September 29, 2009 Album Review: Mariah Carey – Memoirs Of An Imperfect Angel
Mariah Carey’s 12th studio album, Memoirs Of An Imperfect Angel is on sale today (Amazon, iTunes)! I’ve been listening to this album non-stop since last week and I can honestly say that this is some of her best work. The album was produced almost entirely by The-Dream, Tricky Stewart, and Mariah herself and it’s clear that they have an undeniable chemistry as I feel this album is one of her most personal and cohesive albums to date.
Continue reading for my review of Mariah’s Memoirs…, as well as a sneak-peek of the iTunes LP!
“Betcha Gon’ Know” – Mariah opens the album with this dramatic account of a woman walking in on a cheating lover. The hard-hitting production, combined with Mariah’s upper register over the hook really makes the song a powerful introduction and sets the tone for the rest of the album.
“Obsessed” – The album to the only real up-tempo moment. I still love the track and I think it was a great summertime jam.
“H.A.T.E.U.” – One of the album highlights, in my opinion. The overall production is the same as the leaked demo, but Mariah’s lyrics are what make this song so special. It’s easy to get caught up in the overall emotion of the song…if you’ve ever broken up with someone, this song is definitely for you. I also like the slight vocal effect she uses right before the hook. Genius.
“Candy Bling” – This was one of the most anticipated tracks after hearing rave reviews from the various listening parties. It samples the 1994 hit “Back in the Day” by Ahmad, however the track is probably one of the most ‘modern’ tracks on the album as far as the production goes, as most of MOIA has a real throwback vibe.
Speaking of throwback, “It’s A Wrap” is probably the strongest track (vocally) on the entire album. The-Dream’s Mowtown inspired production takes a backseat and lets Mariah’s vocals really shine. Her ‘in your face’ delivery finds Mariah sounding the best she has since her Emancipation days. Other highlights include the Jodeci influenced “The Impossible” and the super catchy “Up Out My Face” where Mariah’s tongue-in-cheek lyrics provide for an extremely entertaining and catchy break-up anthem.
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Even though Mariah had her hands all over this album, some tracks are very reminiscent of The-Dream’s previous work like the lyrically sarcastic “Standing O” and bass heavy “Ribbon.” The songs themselves are great and radio ready, but I would have liked to have heard something a bit more innovative, simply because I know what both artists are capable of. I was pleasantly surprised when I heard the pop radio-friendly “Angels Cry.” I think the best way to describe this song would be to call it the “We Belong Together” of MOIA, simply because it has that classic Mariah sound that we’re used to.
Memoirs Of An Imperfect Angel is an amazing album from start to finish. While some people may be looking for a dynamic range of songs, this album stays pretty much along the same lines of classic sounding mid-tempos and ballads…but that’s not a bad thing. For this album, Mimi decided to take a break and let Mariah return in full force (without any features or guest appearances) and it’s great to have her back!
Check out what other people had to say about the album:
AP Review: Carey’s ‘Imperfect Angel’ is perfect [Link]
Boston Herald Reviews Memoirs [Link]
New York Times Reviews Memoirs [Link]
If that isn’t enough for you, check out some screenshots from the iTunes LP version of the album.
iTunes LPs are enhanced digital versions of albums made for your computer. The digital version of MOIA comes with interactive menus, behind the scenes videos, both videos for Obsessed and the remix ft. Gucci Mane, and a story-book interface complete with photos and lyrics to every song. For $11.70 (regularly $12.99) it’s definitely worth the price.
Brandon
September 29, 2009 at 1:15 am
Oh B. Scott!! You’re the greatest. I just got the preorder of the album too and the iTunes LP is EXQUISITE!! How impressive.. it has all of the lyrics, her handwritten Obsessed lyrics, AMAZING pictures, and of course, all of the incredible songs. This album takes me on a journey and the it is growing on me so much. Thanks for making all of us lambs proud, B.!!
Brandon
September 29, 2009 at 1:19 am
Oh, and B… it was only $11.70 because you did the preorder where you got “I Want To Know What Love Is” right away, so they charged you for that single ($1.29), then charged the rest of the $12.99 when the album came out.
FRANK
September 29, 2009 at 1:21 am
This is one of her BEST albums yet! She thanks her fans first! very touching! she luv her sum lambs!!!
KP
September 29, 2009 at 1:23 am
Cool!
Go Mimi i love the album personally
jay
September 29, 2009 at 3:20 am
I jUST LOVE IT ¡¡¡¡ SINCE THE LAST 2 ALBUMS I GOT MORE RESPECT FOR MARIAH,,,SHE STARTED TO EXPERIMENT WITH BOLD and edgier SOUNDS and her lyrics are more mature than before ,,,NOW IN THIS 3RD ONE SHE GETS BACK TO MID TEMPOS AND BALLADS ,,,BUT ITS SUPERB ,,I JUST LOVE IT ,,I just cant stop listening to it (along with whitney´s album)¡¡
Serenity
September 29, 2009 at 4:07 am
Your review is so dead on; and I’ve been noticing that we usually do agree! However, I would be remiss not to mention “Angels Cry”. This single has the potential to ease broken hearts.
OMG, I am so looking forward 2 your interview with Ms. Mariah. I know it’s going to be “as only u can bring it”!
SerenityHappens4U
TEDDY SIM
September 29, 2009 at 4:58 am
I LOVE U B.SCOTT. CAN SOMONE MURDER PEREZ HILTON ALREADY?
Hyman
September 29, 2009 at 5:37 am
Hey B I love your review of the album!! I agree! Being a 90’s child and young adult now 24, this reminds me of my childhood and the music just feels so good!!! I’m happy to see Mariah happy!!!!! I just wish the comparisons to other living legends and divas would stop. We should all just unite. Anyways I twitted u http://www.twitter.com/HymanBrown follow me 2 lol. I know u get so many hits sos responding to everyone is impossible. But I have this great idea for when you interview with M.C. Do Bianca she will love it, but become the new Bianca who is now a fan or play it off like Bianca is finally admitting to be “Obsessed”, and discussing her issues. And then a real interview segment. What do you think?
LuvHer
September 29, 2009 at 6:32 am
yes ma’am…..i am picking up my physical copy today!! despite the lack of promo, i think she will do very well. and umm…..why do i have a feeling that she’s pregnant? *fingers crossed* hope so.
as for the album, i think Standing O is the best uptempo on here. hope she releases it as a single.
Spicy Goddess
September 29, 2009 at 7:10 am
I generally don’t read or listen to reviews…. I know what I like…. and Memoirs is a great album….. LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rod
September 29, 2009 at 9:41 am
IIIIIIIIIIII……………………………………. dunnnooooo…!!! But i love MC don’t get me
wrong but. I’m boot legging this one.. cause I want my #1 Girl Whit… To stay
on Top….LOL!!! MATTER OF FACT I’M GOING TO BY WHIT’S ALBUM AGAIN
THIS WEEEKKKK….. I LOOK TO YOU…. WHITNEY..!!!!!!!! ALL THE WAY……….
mc20012003
September 29, 2009 at 10:20 am
Rod. That’s cold. Lol. But Mariah will be #1 reguardless so u might as well buy it in stores. Lol. But wow. I love this cd. It is so hot. From top top bottom. Every song is a hit. This is the first time since Butterfly she has done an entire album with hits like this. I love the lyrics in Betcha Gon Know and Impossible.
mc20012003
September 29, 2009 at 10:21 am
Rod. That’s cold. Lol. But Mariah will be #1 reguardless so u might as well buy it in stores. Lol. But wow. I love this cd. It is so hot. From top to bottom. Every song is a hit. This is the first time since Butterfly she has done an entire album with hits like this. I love the lyrics in Betcha Gon Know and Impossible.
J
September 29, 2009 at 10:44 am
some songs are ok but i hate the whisteling voice and it’s on every track, can’t the girl just sing like a normal person instead of whisteling, she’s not selling phone sex but music!
Terrell
September 29, 2009 at 10:54 am
Lol @ROD… Theres room for both divas.. They both have been doing this for years!! It’s MC week this week!! Whitney Houston is forever my girl. I just became MC fan with this album. First one I ever Brought.
Mike
September 29, 2009 at 11:14 am
B. Scott you are the best
Mariah is the greatest and this cd is amazing finish to end. Though I have to say, I’m not really feeling The Impossible like a bunch of other people. I don’t know, it’s kinda boring to me, but aside from that, every other song is wicked!!!! And I agree with what some wrote up top, someone please knock out that pathetic perez hilton. He is always insulting Mariah. I really hope she never gives him the time of day, seriously. ANNND, WHAT’S THIS I AM HEARING ABOUT YOUR INTERVIEW WITH MARIAH? Why am I only reading this now???????? WHEN IS THIS HAPPENING? Somebody tell me pleeeeeeeeeease 
YUUUP
September 29, 2009 at 11:27 am
Just got my copy and this cd is FIYAHHHHHHHHHHHH!! From top to bottom a very solid album.
mary
September 29, 2009 at 12:55 pm
im so glad that there aren’t too many comments comparing whitney and mariah’s albums today. just listened to mariah’s, and she has a few songs that i could play all day.
Whitneysfan2002 (KylanJacobs23)
September 29, 2009 at 12:58 pm
Purchased Angels Cry & Standing O & I Want To Know What Love Is.
Mariah.Madonna.Barbara what a week for those interested.
I just wanna see the numbers!
honeybfly1980
September 29, 2009 at 1:24 pm
“Its a wrap” is my favorite song. Love the old school feel. I love this whole album. Will be picking up my copy today. I love Mimi
TJ
September 29, 2009 at 2:08 pm
BEST ALBUM EVER!
If you liked Butterfly, you will love MEMOIRS!
piscean129
September 29, 2009 at 2:30 pm
B. first off hanks for the album preview it had me counting down until this morning when I searched two different Walmarts early this morning just so I could have it for work today. Mariah is well can I say Mariah…. I LOVE this album especially H.A.T.E.U she is and has ALWAYS been a GREAT singer/songwriter and I am privledged to be a fan. Lets get this album into the #1 spot where it deserves to be,
Curvaceous
September 29, 2009 at 3:46 pm
I love a lot about this CD and hate a few things. Mariah is the best and she did her thing giving fans great new music. Yay Mimi.
dani
September 29, 2009 at 7:44 pm
if the ads didn’t hint it, then this review does. you are DEF getting paid for all this praise bscott. shame.
team perez.
parisboy
September 29, 2009 at 7:48 pm
she got 1 star rating from the ny daily mail…. i woild have been more generous and give 2!! yawn so boring
TheMan
September 29, 2009 at 9:54 pm
I hate to be the odd man out, but its not that great. LOVE Angels cry, HATE U, It’s a wrap and i want to know what love is, everything else is too much Dream, he needs to evolve as a writer and producer after a few songs, his works starts to sound alike and she is not really singing and that is taking away from how hot some of the tracks could be.
The Official PYT
September 30, 2009 at 2:14 am
I do not like this album at all. I don’t like not one song on it. The lyrics are so stupid and childish.
rihanna#1
September 30, 2009 at 4:03 am
This Cd Is Addictive I can remember the last time i was stuck on a cd, MEMOIRS OF AN IMPERFECT ANGEL IS……………..PERFECT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It Has Everything Even Laughter Like On the Ending Of Up Out My Face (If W Were 2 Lego Blocks……… LOL Angels Cry IsBy Far And Awy My Fav Song, Betcha Gon Know Is Super I Love How She starts Off The Album. I Like Obsessed But It seem SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Out Place Here!!! This Cd Is A Classic I Hope It goes #1 Plz Go Buy this Record!! I Love U Mimi Took A Break On this 1 Is all Mariah Here!!! Best Album Of The Year Can’t Stop Playing it. Its # On My Ipod play List!!!
kboug22
September 30, 2009 at 6:40 am
I am a big MC fan and I disagree with some people who say that her lyrics are maturing. I think MC’s lyrics have always been very creative and mature. She is using them very cleverly.. I do love this album! I hope people give her credit where credit is deserved on this one! thanks for the great review! “I should Crack you Right in yo’ Forehead!..so just scooo doo doo doo doo!” “IT’S A WRAP” is my fav track off the album
FiercerMC
September 30, 2009 at 9:07 am
I’m playing her CD non-stop!!!
Mariah is always on top of her game!!!
and did i read that you’re gonna interview her?
oh wow!! i will be looking forward to that!
Javonni Brustow -- Media Mogul
September 30, 2009 at 9:22 am
I can’t believe people think that B Scott is getting paid for giving a good review. He seems to always like Mariah’s material and considers himself a fan. One thing I do have to say is that B Scott is a very positive person which I admire and he doesn’t go out of his way to insult artists and he isn’t evil in his reviews. He may be getting something for marketing the release but I think either way he would have posted a fair review. It is a good album and has received mostly good reviews. The only downside is the overabundance of slow songs but people are happy to see her maturing musically here.
Regal
September 30, 2009 at 12:51 pm
It’s a Wrap is Not a Single. Wrap the album up and store it.
Junior
September 30, 2009 at 8:05 pm
Just Officially Got the Album Nd Im in LOVE!!!
MAriah Killed It Vocally!!! Probably some of her best work ever!!!!
Favorite tracks Are:
Betcha Gone KNow
H.a.t.e u
Ribbon
The Impossible
Angels Cry
And Of Course The Kiss off Record ‘Standing O”
She Brought it on this album
Vocally She killed it
Lyrically She mURDered It!!!
Loving everything bout this record including the Package it came in!….This album deserves alot of success…Her Strongest Record Since Butterfly!!!!!!
Reminds me alot of Butterfly nd Charmbracelet……LUV IT!!!!
alex
October 3, 2009 at 3:10 am
tough I don´t feel that anysong on the cd its similar as butterfly ,,I really love it ,,Mariah have grow a lot since her last 3 albums ,,and this cd I just cant stop hearing it ¡¡¡¡¡
ty2phine
October 11, 2009 at 8:33 pm
The Standout hit on this Cd is STANDING O….it’s in the same vein as Single Ladies and Rihanna’s Umbrella with the right video
NOT A BEAUTY piece of mariah layin on the ground or some bullcrap.
Standing O is Mariah at her best. she is giving it vocally, lyrically, and it’s an ANTHEM.
If they don’t slay the charts, i’d be surprised. BUt i’m sure IDJ will kill the single, just like they did THANKS for NOTHING off the last CD
night
December 1, 2009 at 1:12 am
omg i love mariah carey she is so cool even now that she gan a little bit of weight she is still cool