The queen of sampling famous lines is back at it y'all, this time snatching the hook from My Boo, a 90's hit by the Ghosttown DJ's (where are they now?) Along with the infamous line, Mariah continues to get more in touch with her southern swag, adding Gucci Mane, Big Boi & OJ Da Juiceman to the remix. Hmmm... some things are better left alone Mrs. Cannon...

Audio: H.A.T.E.U. (REMIX)

ell... something like that. If you listen carefully, especially on I Wanna Know What Love Is, her vocal track gets turned up at certain points, when she's unsure if her voice is gonna hold out for the live performances. I love Mariah and I am a fan, but lets be real, she's a fraud to see live. The vocal track parts sound EXACTLY like the record, and we all know Mariah's actual live performances ain't sounded like her records since the 90's. Give up the ghost Mimi... literally. Props to her for throwing it back to Make It Happen and she sounded really good on H.A.T.E.U. 

The Good: Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel is an album that is reflective of a lot of Mariah’s previous styles and sounds. Betcha Gon’ Know is a strong album starter, vengeful and inspired. Similarly, Standing O bears that confrontational feel to it and both songs remind me of the confidence that emerged on The Emancipation of Mimi. Angels Cry is definitely one of my favorites, with a vulnerability that takes me back to the Rainbow album; same goes for Languishing. The Dream does some really good work on H.A.T.E.U which sounds inspired by Fourth of July, from the Butterfly album. Inseparable is classic new-age Mariah (an oxymoron, I know) – it gives you a great vocal but its simple and not overpowered. For the more sensual side, The Impossible and its reprise are excellent songs (loving the Jodeci interpolation!), sans some of the corny lyrics. Best vocal on the record is undoubtedly the Foreigner cover I Wanna Know What Love Is, and Ms. Carey puts out an excellent rendition.

The Ungood: There are some parts of this album that sound totally uninspired and beneath Mariah’s caliber in terms of quality. Up Out My Face gets my vote for worst track on the album… reprise included. It just sounds rather juvenile, and even in her younger days, Mariah didn’t do any songs that bad lyrically. Ribbon and It’s a Wrap sound like filler tracks, really uninspired and lacking a good push.

The Bottom Line: Even after allowing this album to grow on me it doesn’t do what I expect a Mariah Carey album to do for me. It’s not a FAIL, but it doesn’t blow me away either. This is the first time since her 1993 Music Box album that Mariah’s done an album with no guest appearances, and maybe that's what the project is lacking - versatility. Her return to glory may have begun with Emancipation, but it lost a little more spark with each of the two albums that followed. I won't blame Nick, but Mariah sounded better when she was living through something to sing about...

Sound-Savvy rates Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel with 3 out of 5 platinum headphones.

Music Monday continues. Here's 3 new tracks from Mariah Carey's "Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel" album, in stores September 29th. The whole album is produced by MC, Tricky Stewart, The-Dream & Los Da Mystro. Fire album. Check out these 3 tracks below.

DOWNLOAD: Mariah Carey - H.A.T.E.U.
DOWNLOAD: Mariah Carey - Standing O
DOWNLOAD: Mariah Carey - Ribbon

Why Mariah... why?!?! Gucci Mane doesn't even FIT in this video or on this song.

This must be someone's idea of a charity case to include a rapper as weak as Gucci Mane on a song with the woman who's scored 18 #1 hits in her career. What is this, an attempt to maintain the younger demographic? The original was decent, but this remix is garbage Mariah and you know like I know, you can do better. FAIL....

I think we can grant Mariah's vocals a pass for this horrendous rendition due to the emotional circumstances...

He're the first single from Mariah Carey's twelfth album Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel, in stores August 25th. Could this be a diss toward Emimem? You be the judge!


DOWNLOAD: Mariah Carey - Obsessed [CDQ]

It's a Dream Double-header today! Check out the Nick Cannon-directed video for My Love, from The Dream's sophomore LP Love vs. Money. Okay, I'm sooooo diggin this clip!! Everything from that hood-style Kool-Aid (Mariah betta pour that sugar!) to kickin' it on the front porch gettin the hair done. This song is about that long-term love! Before the fame, before the houses in the hills, it was all about that hood love and you can't know how real it is unless you've been there from the beginning. Love vs. Money album review comin soon!!

Check out this video for Mimi's re-recording of her 1993 hit Hero from the Music Box album. While I'm a huge fan of the original, this re-recorded version just doesn't do it for me. Mimi sounds like she's trying to prove that she can do what Mariah did, but I think it's a lost cause. Not that it sounds bad, it just doesn't exceed the original, and if you're not gonna do it better, then why bother?

Artist: Mariah Carey
Album: Merry Christmas
Release Date: 11.01.94

This year has been an especially different year for me when it comes to holiday cheer. I mean, here it is two days before Christmas and I’m just finding my holiday joy – but I found it in the one place I should have looked from the beginning: my music. I’m guilty this year of working too hard to remember that it really is the most wonderful time of the year. So waking up this morning to the sounds of All I Want For Christmas Is You by one of the most stunning voices of our time is all I needed to catapult me right into holiday heaven.

Merry Christmas is the Christmas album from Mariah Carey originally released more than 14 years ago as her first offering of holiday cheer. This is by far one of the best Christmas albums I’ve ever heard. It’s a spirited blend of traditional carols, holiday gospel and mild romantic love songs especially made for those mistletoe moments. Highlights on this project include her soulful rendition of O Holy Night, Jesus Born On This Day and Miss You Most (At Christmas Time). The stylized arrangements of Joy To The World, and Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town are also noteworthy standouts, but the entire album is a true treat for the season.

For anyone having trouble feeling the spirit of Christmas despite the lights and presents, the gatherings and cards, I offer you this album. The music therein was born in the era of Mariah, not Mimi – trust me, you’ll hear the difference. With the recommendation of this album, I wish you all the peace, blessings and good will that the spirit of Christmas brings to all who embrace it…

O Holy Night - Mariah Carey

All I Want For Christmas Is You - Mariah Carey

-Mack-

Well Mariah, I didn't realize you still had it in ya! Right To Dream is the lead single from the soundtrack to Mariah's new movie, Tennessee. This track is very soulful, from Mariah's sweet vocals to the plucks on the guitar that back this track. This is one of the most beautiful songs I've heard from her in recent years and was co-written with Willie Nelson. From the looks of the video, Mariah may have stepped up her acting skills too. The clips from the movie look great! The movie will be released in March '09 and the song is being pushed for the Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song. I think it definitely deserves it, check it out!