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About this_is_qhm from the Philippines: I love the intricate vocal harmonies only Mariah can make.

Music Box (66,707) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines Face it this is the most MOR-sounding Mariah album (at least Charmbracelet had a bit more spice), which is great for sales but not for critics. It's a great album that is weighed down mostly by the ballads towards the end but is ultimately saved by its strong singles (Dreamlover, Hero, AYNAF, NFY and Without You are simply essential). Just To Hold You Once Again and All I've Ever Wanted are basically interchangeable, so thank God for I've Been Thinking About You coming between the two. I'd rather they ditched either of those two in favor of Everything Fades Away which will make a good album closer. But since EFA was demoted to bonus track status, I wish they just put the title track at the end instead. It would have made more sense, at least to me, and would have concluded the album on a more hopeful note. (Monday 26 September 2016; 10:34)

Re: Mariah's technique, control and unique phrasing (66,678) (66,686) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines I posted a theory here years ago that Mariah's usual "rounded" singing/phrasing has been traded for a "flatter", more nasal and less "full" sound as a way of adapting to her diminished ability to belt out and sustain notes especially post-2000. I believe she can still choose to sing with a "rounded" voice, although the result would be noticeably less impressive and not as buttery-smooth in quality than it was the 90s. The closer you put your lips together when you sing, the more breath you save, however, that will definitely affect the sound of what you're singing. To her, it's become more of an adaptation thing than a choice. Since Charmbracelet, she has injected this into her songwriting as well. She'd go for rapid-fire verses than longer drawn-out sentences that extend her vocals. Coincidentally (or maybe not really), this change turned out to be appropriate as it was then when she started really pursuing hip-hop tracks, where herky-jerky, frantic, staccato styles of delivery are a better match. (Sunday 25 September 2016; 12:19)

Re: Andrew the android (66,676) (66,679) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines Love my Note 7 though. Haha. (Sunday 25 September 2016; 7:46)

Re: Article: Mariah goes on romantic Greece getaway (66,640) (66,644) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines I think that's a telltale sign that her recent weightloss can be attributed more to a strict diet than a rigorous exercise regimen. Which would also probably explain her still puffier face. Other than the stress, aging, makeup and lighting factors, of course. (Saturday 24 September 2016; 10:56)

Article: 25 Great songs produced by Jermaine Dupri (66,643) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines I know this is just a "great" and not a "greatest" list, but apparently ABMB, as huge as it was and still is, didn't make much of an impact to be considered a part of it. Oversight or blasphemy? More like I'm taking this too seriously. (Saturday 24 September 2016; 10:49)

Re: Empire song update (66,613) (66,623) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines It better be good. One thing's cemented, though. When it comes to producers, Mariah will always go for familiarity over risk. I guess she has this, "if it ain't broke don't fix it" mantra. Sure, nothing is broke, but Mariah, just so you know, othe producers exist too. This conscious decision to stay in your comfort zone is just killing creativity and possibly even your social skills. When are you ever gonna get out of this box that has confined you since 2005? (Friday 23 September 2016; 15:15)

Re: What is Mariah's most under-rated song (66,615) (66,617) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines Ribbon. People just don't understand how much it stands out in her catalog. Even worse, they take it for granted because by the time it came out, a lot were already sick of her hip-hop influenced songs. I swear it must have only been brought up in this board 4 times in the past 3 years, and 2 of them was probably because I posted about it. A lot of tracks from 2013-2015 that were radio hits have this vibe similar to it. The fact that it came out at least 4 years prior proves that Mariah has good ideas, they just sometimes come too early (Glitter, anyone?). Which also means she is actually quite the visionary - a very underrated one at that. (Friday 23 September 2016; 12:04)

Re: New photos (66,614) (66,616) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines It's not all about flaunting the body. It's about leaving something to the imagination, which in her case, there's little to be left anyway because I feel like she has showed more skin in 2016 than all the 25 years that came before combined. That loose white dress is gorgeous on her. This proves that sexy doesn't have to be synonymous with skin-tight or skimpy. (Friday 23 September 2016; 11:50)

Sade - Is It A Crime (66,608) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines If there's anything good that came out of Mariah's Vegas residency, it's that it has somehow improved her vocals as well as her overall performing skills as she went on. Still, there's always room for further improvement. Just wanted to share this if you still haven't watched this. It's one of my favorite Sade songs which she performed live in 2011 while on tour promoting the Soldier Of Love album. Her stage presence is just incredible. She really doesn't do or run around much, the stage and lighting are simple and there's no one there but her and the band, but honey does she know how to turn up the drama. She's just such an classy yet badass performer. And please watch it until the end because that is how you end a performance with a bang. And did I mention she was 52 at the time? Exactly. I guess Mariah could learn a thing of two from her and her minimalist approach. (Friday 23 September 2016; 5:09)

Re: Your own private concert (66,599) (66,604) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines 5. Subtle Invitation 4. Dedicated 3. Make It Look Good 2. Underneath The Stars 1. Fourth Of July (Friday 23 September 2016; 3:57)

Re: This Mariah (66,554) (66,571) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines Oh so she did act weird. But at least I assume back then her antics probably weren't as annoying and off-putting. Not surprised about Norton being a [censored], though. Most talkshow hosts are nothing like their affable TV alter-egos in real life. (Thursday 22 September 2016; 5:24)

Re: Fusion of song (66,546) (66,548) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines Thank you. I always thought of those three songs as a trilogy. And realizing how they tell a sad love story with each song segueing to the next, I believe she intended them to be that way. They're lovely to hear on their own, but just extraordinary to listen to especially in the same sequence that they were released. (Wednesday 21 September 2016; 14:59)

Re: This Mariah (66,543) (66,547) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines You're so lucky to have been able to witness that firsthand. I wonder why he thought she was awful, though. Did she diva out between takes or something? (Wednesday 21 September 2016; 14:46)

This Mariah (66,537) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines I'd like to believe I still live in a world where Mariah still remembers her fans as fondly and accurately as she did here. I mean that photographic (literally) memory is impressive as it is touching. This was her 13 years into her career. I wonder how she's like now that that time has doubled. (Wednesday 21 September 2016; 12:17)

Re: Mariah's streaming power (66,529) (66,532) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines Yeah. One can only projectile vomit as a result of playing On The Floor and its three other reincarnations featuring Pitbull on loop for so many times. (Wednesday 21 September 2016; 9:57)

Re: Battle of the interludes / 2 minute songs (66,523) (66,526) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines Languishing, Your Girl or Twister. Sorry, I know there's only a few of them, but I just can't pick. Depends on my mood. (Wednesday 21 September 2016; 3:44)

Re: I wish you well, Fly like a bird or Saving Grace? (66,457) (66,460) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines True. Let me put it this way: there's all of Mariah's attempts at gospel, and then there's Fly Like A Bird. That song is a crowning achievement and is the best closing song for a Mariah album. Ever. I know it, you know it, we all know it, heck - you damn well know even Mariah herself knows it. It's always gonna be the best finale song for any Mariah setlist. (Monday 19 September 2016; 12:32)

Re: Is the depth still there? (66,450) (66,459) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines I believe the depth will still be there. Sure, it probably won't be the occasionally-trite-but-beyond-her-early-20-something-years depth of her first 2 albums, nor the conscious-I'mma-try-to-impress-you-with-my-substance-and-maturity depth of Daydream and Butterfly, but maybe more of the I've-been-through-most-of-what-them-other-regularities-have depth that has peppered TEOM, E=MC2 and MIAMTEC. My only concern is that when she does show depth in her next release, maybe it won't be taken as seriously as she would want it to, given her antics and poor, even tasteless wardrobe choices especially over the past year. Yes, image can have an effect on product reception, and yes, even basic facts like that should be stated on this board. (Monday 19 September 2016; 12:26)

Re: Through The Rain, Hero or Can't Take That Away (66,451) (66,455) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines Can't Take That Away for sure. TTR was huge in the Philippines and writing it was therapeutic for Mariah so it will always have a special place in my heart, but to me, with CTTA, the vocals are full and powerful from start to finish, which matches the song's message more and makes it more impactful. It also has an angst to it that's just infectious. Plus it happens to feature one of Mariah's most memorable and impressive vocal runs towards the end. (Monday 19 September 2016; 11:36)

Re: Does Mariah get a double-standard? (66,343) (66,350) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines If we're being technical, Janet's career "officially" took off with the Control album. 7 years later, Janet. was released. But even before that period, Janet has already known for her explicit moaning in "babymaking" songs from Control and Rhythm Nation 1814. Plus, Janet, even at her most wholesome, had this rebellious edge and reputation. And yes, Mariah does have the right to be sexy but in a classy way, like she always has been until recently. Those Insta pics? Even her Playboy images are waaay better. Look, 10 years ago - heck, maybe even 5 - have you ever thought that her name and "nip slip" or "pant-less" would be in the same sentence? That's how you know something's gone too far. She wore a bra-out look to a UN event for crying out loud. Sexy should not come at the expense of class and elegance. She's Mariah, not Madonna. If we're taking this too seriously then so be it. But in a world largely influenced by social media and where even younger, former big-sellers like Britney are struggling, dressing appropriately will definitely not hurt you. (Friday 16 September 2016; 14:02)

Re: Does Mariah get a double-standard? (66,329) (66,336) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines This has less to do about an unfair "double standard" and more because she has a different backstory. Unlike J.Lo, Janet and Brit who have established themselves as sex symbols very early on in their career, Mariah, on the other hand, took a decade to gradually ease into a full blown sexy image during the Glitter era. It's not that Mariah isn't sexy, or isn't as sexy as those three. It's also not that a sexy image doesn't suit her, or that she doesn't have the right to express her sexy side as much as they do. It's the fact that her more recent antics seem forced and unnatural. Just look at how most of her recent pictures and outfits come across. There's an awkwardness there that translates as "trying too hard". So yeah, maybe we hold her to a different standard - a higher one she mostly set on her own through the years. She isn't a sex symbol. She's a sexy singer who doesn't have to do much to be sexy. There's a difference. This is not about establishing what she can or cannot do. It's about not breaking character with the image she has cultivated over the quarter of a century - because that's what her fans cherish and know her for - an extremely beautiful, talented, one-of-a-kind woman who also happens to have this mystery about her that is sexy. Now more than ever, we should appreciate how important reconnecting with her fans is because if it isn't obvious enough, it doesn't seem like she has a lot left who are actually supporting her. And these bad pics definitely aren't helping - I mean, just look at the posts on this board. Wow, just realized I used "sexy" 9 times. (Friday 16 September 2016; 6:16)

Article: Mariah Carey's brother in hiding (66,306) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines "It's about protecting this fiction... this image that she has created. It's about keeping the darkest secrets covered up." Yeah, because no other celebrity does that. Poor Morgan. So "naive". So desperate. So embarrassing. How low can you go? (Thursday 15 September 2016; 2:56)

Re: Ill fated Memoirs album / H.A.T.E.U remix (66,261) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines Talk about a failed opportunity. The H.A.T.E.U. remix is the best one to come out from the Memoirs remix album. It's the only one that features re-recorded vocals, a clever interpolation of the 90's classic My Boo, and rearranged song structure, ergo the only one to actually fit the definition of "remix". It's naturally the best-sounding and most successful as well. The Ribbon Remix to me comes a far second. (Wednesday 14 September 2016; 12:52)

Latest Insta pics (66,255) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines Five things: 5. That bra is horrendous. Like a failed swimsuit-lingerie fusion experiment. 4. She looks hella hammered. Or high. Apparently the dazed/clueless look is supposed to translate as sexy these days. 3. Cue barrage of bashing comments in 3... 2... 1. I mean with posts like these, she's practically just begging for it, isn't she? 2. Still can't get over how outrageously bad that bra looks like. I mean seriously. 1. Yet another new low. I really hope it doesn't get any worse than this. At this point, it's not just tired, it's embarrassing. You can't just keep shoving your boobs up peoples faces whenever they ask for new music. MJB said it best: "You're Mariah Carey, remember?" (Wednesday 14 September 2016; 11:34)

Re: Mac (66,219) (66,250) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines Looks great. Ironic though that someone who sells good makeup can't get a decent makeup artist. I mean whoever that is should have been fired 500 terrible looks ago. (Wednesday 14 September 2016; 5:59)

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