know there has been a lot of discussion about everything going wrong with this era. It's true, this will not go down in history as Mariah's career peak. That said, I enjoyed watching the news footage of her concert in Beijing. It seems her road management is doing the right thing by scheduling shows in cities/countries where she rarely performs and is still very respected. I'm sure it is exciting for Chinese fans to get a handful of shows from a Western artist of her caliber. As far as the new album, I honestly think it is her best effort since her '90s heyday, even if it's her least successful commercially. She gave us everything we love about Mariah (I think): the vocals, the lyrics, the R&B production, the uptempo tracks, and the big ballads. I'm not a huge fan of the cover art, but I'll accept it as another "self-portrait" (showing Mariah as she sees herself) like the drawing on the back cover. She'll get through this rough patch, just listen to the conviction she has on "Heavenly" and the joy she is on "Supernatural". (Sunday 12 October 2014; 16:54)

AIWFC (40,134) by Chase from USA I didn't think the performance was that bad. She sounded pretty much the way she's sounded on most televised performances in the past several years. It was a fair performance. I think 2008-2009 was a really bad period for her vocally, and the National Tree Lighting was not anywhere near that level of rough. If you're expecting her to perform the way she did in the nineties, it ain't happening. Those days are long gone. I'm happy she continues to perform for us, though I do get nervous for her. (Monday 9 December 2013; 5:38)

Merry Christmas II You (40,033) by Chase from USA I think this album perfectly complements the 1994 release. They each stand well separately, but they work even better together. Both are consistent, soulful, and (to use one of Mariah's favorite terms) festive. I think the 2010 album is actually a bit more mature and classy, though its predecessor will always be the best-loved original. Give me either, and I'm happy. (Friday 29 November 2013; 5:24)

The Art of Letting Go (39,881) by Chase from USA Aside from a few awkward lyrics, this is a gorgeous ballad and superb return to form for Mariah. The vocals are powerful, warm, and emotional. The blend of gospel and classic R&B, enhanced with the crackles and pops of an old record, feels like home to me. Whether this is a hit or not, it's got a permanent spot on my iPod. Isn't good music all that really matters, anyway? (Monday 18 November 2013; 3:43)

Joachim / nail polish (39,180) by Chase from USA You make some great points about #Beautiful and pop stars over 40. I think a number 15 peak is good for an artist of Mariah's age, though I believe the song deserved to go top 10. The music industry is unapologetically sexist and ageist, and few female pop artists maintain their popularity once they cross into their forties. Some of this also comes down to style. Mariah dominated in her genres (adult contemporary pop / mainstream R&B) in the 1990s, but those particular styles have shifted in popularity. She has updated her sound, and this has been both commercially successful (The Emancipation of Mimi) and unsuccessful (Memoirs). You mentioned Madonna's extraordinary ticket sales. Many artists over 40 continue to thrive in the industry by touring constantly. Because Mariah is not known as a performer (and often appears uncomfortable on stage), her growing assortment of commercial products (perfumes, holiday nail polish) probably keeps the checks rolling in as album sales continue to dwindle. (Monday 2 September 2013; 18:24)

Happy Birthday, Music Box (39,161) by Chase from USA Happy Birthday to one of my favorite albums. Yes, Music Box was highly formulaic and safe, but it also represented growth. Mariah toned down her vocals, and her increased influence is obvious in the production quality and feeling. Those trends continued with the brilliant Daydream and Butterfly albums. Music Box spawned some of her biggest hits, which stand out as timeless classics in an album of polished, classy filler. I enjoyed the Billboard article, and I agree Everything Fades Away should have been on the album. However, I absolutely love All I've Ever Wanted, and I am grateful for its inclusion. Whether adored or maligned, this is an important album. (Sunday 1 September 2013; 0:11)

Covers (39,132) by Chase from USA I am not fond of the Memoirs Of An Imperfect Angel album cover. I wouldn't be surprised if that cover impacted overall sales. I was embarrassed for Mariah, but what can I say? It's her image and her career, and she does not have to answer to me. I simply appreciate that she continues to make music. On another note, the album cover for Butterfly is brilliant. (Wednesday 28 August 2013; 23:44)

Rainbow (39,131) by Chase from USA Rainbow ranks aside the debut as my least favorite '90s album, but I appreciate the webmaster's love for that record. Heartbreaker is an infectious song and one of Mariah's best videos. The rest of the album often shows a more personal, "real" Mariah. Petals goes beyond Close My Eyes, and Can't Take That Away is a more personal take on the theme of Hero. I think Against All Odds is one of her best covers, and I consider it my favorite track on the album. Overall, I think Mariah was following the same formula behind Daydream and Butterfly, while increasing the r&b/hip-hop collaborations. For me, that makes much of Rainbow a bit stale and haphazard. Still, it is a strong album for its era, even if it wasn't up to Mariah's standards. Interestingly enough, I feel much the same about E=MC2, which is by far my least favorite of all of Mariah's albums. (Wednesday 28 August 2013; 23:41)

Re Allan / number ones (39,098) by Chase from USA I believe "Can't Let Go", "Without You", "Butterfly," and "Shake It Off" could have been number one hits. "Butterfly" had airplay in the US, although it was not commercially released and was ineligible to chart. The other three songs came very close to the top spot. In an interview, Trey Lorenz said Sony pulled "Can't Let Go" from the shelves when it reached number two. (Saturday 24 August 2013; 5:35)

Albums by Era (39,074) by Chase from USA 1990s 1. Daydream 2. Butterfly 3. Music Box 2000s 1. The Emancipation of Mimi 2. Charmbracelet 3. Merry Christmas II You (Thursday 22 August 2013; 16:39)

Favorite albums (39,034) by Chase from USA I believe Daydream and Butterfly best represent Mariah's '90s work, expertly blending pop, r&b and hip-hop with touching lyrics and truly expressive vocals. I became a fan during the Daydream era, and that album has a sentimental advantage. As a personal artistic statement, however, I believe Butterfly surpasses Daydream. The Emancipation Of Mimi is another expertly balanced, seamless record that stands head and shoulders above Mariah's other 2000s output. I do not care for E=MC2, which I find formulaic. I enjoyed Memoirs upon its release and consider it an improvement, but it has not stood the test of time with me. It's nice to see Charmbracelet getting praise. Lyrically, I believe this ranks beside Butterfly. It is easily my second favorite 2000s album, and I frequently listen to it. (Saturday 17 August 2013; 18:36)

Here I am, for all of them to bleed (38,681) by Chase from USA I think Mariah sounded beautiful at the hurricane benefit show. Her voice is strong, with an added huskiness that wasn't there before. So far, I've watched My All and Looking In. As I watch her standing there with a sling around her arm, singing live with a voice that shows wear and tear, and commanding the stage, I am overcome. She is showing us that she is human, she is real, and she is not afraid to share this moment with the world. After the lip synching controversy and criticism in recent weeks, the uncertainty of the album release date, and her injury, she sings, "Well, here I am, for all of them to bleed." I may have my share of complaints about the current state of Mariah's career, but I think this performance and what it represents says it all. This is why I love Mariah. This restores my faith. (Monday 15 July 2013; 5:41)

Looking In (38,676) by Chase from USA I am truly surprised and grateful that Mariah decided to perform this song. It was bittersweet to watch her tear up, but I am so grateful to see that she remains deeply connected to her music and her fans. This was a special moment for Mariah and her longtime fans. I wish her a speedy recovery and am beginning to feel a lot better about what lies ahead. (Monday 15 July 2013; 0:00)

Shoulder (38,615) by Chase from USA Mariah fell on the set during the video shoot and dislocated her shoulder. She is doing fine. I'm sure articles about this will be posted here soon. I am grateful she is okay. I hope her recovery is quick and relatively painless. (Tuesday 9 July 2013; 0:04)

Unreleased (38,600) by Chase from USA My favorite b-side is "Everything Fades Away". This song has such a rich, soulful tone and is deeply emotional and melancholy. It is an absolute injustice that it was not included on the US version of Music Box. Perhaps, like the similarly brilliant "Slipping Away", it was considered too R&B. (Sunday 7 July 2013; 2:30)

Confidence (38,590) by Chase from USA I hope the universally positive response to Mariah's July 4th performance will help her build the confidence she needs to continue to amaze us. I believe confidence is more than half the battle. When she really gives it her all, she can do it. (Saturday 6 July 2013; 6:59)

Fourth of July (38,578) by Chase from USA Mariah performed well on the special, particularly on Hero. I am happy for her. I hope we see more of the same in the future. (Friday 5 July 2013; 14:05)

My take on Mariah's voice (38,556) by Chase from USA Mariah exhibited incredible vocal command in virtually every televised performance from 1990 to 1996. During the Daydream era, her voice sounded thinner and higher, though it was still very powerful. During promotion for Butterfly in 1997 and 1998, it was clear something had changed. Mariah may have suffered vocal hemorrhage, like Adele during her tour. That may explain the sudden change. If not vocal hemorrhage, then perhaps over-singing with nodes took its toll by 1997. Maybe the changes resulted because she was enjoying late nights with "splashes" of champagne at smoky clubs, which she hadn't done before. That said, she is still one of the best singers in entertainment. She sounded phenomenal on tour in 2003 and again during her Christmas special in 2010, and her TEOM and Butterfly eras weren't too shabby. That bodes well for the future. No matter what, I believe she will always handle vocal struggles privately, and she has every right to do that. If she ever has vocal surgery, I believe it will be kept secret. (Thursday 4 July 2013; 1:50)

On a positive note (38,541) by Chase from USA Mariah looks fantastic in her Fourth of July bikini tweet. It is great to see she filmed another video for the #Hermosa remix. That reminds me of the new videos she filmed for remixes of My All, Heartbreaker, etc. (Wednesday 3 July 2013; 3:41)

Remix (38,495) by Chase from USA The latest remix, with Young Jeezy, is a major improvement. I loved hearing Mariah's new vocals and the fresh arrangement. That's what I'm talking about. (Monday 1 July 2013; 4:36)

Todd / Mariah as a human being (38,469) by Chase from USA I don't think many of us would claim to be musicians or attempt to put an album together, but since Mariah's been doing it for 23 years, as you've pointed out, we might expect her to be able to do so successfully. Especially since we've supported her career that entire time. I agree that recording albums is a profession, not a life, and I also agree that being a mother and wife is more important than recording hit singles and albums. I get it. She's a human being, and that's the most important thing. But let's face it: We only know the public Mariah. We only know the career woman. Even interviews, tweets, photos and the like are calculations and products. If she's sick of making music, if she's sick of her career, I'd rather she took a break instead of putting out weak or lazy material. The general public is not going to buy an album because they appreciate someone's humanity. Mariah's hardcore fan base can love and respect her as a human being, but we are also going to respond to the product we're getting. After all, we wouldn't be fans if we hadn't originally liked the product she made. (Saturday 29 June 2013; 18:32)

Billy (38,463) by Chase from USA I don't think it is sexist to express appreciation of Tommy Mottola's guidance. If Mariah were a man, I would say the same thing. I am also grateful the marriage is over and disgusted by the way Tommy treated her as a possession, not a wife. Also, I don't recall anyone saying they would jump off the bandwagon because of a few bad remixes. I believe we are frustrated because this is the latest in a long line of disappointments and lazy efforts. I admire and respect Mariah as a person, and I can separate that from my consumerism. If I choose not to continue purchasing her singles or albums following one disappointment after another, that does not mean I don't respect her as a person. In fact, I am thrilled she is a wife and mother of two beautiful twins. I haven't forgotten Mariah's talent, vision, and passion. Tommy didn't create that. I just wish she still delivered on the promise of her skill and creativity like she used to. (Saturday 29 June 2013; 4:33)

Fourth of July dress (38,456) by Chase from USA It reminds me of her outfit for the Behind the Music concert in 2005. She looks great. I hope the performance went well. (Friday 28 June 2013; 22:58)

She doesn't care (38,446) by Chase from USA Even when there is a great single and opportunity, she doesn't promote it. Even with a "flop" album like Charmbracelet, she hit the road, toured the world, released creative music videos, and was connected to the fans. Remember the Rainbow era, with the Heartbreaker video and the Homecoming show? She doesn't do anything special like that anymore. She was on her game with The Emancipation Of Mimi. There were promotions across the globe, radio and television interviews, performances of each new single across major networks. In this era of YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, etc. she could connect to her fans and the general public more easily and with less effort than ever before. She stopped caring after E=MC2 hit the shelves, and it has slowed ever since. This coincides with the beginning of a new chapter in her personal life. Getting married and raising a family is more important than a music career, but if she truly doesn't care about her career anymore, why not leave music for a while and quit insulting us with such poor productions? (Friday 28 June 2013; 17:09)

Situation (38,417) by Chase from USA Like many of you, I did not even finish the remix. #Beautiful itself is a good song, and now it's also a wasted opportunity. It won't be leading an album, it has been poorly and infrequently performed, promotion has been virtually non-existent, and the video and remixes represent how complacent and frustrating Mariah's output has become. I will continue to support Mariah if she truly gets into fresh, creative mode like she did for every new album of the 1990s and for The Emancipation Of Mimi in 2005. Since that release, it's been lazy, bland mode for her. Don't get me wrong; I mean it when I say Mariah's music has changed my life and remains in heavy rotation. I've given her the benefit of the doubt for nearly a decade of disappointment. At some point, she either needs to get it together, or I'm getting off the train. (Thursday 27 June 2013; 16:44)

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