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About Randy from USA: MC is my favorite artist of all time and I love her songwriting skills on her introspective songs. My favorite album: Butterfly. My favorite song: Right To Dream.

A new game while we're waiting for any news or appearances (45,284) by Randy from USA If you were the co-executive producer and Island Def Jam label head, how would you have handled this project? I would have released YDKWTD as a single on Valentine's Day with a all white modern take on a disco themed video. The album would've included thrown away tracks like Hope Street, Triumphant, Almost Home and others as the bonus tracks and the leftover Angels Advocate tracks as a second CD. The album cover would've been the YDKWTD single cover and two weeks before the album, I would've released Meteorite with a singing competition parody typed video. (Tuesday 8 July 2014; 23:15)

Dave (45,192) by Randy from USA It's hilarious how fans see things differently. I think Music Box is one of her most consistent albums. I can listen from beginning to end. I think Me. I am Mariah is her least consistent but her most experimental. (Wednesday 2 July 2014; 18:41)

A couple of notes... and where is MC? (45,174) by Randy from USA Note that many was upset with MC's promotion of this album, yet J Lo has been on every show known to mankind promoting her album and she had a smaller first week. I can't say that MC's lack of promotion hurt her album. Picking YDKWTD as a first single would've probably helped though. The album is growing on me slowly. I really think Meteorite is a departure from anything she's ever done and MC is good for giving us something left field with each album. My favorites are still Cry, although I don't like the lyrics, Camaflauge, YDKWTD, One More Try, although her vocals are ghastly, Heavenly, It's a Wrap, although I hate MJB's speech at the beginning, Becha Gonna Know and TAOLG, although the lyrics need work. Even though the album is growing on me, I think it's her worst by far. My last question is what is MC doing? It's very quiet so what project is she working on? I kind of think she is letting the album phase out and then will sign a new deal and release another album within a year. I also smell trouble for her and Nick. When they got married, I gave it 7 years. You aren't seeing them together much anymore. I don't wish anything bad on anyone but I feel as though they aren't well meshed. She's high maintenance and he's immature. (Tuesday 1 July 2014; 1:31)

You all are gonna hate me for this (44,980) by Randy from USA But I love the single cover. It should've been the album cover lol. (Saturday 21 June 2014; 18:36)

Mimi (44,921) by Randy from USA I agree with your post about Nicki and JLo wholeheartedly. I blame MC for that American Idol foolishness. If they paid me that amount of money, I wouldn't have cared that there was another female judge and definitely wouldn't have thrown her shade. In addition, after Nicki finally reached her boiling point and went off, I would've tried to peace the whole thing out for the sake of the show. MC gave her the silent treatment. I watched Idol and never cared for Nicki beforehand but she articulated her words better and was likeable. MC started to come off as an ice queen. Look as far as this new era; there have been a lot of complaints, giving up, judgments, criticism. I can't let go of the fact that this is the woman who wrote My All, Butterfly, Right To Dream, Langushing, Outside, Close My Eyes and Looking In. Those are genius moments and I don't see the image/diva attitude meshing with that lyricist but she's in there somewhere. I think MC is gonna give us something else great one day in the future. (Friday 20 June 2014; 9:00)

Jermaine Dupri (44,720) by Randy from USA Am I the only one who now likes him after his post? At least someone is addressing the fans about this fiasco. Mariah isn't. Def Jam isn't. (Friday 13 June 2014; 16:26)

Something amiss (44,638) by Randy from USA You know something is wrong when our wonderful webmaster goes off about this era. Let me say this. A couple of fans wanted to say that this wasn't a "get me off this label" album. But the longer we watch this, that's clearly what this is. I don't care about promotion either but wouldn't MC at least put some attempt at promotion, like get people to come to her for interviews etc? She has a great relationship with all the talk shows. So I think this is something purposeful. In addition, I wonder if you all have seen Jermaine's latest reaction to lambs blowing up his twitter about her promoting the drink and not the album. "Okay enough is enough. I can’t continue to let you think, what you see or don’t see is a result of me not knowing what I’m doing, this is bigger than me and in the music business things don’t go as fast as you would always like them to, if you know my history, you know I want to go down as one of the greatest produces of all times, I want to be mentioned with the greats like berry Gordy and Clive Davis when people talk about putting out artist, so for me, allowing you to believe I don’t care about the promotion of the Mariah record and I don’t see you screaming at me, that this song and that song needs to be a single, goes against everything that I’m about, believe me. Everything that you question will be answered ASAP." That lets you know something is going on we don't know about. (Wednesday 11 June 2014; 4:45)

Mary J Blige / MIAMTEC (44,571) by Randy from USA I do love MJB on the song but I hate the spoken intro. If you want MJB music, My Life is the definitive MJB album. As for MIAMTEC, the album is starting to grow on me but I still think it's the weakest of her career. I listen to Cry, #Beautiful (which is growing on me finally), YDKWTD, Camouflage (which is becoming a fave), One More Try, Heavenly and the bonuses. That's not a lot but it is growing on me with more listens. I'm just not getting the brilliance you guys love though. Lol. (Sunday 8 June 2014; 2:30)

So my question Mimi is this (44,559) by Randy from USA Would you rather see MC do what she wants to do or what the fans want? Would you rather see MC make the music she wants or what the fans want? In the NBC promo, she says that people don't understand that she is a human being. I even sometimes have a hard time with the vague line of commercialism and art. Hell yeah, I would love MC to do an unplugged album of introspective songs but she doesn't work for me. Especially at this point. She works for herself. So I love MC enough to just accept whatever happens and console myself with the other 13 albums she's produced and countless interviews and appearances she's done in 24 years. If she wants to go on a talk show, she will. If she doesn't want to, isn't that her choice? What I love about this argument is MC is going to do whatever she wants regardless of what anyone on this board wants. This is the first album she's executive produced alone. I think she is running the show regardless of what anyone wants and I applaud her as one human being to another. And just to clear something up dahling, I wasn't rude; I was telling the blunt truth. Sometimes I forget that that is not envogue. (Saturday 7 June 2014; 17:23)

MC and promo (44,548) by Randy from USA I agree. Some of you need a life outside of MC. I have to admit, I loathe this album. The webmaster can tell you, I have been critical of her "live" performances. But I can't understand for the life of me why some of you are insistent on and repulsed by her lack of promotion. If she doesn't want to sit with an interviewer, fly or go to every venue possible, isn't that her choice? They ask her the same 5 questions all the time. She's a songwriter. She's a mom. She's biracial. She's loved music since an early age. She's finally free. We never get anything new. She has enough money now where MIAMTEC could sell 5 copies and it wouldn't make her a damn bit of difference. Let the woman do what she pleases. In 2008, I thought she was heading into an unplugged, singer-songwriter kind of mode with Right To Dream. When she released MOAIA, I said "OK. At least she gave me the gift of Languishing." I could care less and probably she could to about what the fans want. It's about her, the artist, the human being. As a teacher, yeah I want my students to like and support me but I can't live for them and she doesn't live for you all. If she wants to go on one talk show and drop an album with one song that's only thirty seconds that's her business. Do you care for her beyond idolization? She needs to do what she wants and I, as someone disappointed can accept that, it's her life, her career, her choice. Maybe that's why I'm a fan and not a lamb. Or maybe too many of you are obsessed. (Saturday 7 June 2014; 2:40)

Anthony and Marcel (44,235) by Randy from USA Anthony, your reply was awesome. I guess I will agree to disagree with you because you speak so intelligently and aren't coming for me. Marcel I think MC released some amazing material post Charmbracelet so I have to disagree with you. I do think we're outnumbered here as far as not liking the album so that's good for MC at the end of the day. Even my friends like the album and don't understand my position so I guess I'm an outsider. Good luck MC. (Thursday 29 May 2014; 2:44)

Anthony and Licia (44,226) by Randy from USA Since I'm on vacation, I have time on my hands to debate this. Name one song on this present album that is as poignant lyrically as as Right To Dream, Petals, Butterfly, My All, Outside, Close My Eyes, Looking In or Languishing. I did not say if you liked the album you were forcing yourself to. I was making the point that many fans are overly optimistic and love MC so much that they will like anything she puts out. This is the same board that a few months ago had a member say she could burp on top of a beat and he would buy it. I'm not saying that the album is bad or you shouldn't enjoy it. I'm saying it's not comparable to her previous work. If you like it, amazing. I also pointed out the opportunity to promote this album has been thrown away. And there is probably a reason why. No one discussed that point. Her own website is not promoting the album, it lists her last album under the music link as MCIIY. In addition, TAOLG is really about IDJ not fans who loved previous MC. She does have ballads on this CD. She has said many times she would never abandon her ballads as they are a part of her. She doesn't need Walter A to craft a ballad. I bought the album for $20 full price at Best Buy. I will download Cry and Camouflage on my iTunes and the rest will sit on a shelf collecting dust. I'm waiting for you to point out any song comparable to the above ones. This is a "get me off this label" album. She's done it before. She just did a better job last time. (Thursday 29 May 2014; 0:18)

I think the album is a contract fulfillment (44,211) by Randy from USA Guys, I am really thrilled that you guys like the album. However, the woman that crafted Right To Dream, Butterfly, My All, Languishing, Outside, Close My Eyes, Petals is not present on this one. I think this was a mash of all the tracks she has recorded to get her off the label. Look at the lack of promotion and when I went to her official website, it's the same layout it has been, the first video that comes up is Touch My Body and on her music page, the last album is MCIIY. There is nowhere to find the lyrics. She did every talkshow and late night show with Memoirs. With this one she has done very little promotion this week. I do think this will undersell Memoirs. I want MC to be successful but I think a lot of you want it so bad you have forced yourself to find a silver lining in every song when none of it is comparable to her previous work. I think there will be another album in a year or two on a new label that will feel more MC. (Wednesday 28 May 2014; 17:56)

My album review (44,175) by Randy from USA Let me start by saying I am a longtime fan. But I think MC is not interested in singing songs that I am interested in. My favorite songs from her are Right To Dream, Close My Eyes, Outside, Butterfly, My All, Petals and Languishing. There is nothing close to those on this album. There is a lot of production noise that overshadows the voice. Camouflage is the only song on the album I like a lot. Cry is good but her vocal is sloppy, I guess she's going for emotion. Faded is boring. Dedicated is boring and I don't understand all the talking, background noise or weird sample/percussion. #Beautiful is boring. Thirsty is good except when the parts where it loses the strings, keyboards and pop feel. Make It Look Good is cool but I need her vocal turned up over all that noise JD has in the background plus it sounds like Janet's I Want You part two musically. You're Mine is boring. You Don't Know What To Do is great but Wale needs to go. Supernatural is good even with the babies but not standout. Meteorite is OK but people keep saying that there's no EDM on the album, to me that's close. One More Try is one of her worst remakes. And the drum/percussion sounds like a really bad keyboard demo or a beat for a karaoke version. And it's emotionless. Heavenly is good but the four key changes are laughable considering I know the current state of her voice. And the remakes are cut and paste especially Becha Gon Know but at least Mary does sound good on It's A Wrap. I do love TAOLG but the lyrics are kind of goofy but her voice is loud over the music and I actually like the music to that one. Here's the thing. I think I'm just stuck in the past with two verses a bridge some piano some strings some percussion and maybe a bit of guitar and or bass and that is it. I think this album is for you all and I'm going to sit this one out. I don't blame MC for this nor am I disappointed. I don't like much that has come out in the last few years by most of my favorite artists. What I will say is this. I think MC is just as good of a songwriter as Adele, Sarah Mc, Jewel, Lauryn Hill and whoever else if not better. She's not given the respect as a songwriter because of her image but truth be told this album isn't going to help much in the way of that either. I'm waiting still for a simple, quiet, introspective album and she's still trying to rock the club and radio so as an older fan, 35, I'm younger than her which is ironic. I appreciate her doing what she wants to do and making music for her and that a larger majority of the public will like. But this ain't it for me. (Tuesday 27 May 2014; 23:21)

Lamb O Chop (43,798) by Randy from USA While I do believe she lipsyncs more than the lambily would like to realize, I'm having a hard time believing this video isn't doctored. If it is in fact true, it is what we've feared for some time now. None of her live high belts are her singing on stage and it calls into question every live performance after Divas Live 1998. I hope this video is not authentic. (Monday 19 May 2014; 6:47)

Letterman / MIAMTEC (43,374) by Randy from USA I'm nervous. The only reason why is because MC and IDJ aren't on the same page. A statement released by IDJ said that the album would follow a traditional release promotional plan including a single, a video and a release date. MC said last night she wants the album to be heard as a complete project. She hinted at the fact, did not outright say, that she doesn't want to release a single. Record companies are very nervous about releasing albums at this point because no one is paying for music. I'm concerned about the project being shelved or the record company releasing a single, it failing and the album being pushed back. Now they've been sticking to this 5/27 but they initially said 5/6 and I was a little pissed MC never addressed us. Even though I am a little pissed, I have to admit this messageboard has been going off the deep end in terms of criticizing MC. I appreciate the webmaster for letting us have an open critical discussion, but some of the things being said have been ridiculous lately. I too am very critical of MCs live performances, but to say she didn't sing on Letterman because she can't anymore and she's holding up the album with hundreds of engineers is absolutely horrific. I was once a person that said it was over for the voice, until I saw the impromptu Jimmy Fallon concert for fans. True it's not Daydream era but there is still something there. And she has it at times, whether or not it's in her control is the real question. Some of you need to calm down. (Friday 9 May 2014; 0:57)

I am so excited but... (43,122) by Randy from USA And as one who has been critical, I felt bad for not trusting her. I like the title and like the cover. But I'm kinda surprised that some of you are nitpicking about the cover, guest stars, and the tracks to be included. I thought this would satiate everyone. Guess not. (Thursday 1 May 2014; 11:48)

Well it's official (43,007) by Randy from USA I'm laughing at all the fans that said, "No, it's coming May 6, calm down and be patient." I love MC dearly and I will buy the album, but I think I knew when YME flopped and there was no immediate follow up, we would be waiting. But no, according to the "real fans" I was being "negative". I want MC's success like the next person but even if MC can't tell us what's going on between her and IDJ legally, can we get a new single, video, title, track listing, something on May 6? And listen, I think it's pretty stupid to not buy the album because it's being pushed back, however what the lambily needs to accept is that with all this foolishness, and let's be clear this is foolishness between her and the label not strategy by someone who's been in the business for 25 years, the lambily are the only buyers for this album. Better not piss them off. Throw them something because the general public will not care when or what she releases at this point, as shown by the sales of her last 4 singles. (Monday 28 April 2014; 23:31)

My two cents and most of you aren't going to like it (42,964) by Randy from USA Doesn't it bother anyone here that MC's media coverage mentions Beyonce in every single article related to the new album? Who is supposed to be the legend? Beyonce releasing an album unannounced was ground breaking. Why is MC following her example? Doesn't this seem like desperation to bring attention to the album since the music was not doing the trick? To this day I can't believe anyone, lambs, JD, IDJ, Rodney Jerkins, Trey Songz, Nick Cannon or even MC herself thought YME was a surefire hit. No one can be that delusional. It is the most boring lead single she's ever released, so if that is our introduction to the album, everyone should be nervous. If MC's comeback single makes it to #81, then maybe they thought name-dropping Beyonce is what needs to be done. Here is my theory. The album was supposed to come out on May 6. YME was released on schedule. It flopped, which apparently shocked everyone. So they were going to push the album back. And then, the fans unloaded their disapproval on sites like this, on twitter at JD, MC, management and IDJ said "uh-oh, better not piss the only guaranteed buyers, her lambs, off". So, this exposed-secret release is a way to get the word out that the album is coming and as much attention as possible on it. At this point they're expecting a flop so they've given up on promotions using the normal vehicles, such as a hit single and promotion on television and in magazines. Then MC will quietly leave IDJ and who knows from there. (Monday 28 April 2014; 0:03)

Marissa and Sweetheart Aaron (42,862) by Randy from USA Thank you so much for posting those videos. I want to speak to JD first. He says that people buy the promotion now? People should basically be surprised when the album is on the shelves with the cover and the title? What shelves; there are barely any music stores. And who buys an album (caps) solely because of the way it is promoted? And YME was put out to show she was still singing? We never doubted MC could sing in a studio; she does it better than anyone. It's the live version that bothered us. Am I the only one who noticed TTR and My All has so background vocals on it, but every time she sang it live there are full choirs on stage? And even if YME was to assure us she could still sing, the one time she performed it it wasn't live. TAOLG was to prove she still sings ballads? She's never had an album without a ballad. He made no sense at all. That video had me fuming. (Friday 25 April 2014; 0:15)

Amused (42,811) by Randy from USA This entire thing is amusing to me. To see all of the die hard fans get so worked up over the album release is interesting because it means that the people most loyal are starting to get irritated and you never irritate your fan base. But there is a part of me that snickers at the nuclear holocaust that some of you are predicting if the album doesn't come out on time. It makes me wonder if some of you don't have anything else going on in your lives? Am I wrong for thinking like that? There was a time when I was outside of Sam Goody at 9:58 on a weekday to buy Rainbow the day it came out and the year before that I had a Walmart employee open all the boxes in electronics on November 17, 1998 to get my copy of #1s. But now that I'm in my mid 30s, yeah I'll be annoyed if MC releases this album late but I'm really sitting back waiting to laugh at the fan reaction as well as the lame excuse that she comes up with. I will agree with 90% of you that a silent release is not going to work for her and that this is the messiest she has ever been as far as a lead single choice or promotion. I can't believe this is all happening, but just as MC has put her family first career second, I think some of you need to put your family first, career second, and MC's album release third. (Wednesday 23 April 2014; 6:00)

Edward and the voice, pushback (42,746) by Randy from USA Thanks for having my back Edward because I did not want to start that argument with Matthew by naming certain songs she has never once performed totally live in their entirety. As far as the pushback, I don't believe it until MC addresses us. But I will say it is probable. I am just on pins and needles about what she'll say lol. (Monday 21 April 2014; 7:26)

Retirement and pushback (42,721) by Randy from USA I'm more than positive that MC is not retiring. That wouldn't make sense. Even if the voice was in tatters or the buying public just aren't buying anymore, she loves music. Here's what would happen first. She would continue to make albums quietly like Annie Lennox, Dionne Warwick, Cher, Aretha, Diana Ross and Patti. She would also stop releasing vocal performances from the studio that she can't replicate live. That's the way her career would be after this album, if the album flops. No one really retires. Even if they announce it, like JayZ did a long time ago. Now to address a pushback, Daydream327: I thought for awhile she would push the album back but I really think a pushback would have been announced by now. Now I could be wrong, and we could all be disappointed in a few weeks, but what in the world would be her excuse and how could she possibly make that right with the lambs? She did say a month or so ago: I am going into the studio and I am not coming out until the album is done. She has pretty much stuck to that promise so I think she'll stick to May 6. (Saturday 19 April 2014; 16:02)

Quaid (42,534) by Randy from USA You took the post right out of my fingers. What's interesting is that I think this is all being handled badly and yet, I have never searched the boards or the web so frantically or fervently for an answer. So she does have us all salivating, even if it is in anger. I do think it may come out quietly due to the changes over at the label. In addition, I can't imagine her making yet another excuse to push the album back, although the reshuffling at the label would give her a good one. Or should we just all batten down the hatches and listen to old MC releases until May 6, 2015? This could be the ultimate prank, since she's a prankster. "Oh you thought I meant this year?" (Wednesday 9 April 2014; 3:04)

Listening party with no details (42,474) by Randy from USA Seems shady. But I do think releasing the album as titled "0506" would be cool. Usher did a similar thing with 8501 and Jewel released hers as 0304 way back when. (Thursday 3 April 2014; 23:21)

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