1) Does Mariah need an image make over to get back on top?

2) Can Mariah compete with fresh blood like Beyonce Knowles?

3) Her last album was very good, but 4 some reason it didn't blow up..what went wrong?

4) Is Mariah's pop success over and done with and just regulated to loyal fans?

goat2004 said:

4 million loyal fans?! sounds ok, but will see what her next album does

goat2004 said:

1. Yes. I really think she made a mistake going slutty and trashy. What was up with that? People liked her because she was a classy girl with a classy voice, and to cheapen her image cheapened the whole package by association. She acted like she was a 13-year-old girl who had just discovered her tits. Please, girl, 50% of the population has them - get over it!

Her nervous breakdown, unfortunately, has made her the butt of a public joke that likely will not die. I don't know how she'll overcome it.

2. I don't like to make judgements about an artist's future, but if forced to make a prediction I'd have to say "no" to this question. Mariah is approaching her mid-30s and still putting out the same sort of material she has for the past 9 years or so (ca. 1995 and her hip hop transformation). I really don't sense artistic progression or any feeling of excitement in her records any more. "Butterfly" was probably her artistic peak, at least in terms of trying something different. People have wildly different opinions on the quality of that album, but I really liked it.

She must reinvent herself if she wishes to survive. The diva of 10 years ago is no longer commercially viable (witness the relative failure of golden girl Celine Dion's "One Heart" and "A New Day Has Come"), and has been replaced with a new flavour - the sexy R&B chanteuse (Beyonce et. all).

Another thing I think must be mentioned is that Mariah's voice just isn't what it was 14 years ago (even 5 years ago). It sounds tired and strained on Charmbracelet, and it's almost an ugly thing to hear the difference between that album and her earlier recordings.

She is also considered to be a done deal at pop radio. Her songs are now officially relegated to the AC-only dumping zone.

3. "Charmbracelet" has sold 1.1 million copies in the US (3.5 million worldwide), so it's not exactly a failure, but it sure isn't a "Butterfly" or "Daydream". This is a typical case of an artist past their commercial prime. Without reinvention, this is the norm for an artist.

Another thing is that, when you listen to the record, no song "hooks" you like her singles used to. It kind of blends together into one long line of sub-par R&B-lite filler ("Boy (I Need You)", "You Got Me"), sorta-kinda-jazz/gospel numbers ("Subtle Invitation", "My Saving Grace") and factory AC pap ("Bringin' On The Heartbreak", "Through The Rain"). Sure it's pretty but none of it's distinctive. Indeed, my favourite song on the album is "Clown", which is something she really hasn't tried before. I really love that song. It's something with lyrics beyond Mariah's usual variation on "I love you/I miss you/ I want you baby".

Many songs (especially the "My All" clone "I Only Wanted") also sound uncannily like her previous material so people probably said "blah" and left it on the shelf.

4. Mariah's success depends on her letting SOMEONE ELSE write songs that are hook-filled, different from what we're used to (try dance perhaps). She is obviously incapable of this on a large scale at this point in time. We don't need any more fluffy album titles or 13-year-old-girl lyrics. We need a good setlist, some decent hooks and a return to good voice from Mariah. If this doesn't happen, then I'm afraid that, yes, she won't find success on a massive scale again.

twink69 said:

That's not an answer to the question . Beyonce seems to be styling herself after Donna Summer, not Mariah Carey.
[This message was edited Tue Feb 17 17:10:18 2004 by VoicesCarry]

Mariah's problem is that people are simply tired of her.That's what happens when you keep releasing albums without evolving and trying new things.Her last three or four albums are interchangeable.It's the same formula.Nobody doubts her talent,but she really needs to take it to the next level.The whole "hip-hop-loving,scantily-clad goody-two shoes pop songstress" role is wearing thin.

Mariah is extremely talented and I'm sure she will bounce back someday.But she needs to work with different producers,try some new sounds,and maybe reinvent herself every now and then.Her music has become predictable and boring.At this point,I'd be more excited if she did an aggressive dance album aimed solely at the clubs.Or a rock album.
[This message was edited Wed Feb 18 5:13:13 2004 by DavidEye]

DavidEye said:

A dance record is PERFECT for her. That remixes pop side is DOPE. It fits her perfectly.

She needs a personal album like "Velvet Rope" where Janet..she tries all kinds of sounds and changes her voice and gets mysterious.

Mariah needs 2 follow that direction.
[This message was edited Wed Feb 18 13:13:20 2004 by paisleypark4]

She has been talking about a dance/house album since 95!!
David Morales has been trying to get her to do one with him in the style of Marsha Walsh and Jocely Brown
But he said she keeps putting off and that her heart was with hip hop
But she said she will do one!! David Morales has said she has a huge following in the club secene. He has told her he refuses to work with her again until she agrees to do an original dance song or album instead of remixes with him (Mariah is his favourite artist he has worked with, they make the best remixes)

twink69 said:

I really love dance music but never really know what is good so I don't own much. I would go as far as saying that someone such as myself who has never been that impressed with anything she has put out...I might even by a full dnace album if she released one. I've been that impressed with the remixes I've heard of hers though. David Morales is right when he says she should do an original dance song or album. At this point, could it really hurt?

VinnyM27 said:

David Morales is s*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o 1995. Sorry.

I've been a big fan of Mariah's since 'Vision Of Love' so this is what I think:

1) Does Mariah need an image make over to get back on top?

"Yeah I think so. She's gone abit far with the T&A thing. Britney et al have 2 sell their music on sex appeal alone cuz they have mediocre talent. Whilst Mariah is a great singer and shouldn't try 2 compete against Britney, Christina etc. etc. So 2 answer ur question, yes a return 2 Mariah's old image would help record sales and appeal 2 a more diverse audience as the T&A thing has lost her alot of her audience IMO. But ofcourse its Mariah herself who has 2 change her image.

2) Can Mariah compete with fresh blood like Beyonce Knowles?

"Yes, because Mariah can outsing Beyonce anyday of the week! "

3) Her last album was very good, but 4 some reason it didn't blow up..what went wrong?

"Charmbracelet was a great album, why it didn't sell too good is an interesting question"

4) Is Mariah's pop success over and done with and just regulated to loyal fans?

"Not sure. As with Michael Jackson and ofcourse Prince, Mariah will always have a loyal fan base. I see it this way, the real fans support their fave artists, whilst there is no real reward 4 mainstream acceptance because MJ, Prince and MC have been highly successful, made lots of money and are still selling records, not in vast quantities like in the past, but they r still selling nonetheless, which is all down 2 fan loyalty."

Hope this answers ur questions!

Gotta add the 2nd disc of Mariah's Remixes album is really cool. All MC fans should check it out!!!.

Randy Jackson (one of her producers) has said her new album will be a more progresive version of the old Mariah (whatever that means!) his calling it her official follow up album to her debut!

twink69 said:

that's a relief! hope it pans out as such!! would like to see her back on top of the charts and songs like V.O.L. back on the air!! i say - yahoo MC!!!