.

the album has leaked to the web today is going to be released Sep 29.

album cover:



tracklist:

1. Betcha Gon' Know (the prologue)
2. Obsessed
3. H.A.T.E.U.
4. Candy Bling
5. Ribbon
6. Inseparable
7. Standing O
8. It's A Wrap
9. Up Out My Face
10. Up Out My Face (the reprise)
11. More Than Just Friends
12. The Impossible
13. The Impossible (the reprise)
14. Angel (the prelude)
15. Angels Cry
16. Languishing (the interlude)
17. I Want To Know What Love Is

producers: Mariah Carey, Dream & Tricky Stewart, Big Jim Wright.

and yes, it is 100% rappers-free.
[Edited 9/21/09 13:54pm]

the album is pretty solid from top to bottom, it ain't even funny. so damn good!

the album opener is seriously killer.

one of the things i'm loving most about this album is the way she sings in it. you get the emotion even before you pay attention to the lyrics, especially the sarcasm.
the mellow moments are truly heavenly, too

jackie, did you listen to the songs in the right order yet? coz the flow is so pretty

Listening to it now. The opening track is amaaazing! The beat gave me so much life! I also like "H.A.T.E.U" and "Ribbon". Listening to The-Dream's demo's he did for this album made me like it.

PricelessHo said:

Yes, I'm listening to it in order, no skipping.

Checking it out now, picking it up Thursday possibly wednesday when it hits the mom and pops stores here in NYC, and for those of you worrying about street date violations affecting SoundScan numbers, IT DONT!

PricelessHo said:

Good to hear! I will definitely be getting this

OMG OMG OMG

*downloading*

Mixed Vibe first listen, good start then the dreadful single, (who thought she could outdo "touch my body" in terms of horrendous) There is alot of distortion on her vocal tracks, nothing really flys out though and nothing is horrible, except "obsessed".

Agreed^ Obssessed is HORENDOUS. It is so bad I have no desire to listen to the rest of that "album".

PricelessHo said:

SO true, I was listening to the album and one could get the sense that she was abit,,,,I don't know, jaded? This is a melancholy album,,,which is why I love it.

Betcha Gon Know - Good choice for an opener, would've done without the annoying "ayes" though.

Obsessed - Ya'll already know how I feel about this trash reject.

H.A.T.E.U. - This is def different,,,,,I like it from 1st listen.

Candy Bling - Love love looooove the Ahmad's reference great afternoon listen.

Ribbon - Meh!

Inseparable - I could see this get released as a single, it fits right in with the rest of the airplay. Decent though.

Standing O - Double meh!

Its A Wrap - Love the ode to Cissy Houston's high notes from Aretha's Ain't No Way. The song itself is a BIG proof that she pays alot attention to young Prince. Love the small "strings" sections, love the melody, love the lyrics, love the delivery love the WHOLE fine 9. My FAVE from the album just like I expected

Up Out My Face - This song reminds me of Janet for some reason.

The reprise - Better than the song,,,,I love ANYTHING that has to do with march bands.

More Than Just Friends - Another different thing,,,,this one is abit hit/mess.

The Impossible - Zapp Meet The Isley Bros ballad thats how I could sum it up.

Reprise - It reminds me of Bliss from "Rainbow".

Angel - Another BIG reminder of Bliss I could SO hear Big Jim playing those notes.

Angels Cry - This could be a hit,,,,,good song. The melody somewhat reminds me of One Sweet Day.

Languishing - This song reminds me of a tie between Butterfly, Close My Eyes & Petals.

IWKWLI - Love her rendition.

I was skeptical of the album,,,,,I'm SO glad that she put those skepticism to rest. Don't get me wrong, there're some ear farts here & there but the majority is a winner

And to Ray for giving a sister a heads up.
[Edited 9/21/09 17:29pm]

ya know it's really nice. seems like a grower. i just hope she and the fans don't expect a massive Mimi-like success with this one. it's just not that kind of BIG album. it's very soft from front to back. i dont hear any clear-cut smashes here. it's really more about the "book." i'm curious about this new direction for her. she has always been so preoccupied with hits. but here she's almost going the Mary or Faith route with a kind of slow r&b record. it's nice to see her change it up, though i do love to hear a really big MC record with those big big songs. or at least ONE big one. i guess i'll have to hear to it some more.

I'm definitely loving it. I really feel like this album is for the fans. She listened to (most of) us and gave us what we (mostly) like and that's the arrangements and the little details in the lyrics and her voice and the odes to some of her favorites.

I'm pretty much in love with It's A Wrap, H.A.T.E.U. and Impossible. As for airplay and hits? Who knows? I can't predict what gets played and what will be a hit but for myself, I like it and will definitely get played by me.

This is sooooo good I'm soo loving it

Betcha Gon Know was hot.

Candy Bling reminded me a lot of this a capella thang Brandy did on her Human album.

I adored the vocals on Inseparable.

Obsessed still makes me laugh

Up Out My Face made me laugh too

Mariah.