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January 16, 2008 First Review: Mariah’s ‘That Chick’ & Janet’s ‘Discipline’
Words can’t express how excited I am about the new Mariah Carey album that will be entitled That Chick! My mind is racing with all the possibilities of what that title will mean in regards to the sound of the album which is set to be released in April! But anyway, DefJam had a listening session in London on Wednesday, where they played the majority of Mariah Carey and Janet Jackson’s new albums.
Here’s what Discopop had to say, even though the writer obviously wasn’t the biggest Mimi fan the review was still positive which says a lot.
So, Def Jam were showing off the two female jewels in their crown today with playbacks of the new Janet Jackson and Mariah Carey albums.
“Label Boss Antonio “LA” Reid seemed very excited about both of them, although that is his job, and mentioned plans for six singles from Mariah’s That Chick, which hits the stores in April.
Their old diva (in terms of contract, not age, of course) is Mariah, who is riding high after the 7xPlatinum-selling Emancipation Of Mimi.
We got to hear 10 tracks from the follow-up, That Chick, which I have to say sounded more polished and commercial than Janet’s effort.
One track in particular is set to make big bucks, and that’s Bye Bye – a torch song for people “who lost they grandmothers”. I guarantee that Simon Cowell will be sick of hearing badly-realised auditions of it by the end of the year.
Lyrics were never Carey’s strong point, mind you, so her paean to loss is summed up with not-very-insightful Hallmark platitudes like “I’d give the world to see your face” and “Life goes on”. Profound, eh?
Still, at least it’s better than when she desperately attempts to prove how bang up to date she is. In Touch My Body, she purrs to her lover: “If there’s a camera up in here then I best not catch this flick on youtube (youtube)”. Not exactly the sexiest boudoir come-on you’ve ever heard, is it?
But there are plenty of good tunes to counter the awesomely bad lyrics. Migrate, about a night out with Mariah while she wears jeans (”yeah, they fit”, she informs us) is sure to be a candidate for heavy MTV rotation, although I hope to god they excise T-Pain’s hopelessly strained vocals. Lovin’ You Long Time, meanwhile, is a strutting uptempo number very much in the style of It’s Like That.
So, what have we learnt from this listening “event”? Well, I wasn’t overwhelmed by the music – despite (or perhaps because of) the fact it was played so ear-splittingly loud that it felt like I was being punched repeatedly in the ears by a cyberman. Both artists have turned in a tuneful, competent set of R&B songs, but I’m not sure that any of them have the charisma or vitality to compete with the Rihannas and Beyonces of this world.
Both albums: 6/10 (scores may go up or down after further listens at levels tolerable to the human ear).
To read what they had to say about Janet Jackson’s Discipline CLICK HERE!
Tonya
January 16, 2008 at 6:39 pm
She looks pretty, I too am anticipating this album.
levity
January 16, 2008 at 6:41 pm
If that’s the album cover, I absolutely love it!!! It’s sexy, mysterious, and makes the statement “I’ve got something to show you…are you ready????”
It makes me wanna say “Who’s that chick?”
supergirllie
January 16, 2008 at 6:42 pm
I can’t wait im so excited! MIMI IS BACK!
DRB
January 16, 2008 at 6:56 pm
I don’t think that review is real. The site it came from isn’t well known, so why would they have the only review? It didn’t tell anything more than what we are all speculating. The lyrics sound so un-Maria h and she is a very strong writer.
Bye Bye is a ringtone she did for Pepsi in ‘06.
Heat, Touch My Body, Migrate, & I’m That Chick You Like are all confirmed, but yet there was no given detail on the tracks that sounds credible.
Listening parties are usually more publisized & why the UK, the place where she is bashed most.
LeadMyWay
January 16, 2008 at 7:26 pm
I agree with DRB, i jumped for the news out of anticipation/adoration for Mariah. But it doesn’t make sense, how come no stablished media music mag says a thing?
The only thing is the picture wich is obiously new… or unknown
GossipChick
January 16, 2008 at 8:27 pm
hey did u take this from perez?
B. Scott
January 16, 2008 at 8:32 pm
Nope boo boo… it clearly states Discopop as the source… please read the post carefully before asking these types of questions and if you must know I got it from Lynn at Mariahdaily.com.
levity
January 16, 2008 at 8:37 pm
Yes!!! Mariahdaily.com. That’s a great source of Mariah information and pictures. Any Mariah obsessed fan would know this. Love you, B!!
Marcus
January 16, 2008 at 8:39 pm
I like that pic. But that Title has got’s to go. She to old for that! Ive never been a fan of how she titles her albums. I love her music though.
j
January 16, 2008 at 10:11 pm
^ The above comment is so unintentionally funny! Who the hell is a fan of how an artist titles their album?
Anyhow, I’m shuddering with an-ti-ci-pa-tion to hear ALL the tracks on this undoubtedly hit album.
Much2much41
January 17, 2008 at 5:07 pm
I really hope Janet does well. Everybody else gets a second chance, and I see no reason why she shouldn’t get one. I also am looking forward to Mariah’s new album. She KILLED it her last time out, and I hope she does so again.
ART
January 17, 2008 at 9:28 pm
ummmm…clearly Mariah is a BOMB lyricist! BREAKDOWN, ONE SWEET DAY, WE BELONG TOGETHER, CAN’T LET GO, MUSIC BOX, I AM FREE, UNDERNEATH THE STARS, FOREVER, VANISHING, VISION OF LOVE, OUTSIDE, CLOWN, HEARTBREAKER, FANTASY…and those are just the BOMB lyrics I can think of at the top of my head. Clearly this person is lost somewhere.
SO EXCITED FOR JANET!
Umm…clearly Rihanna’s latest CD is “only” Platinum. That’s great, but he clearly got it twisted. So it sold the SAME amount of units as both of Janet’s and Mariah’s supposed flopps (Damita Jo/20 YO and Glitter/Charmbracelet). AND she had a BREAKOUT hit with Umbrella, and still ONLY PLATINUM! How many breakout hits did Janet and Mariah have from their “flopps”??? Thanks!
AND I don’t even have the engery to begin to talk about Beyonce. Those girls are trying to keep up with JANET AND MARIAH, and they WISH that in 20 years they will look as great as they do and be as successful. Mariah and Janet are at the TOP of all of Entertainment. They don’t have to try and keep up with nobody buy them-damn-selves!
baretree
January 18, 2008 at 11:49 am
I agree to Marcus comment, I mean, she’s 38 or almost (69/70 thing!) and using “chick” sounds a bit out of era, but also could do ok as an album title itself. The picture to me (contrary to what I’ve read) is terrible, so ugly… maybe ’cause I’m getting tired of seeing MC almost nude always with no reason (if there’d be a reason to do that) still I think that listening took place and the report is true. Her lyrics are ok, I understand what the critic said. What I love is her music and voice. Dying to read more about it! what about that supposed diff opinion bet Mariah and Antonio? you know, that Mariah is upset cause she wants Migrate as first single and Antonio (and most of the label) want i’m that chick you like as head single? can’t wait… and it’s been pushed back way too much