As a die-hard fan, I was treading with caution (if you’ll pardon the pun 😂) when reading this. However, there are several things I’d like to highlight:
1. Your research is impressive. Clearly you haven’t skipped any homework. I am sure this is par for the course for you, but it’s the first time I can actually attest to it considering how much I know about her.
2. For someone who is not necessarily a fan (as I am assuming is your case), I feel you have truly connected with the albums in ways other non-fans routinely fail to connect. The fact you then give fair and honest reviews with non-fans in mind is a very wise move as you are making an excellent introduction to someone who may not be familiar with her discography or with every single album she’s put out.
3. Subjectivities aside, I kinda agree with you on everything you said. I love Emotions for example but I know I love it because of the impressive vocals and slick production more than anything else. It may be really close to my heart but what you said is very fair. Just to add context (which in no way negates but rather complements what you said), there was a lot of pressure from her label for her to “deliver the goods” vocally speaking. At the same time, she was still finding herself as an artist and trying to solidify her identity.
4. Loved how you highlighted lyrics from Memoirs. Mariah doesn’t get enough credit as a songrwriter and, when she does, it’s often her deep/verbose/thesaurus rich vocabulary, not her comedy or humorous side (and she can be hilarious). Thank you for picking this up. Very few people do.
5. Charmbracelet is very close to my heart but can’t argue with the points you raised. At this point she was trying to reinvent herself, as you said, and it’s true that non-fans might not have the patience for it.
Thanks Andres! I'm glad to know the content (so far, anyway) is appealing to both super fans like yourself and more casual listeners, which I was before I dove headlong into this listening project. Definitely tried to up my game when it came to research and context connections, especially after my Madonna discography ranking series. I'm happy some of that translated. Appreciate your insights and comment, as always good sir :)
Thank you! To me, it’s very interesting to read the analysis and appreciation of her work from the perspective of someone like you who writes very well, is knowledgeable about music, takes the time to read, research and listen, *and* is not a die-hard fan. Sometimes as fans we are blinded by our love so this brings a whole new perspective.
I also love how you are writing from your subjective perspective as a listener and what the music made you feel (regardless of how revered or trashed certain albums might have been by the mainstream press). For example, Music Box sold 30 million units worldwide (at least), and I loved your ballsy move of ranking it so low because, well, there’s a lot of Babyface and schamlzy stuff in there 😂which I know might not be your cup of tea.
Needless to say if there’s any info or context you may need or if I can help in any way don’t hesitate to give me a shout but I have no doubt you’re doing a great job 👏🏻
I've never been a big Mariah Carey fan so I don't think I've listened to any of these all the way through except for maybe Emotions which I thought was okay.
As a die-hard fan, I was treading with caution (if you’ll pardon the pun 😂) when reading this. However, there are several things I’d like to highlight:
1. Your research is impressive. Clearly you haven’t skipped any homework. I am sure this is par for the course for you, but it’s the first time I can actually attest to it considering how much I know about her.
2. For someone who is not necessarily a fan (as I am assuming is your case), I feel you have truly connected with the albums in ways other non-fans routinely fail to connect. The fact you then give fair and honest reviews with non-fans in mind is a very wise move as you are making an excellent introduction to someone who may not be familiar with her discography or with every single album she’s put out.
3. Subjectivities aside, I kinda agree with you on everything you said. I love Emotions for example but I know I love it because of the impressive vocals and slick production more than anything else. It may be really close to my heart but what you said is very fair. Just to add context (which in no way negates but rather complements what you said), there was a lot of pressure from her label for her to “deliver the goods” vocally speaking. At the same time, she was still finding herself as an artist and trying to solidify her identity.
4. Loved how you highlighted lyrics from Memoirs. Mariah doesn’t get enough credit as a songrwriter and, when she does, it’s often her deep/verbose/thesaurus rich vocabulary, not her comedy or humorous side (and she can be hilarious). Thank you for picking this up. Very few people do.
5. Charmbracelet is very close to my heart but can’t argue with the points you raised. At this point she was trying to reinvent herself, as you said, and it’s true that non-fans might not have the patience for it.
Extremely solid work throughout 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Thanks Andres! I'm glad to know the content (so far, anyway) is appealing to both super fans like yourself and more casual listeners, which I was before I dove headlong into this listening project. Definitely tried to up my game when it came to research and context connections, especially after my Madonna discography ranking series. I'm happy some of that translated. Appreciate your insights and comment, as always good sir :)
Thank you! To me, it’s very interesting to read the analysis and appreciation of her work from the perspective of someone like you who writes very well, is knowledgeable about music, takes the time to read, research and listen, *and* is not a die-hard fan. Sometimes as fans we are blinded by our love so this brings a whole new perspective.
I also love how you are writing from your subjective perspective as a listener and what the music made you feel (regardless of how revered or trashed certain albums might have been by the mainstream press). For example, Music Box sold 30 million units worldwide (at least), and I loved your ballsy move of ranking it so low because, well, there’s a lot of Babyface and schamlzy stuff in there 😂which I know might not be your cup of tea.
Needless to say if there’s any info or context you may need or if I can help in any way don’t hesitate to give me a shout but I have no doubt you’re doing a great job 👏🏻
Very excited for the post in the series where Glitter gets justice!! 😂
YES it’s coming!
I've never been a big Mariah Carey fan so I don't think I've listened to any of these all the way through except for maybe Emotions which I thought was okay.
Maybe this series will add a couple to your list. :)
Thanks
She lost me after her third album. I prefer her earlier ballads