Second Chance Saturday: Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel

 Mariah Carey has certainly changed over the years. From her early days of big hair and power ballads, to the R&B princess, to the stiletto-wearing sex-kitten, to Glitter breakdown, to comeback, to diva, every album offers a little something different. Her last album (excluding Merry Christmas II) failed to produce hit singles like it should have, but that’s why I created Second Chance Saturday, so other people who may not know this album even existed can now give it the attention it deserves!

After her back-to-back comeback with The Emancipation of Mimi and E=MC², she came back swinging with the hater-calling-out “Obsessed”. She’s always had some weird tiff with Eminem. Whether they’ve actually gotten together romantically in the past or not, it certainly makes for some interesting music battles. This time around, Mariah Carey went so far as to dress up like him in the music video. I mean, I don’t remember Eminem ever having a goatee, but whatever helped! The song was catchy, auto-tuned, and memorable.

The next single (which I admit is actually the only forgettable song on the album) was her cover of “I Want To Know What Love Is”. That’s all…

But then we finally get somewhere with her third single “H.A.T.E.U.”. From the signature Tricky Stewart sound, to the slow rhythm, and the whisper vocals, everything was so sweet and beautiful. It’s a shame that it didn’t get the success it deserved.

And after the first three singles failed to make it big, they started plans for a re-release with guests on every song. The first single was “Up Out My Face” with the emerging star that was Nicki Minaj! It was cute, upbeat, and lots of fun, but once again it failed to make a lasting impression.

So they went ahead with another single in “Angels Cry” featuring Ne-Yo. It was classic-styled Mariah Carey song, in the same field as “We Belong Together” and “I Stay in Love”. But sadly, it didn’t have the same power. Beautiful, poignant, and rich!

With the singles aside, the album from start to finish is impeccable (well, minus the last song which is “I Want To Know What Love Is”). Everything flows together so wonderfully and is literally music to my ears!

In a nutshell: we have the haunting “Betcha Gon’ Know (The Prologue)”, the sweet and tasty “Candy Bling”, the ruff-rider gem “Ribbon”, the lovely memories in “Inseparable”, the strong-willed independence in “Standing O”, the drunk diva fierceness in “It’s a Wrap”, the bumping rider “More Than Just Friends”, the slow grind seduction in “The Impossible”, the part 2 seduction with “The Impossible (The Reprise)”, the heavenly “Angel (The Prelude)”, and the bittersweet closer “Languishing (The Prelude)”.

After a two-album winning streak, this one failed to live up to its predecessors. But it was impeccable and beautiful in every way possible, which is why it is so heartbreaking that it wasn’t a huge success like it should be. I remember when it was released that it came up in 3^rd place behind Paramore and Barbra Streisand. I love listening to new music and going back to it later and reminiscing about the time I first listened to it. I love when music can take you back to a time and place. This album for me is one of the standouts in my memory that takes me back to my first semester outside of high school. I was working, going to school, and getting to spend time with my family and friends. I was also listening to this album around the same time that I “came out” to my family and friends in November 2009. So needless to say, there is some great significance to this album. I’m still pulling for that remix album that was never released (guests were supposed to include Mary J. Blige, Alicia Keys, R. Kelly, Ludacris, Jodeci, and Kanye West among others). Here’s to hoping for another big comeback for the one and only Mariah!

Second Chance Saturday: 4

This Saturday posting is now dedicated to the songs, music videos, albums, movies, and anything else that deserves a second chance. Whether it was poorly received by others, not given enough attention, or just wasn’t seen or heard of by many, it’s time that I give it the proper attention and credit it deserves.

And what better way to start this off than with the outstanding woman that is Beyoncé. I know what you’re thinking, “what is there that Beyoncé has done that needs a second chance?” Well besides a couple of her movies (Fighting Temptations, Obsessed…) when it comes to her music, 4 is seriously and mistakenly underrated.

She was away from the game for a couple of years. She took time off for herself, and everyone (myself included) was waiting for the day when she would return. And she did so with such dignity, maturity, and grace. “Run the World (Girls)” is a big song, it should have been given more respect than it actually received! She continued her girl-power demeanor, she showed up and killed it when she performed at both the Billboard Music Awards and Oprah’s finale spectacular. And let’s not forget about the fierceness she brought to the video.

Then we have “Best Thing I Never Had”, a bittersweet anthem that proves Beyoncé still has some angst towards previous flings. In the spirit of “Irreplaceable”, she looked towards a brighter day, a time in her life now when she can laugh about being with the wrong man, and being eternally grateful for the love and life she has now.

Next up was “Countdown”, in the same field with party songs like “Get Me Bodied”, “Freakum Dress”, and “Upgrade U”. She went hard in every way possible. From the beat intertwining 70’ funk and 80’s pop/R&B, she counts down the things that have her all dressed up in love. And could anyone else catch the foreshadowing of “trying to make us 3” lyric…

And then we get to “Love on Top”, my absolute favorite from the album. I was a fan from the second I heard the song on the day the album was released. There was something so beautiful and so pure about it. It brought back the days of Earth, Wind, & Fire, with a touch of 80’s Whitney Houston and “P.Y.T.” Michael Jackson. And when you really listen to the lyrics and her voice, you can just feel how happy she is and what a great man she has in her life. And let us certainly not forget her genius performance at the VMA’s when she (as only Beyoncé can do) announced to the world that she and her hubby Jay-Z were bringing a baby into the world!

With the singles aside, everything about the album is a step up from her previous efforts (which are all outstanding in their own ways). It blends well, they all complement each other so well, and they show us a mature, beautiful woman reaching the age of 30, with all of the great things she’s accomplished in her life.

In a nutshell: we have the beauty and grace in “1+1”, the bitterness and strength in “I Care”, the longing and heart-wrenching in “I Miss You”, the retro and upbeat “Party”, the Chi-lite’s-inspired throwback in “Rather Die Young”, the honesty in “Start Over”, the experimental genius in “End of Time”, the pure and powerful “I Was Here”, the fun jam “Lay Up Under Me”, the funky fierceness in “Schoolin’ Life”, and the sensual seduction in “Dance For You”.

It was shut out from the Grammy’s (minus the one nomination it received for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for “Party”). It deserved an Album of the Year, Best Pop Vocal, Best R&B Vocal, and certainly a Best R&B album nomination, never mind the fact that none of the singles reached the Top 10 on the charts in the US. The album still debuted at #1 the week it was released, but in the year of ADELE, it didn’t match the same kind of success. Nowadays, music is all about the thumping bass, the pop lyrics, the party rocking, and the techno craze that doesn’t seem to be going away all the time. Everything on the radio (while catchy and fun) sounds like one mega song. But then there are gems like ADELE and Beyoncé who release pop music that’s different and original. Sure she has her influences, but Beyoncé stayed true to what SHE wanted to sing and write about. And now that she’s 30, happily married, and a glowing mother now to her baby Blue Ivy (a stage name all on its own), I urge everyone who hasn’t yet given this album a listen to a second chance!!!