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

Songs that most hate but I happen to love (55,439) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines I can think of 2 - Infinity and Boy (I Need You). Infinity is actually nice. Yes, it does sound like a patchwork production but it does have the ingredients of a good pop hit - just not for the current music landscape and is somehow inappropriate for her age. Boy (I Need You) is the most upbeat Charmbracelet gets, and though potentially irritating especially during the chorus, the production is actually quite great - nothing else in her catalog sound like it, not even You Got Me with it's similar use of chipmunk voices. Those verses and pre-choruses are actually melodically quite dreamy. (Friday 24 July 2015; 12:34)

That one Mariah song (55,438) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines Most difficult question to answer in this messageboard in quite a while. It's hard enough narrowing them down to 50, let alone just one - that's next to impossible. So I decided to cheat: allow myself at least one upbeat and one downtempo. Upbeat: Fantasy. The original version. Though it may sound a bit dated these days, nothing compares to that giddy feeling this song induces every time it plays. It's a delirious sugar rush - those vocals, those lyrics, the melody, the harmonies, that sample, that remix, that video? This is as good as the highest form of pop music gets. It's up there with other landmark pop songs such as Like A Prayer and Billie Jean. Downbeat: Butterfly. This is Mariah in a song. There is a reason why she herself considers this her best ballad. This is the standard by which other Mariah ballads are measured up to. It has a chorus that soars like no other, and a rousing gospel influence that only Fly Like A Bird can rival or top. It's what freedom sounds like. (Friday 24 July 2015; 11:03)

Fave artists other than Mariah (55,398) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines I listen to a lot, but these are those who are on constant heavy rotation: Male: Stevie Wonder - genius; end of discussion Michael Jackson - no explanation needed Marvin Gaye - passion personified George Michael - most soothing breathy vocals Robin Thicke - best falsetto in the biz Michael Buble - best classical crooner of this generation John Legend - sexy rich, husky tone John Mayer - classic example of image overshadowing talent Jason Mraz - clever and stylistically complex Nathan Sykes - could be much bigger if he is only paid more attention Female: Janet Jackson - most sensual voice out there Madonna - paved the way for every imaginable current female artist Kylie Minogue - underrated albeit uber likeable Sade - most instantly recognizable unique voice Corinne Drewery (Swing Out Sister) - modern Dusty Springfield Amy Winehouse - gone way too soon Brandy - intriguing mixture of warm and cold, hard and soft Lady GaGa - electro or jazz, still a great vocalist JoJo - should be bigger than most current female stars Chrisette Michele - another great talent who's unfortunately still low profile Karen Carpenter - unmatched clear, mature tone Corinne Bailey Rae - honey-dipped voice Kimbra - creates "panoramic" sounds (Wednesday 22 July 2015; 3:19)

Most rousing/moving Mariah songs (55,310) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines Every now and then in the course of playing Mariah's albums, there comes a song that just does something to you almost on a spiritual level, sometimes too much that it even makes you well up and realize that you are not callous after all. Here are mine: (Sorry, Hero's out of the list. Does nothing for me. Maybe it's the fact that it's overplayed.) 10. One Sweet Day - Once the bridge starts, try - just try not to sing along. So hard. 9. I Am Free - Wherever you are, she takes you to church with this one. 8. Cry. - Her boldest album-opener, period. Not advisable to start things with your heaviest cut, but her delivery makes it work. 7. Through The Rain - Don't let the first 3 quarters of the song fool you. The last one kicks in and reminds you that there's no doubt you're listening to "the" voice. 6. Butterfly - That soaring chorus just liberates you and makes you want to test your wings. 5. Can't Take That Away - Her best self-help anthem because it comes from personal experience. 4. Lead The Way - Not all of these stirring songs have to be gospel-tinged or inspirational. That last chorus says it all. You've just been Mariah'd. 3. My Saving Grace - Mariah's prayer. You hear her devotion in this and it's just breathtaking. 2. Fly Like A Bird - This is just common sense. If you're not moved by this, you're dead inside. 1. Outside - One of the most depressing songs in Mariah's catalogue, this one could have you crying like baby whether you have ever felt like an outcast or not. (Friday 17 July 2015; 12:51)

Mariah's Heartbreaker post / Rainbow (55,295) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines What's up with her posting a lyric from Heartbreaker? Is it personal or just her being nostalgic? That being said, that lollipop pic got me nostalgic of the Rainbow album and its era. Listened to it in its entirety after quite some time and I was reminded again of just how underrated it is. Sure, it's tough to follow Daydream and Butterfly, but this was the best Mariah could muster under the strained circumstances at the time - and the fact that it's her most rushed album to date doesn't really hurt its quality and overall appeal. It's a great testament to Mariah's work ethic and her refusal to compromise quality even when everything seems to be working against her. Plus, the album is very aptly named. I love the cover (though Mariah seems a bit too tan, but it suits her) and I've read that it's Mariah's favorite. It really is quite colorful sonically, you could almost hear all shades of the spectrum in the music, if that makes sense. Plus, it gave us Bianca, that feisty alter-ego we all are still waiting for to make a proper comeback. Heartbreaker and its remix, CTTA, After Tonight, Bliss, Crybaby, Petals, TGIFY, are all killer. Sure, there's more filler than usual, but it is still a great album where urban Mariah came into being. Collectively, it's the inspiring sound and story of a strong woman's unwavering optimism. (Thursday 16 July 2015; 9:05)

Asia / Boy (I Need You) (55,264) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines Asia never lets any of their fave artists down, and Mariah is definitely one of them. I like Boy (I Need You). Not ashamed to say that. I get how it can be irritating to most, and it's far from Mariah's best vocal performance, but it's honestly a better song than most fans on this board give credit for. It's not the worst thing in the world. Plus, she looks sensational in the playful video. (Tuesday 14 July 2015; 10:24)

Low profile artists that Mariah should work with (55,192) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines As much as I love Mariah, I also listen to a whole lot of artists from various genres. Last year, I was so glad to have stumbled upon KING, a vocal trio brimming with so much talent and potential. They don't chase trends, they aren't too eager to be played on the radio, and they have Prince as a mentor. Not sure if you haven't heard about them, and if you haven't then that's probably because they have only released 5 songs (that I know of). 3 of those were on an EP, and the other 2 were released as singles: the undulating In The Meantime and the swooning Mister Chameleon. I highly recommend you check them out, as theirs is a sound and vibe that Mariah has slightly touched upon here and there in the course of her career but never really pursued. I was thinking that since Mariah has a penchant for picking up-and-coming rappers for her collaborations, why not try collaborating with girl groups (she did sign Allure in the 90's)? And with her love of harmonies, why not let KING the be girl group she works with? (Saturday 11 July 2015; 15:40)

Ariana (55,180) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines She's a classic example of one of those people who let get fame into their head way too fast and too early in their career. She was very likable during her Yours Truly days. Then her sophomore album came out and she suddenly became this entitled wannabe who from first sight you just knew an inner mean girl was lurking under that perfect Mariah-aping exterior. This does not bode well for her. You just don't publicly express hate of America on its birthday. No matter how jokingly you say it, there is just no way it will not be taken negatively, even borderline terroristic. Oh well, another wannabe down (they never seem to learn, do they?), next please. (Friday 10 July 2015; 5:52)

All that promotion (55,156) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines So Infinity has joined the rest of all the singles post-#Beautiful that underperformed. Every release, we seem to always find ourselves suggesting that Mariah should do this or do that like how this artist did this and it worked, blah blah blah. I'm guilty of it. Most of us are. Maybe that's just us wanting her to succeed as much as possible. But we also often forget that the thing about promotion is that it's not a one-size-fits-all thing. Just like everything in the music industry nowadays, it's a case-to-case-basis thing, and a significant bulk of it depends on luck and timing. Sometimes it's hard to be a Mariah fan. I try to be positive, but there certainly are moments when I get frustrated because Mariah deserves to be on top and she isn't. Every time I listen to MIAMTEC, I hear a masterpiece that has sadly fallen mostly on deaf ears. Sorry, did not mean to be a downer. It's just sad when great artists don't get the credit and respect they deserve. (Thursday 9 July 2015; 11:27)

Wendy (55,119) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines Her name has been thrown around here in and out countless times and I have never even cared to react on anything she said until now. The reason for this is the fact that she's self-destructive and even better, is seemingly unaware of it. I'm sure even some of her most loyal followers aren't blind to how maddeningly inconsistent her opinions are. With how carelessly she talks, he's a hazard to herself, she's her own karma. I'm not wishing it on her, but it's just a matter of time. And now we play the waiting game. . . (Wednesday 8 July 2015; 8:20)

Mariah influences on All That (55,055) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines I know I and RJ112 have praised this song here before, but I brought it up again because I recently read a review of Carly Rae Jepsen's new outing Emotion (which is fantastic and is what Taylor's 1989 would have sounded if it stayed truer to its 80's influences, was more fun, and was less personal). The reviewer described All That as something that Mariah could have sung back in the day. At first, I though it was quite a weird statement, as I was only reminded of Prince and Janet when I first heard it. However, a few repeated listens later, I found myself sort of agreeing with the reviewer. Although I find the lyrics to be a bit too simple, I feel like the double voice technique that Carly uses in the choruses and her ad libs towards the end somehow sound like something Mariah would do had it been her song. Check it out and see if you hear what I hear. (Friday 3 July 2015; 12:10)

The thing about legends is (55,026) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines That no matter how their popularity has waned or their image has been tainted, their musical output still speak for themselves. Look at Janet, Madonna and Mariah. Their music still stands head and shoulders above the efforts of even their deemed successors. Ciara will never escape Janet's shadow. Britney (who herself has a good ear for what sounds now and next) still can't beat Madonna at her game. And all of those who were ever dubbed "the next Mariah" have either given up, slowed down or only achieved fleeting success. That's what makes a legend. Not even ever-changing trends can stop their influences from seeping through, leaking out and blowing open. (Thursday 2 July 2015; 10:19)

enwar00 / Mariah's personal life (55,023) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines You're not the only one. I'm kinda squeamish giving my two cents about her personal life simply because as much as I care about Mariah, I realize that everyone already does that for me, and I believe that the less I comment, then at least that's one less person whose thoughts are most likely gonna get lost in an ocean of different opinions anyway. As long as she is enjoying herself, I'm happy for her and it's best to just leave it at that and let her be. Now if we're talking new music or career ventures, that's a different story. (Thursday 2 July 2015; 9:04)

Janet / BET Awards (55,000) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines In all fairness, Janet deserves the award. She is an icon. I have no complaints with her receiving such distinction. Yes, she has only cracked the top 20 once in the last decade, but if Mariah isn't the one to get it, she's the only other one who's deserving. As long as Mariah is up next, though. Still, this is more acceptable than Rihanna receiving the first Icon Award from the AMAs, and much more fathomable than J.Lo winning the same inaugural award from BBMAs. At least Janet's influence is present in today's music. I can't say the same for the other two. Especially J.Lo who was only lucky enough to ride the Latin wave in the late 90s-early 00s. (Wednesday 1 July 2015; 12:27)

Are slow-burn songs becoming the new Top 40? (54,844) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines I'm a chart geek. I'm aware that numbers aren't necessarily indicative of the actual popularity/success of a song, but charts are still useful in identifying current music trends. Top 40 songs are characterized by (and often dismissed for) having easily digestible indelible hooks and generic beats. Prime examples: pretty much the entire catalogues of Katy Perry and Jason Derulo. They're huge at the peak of their popularity, but are mostly forgotten by year's end. So I find it interesting that more and more songs that are too sophisticated to be classified as Top 40 are climbing the charts. These songs usually utilize a minimalist production, have simple choruses that don't instantly gratify, and take more than a few listens to get into (which, to the current young audience, is too much to ask, knowing the limits of their attention span). Some of the best choruses are those that take some time to sink in. Look at Selena's Good For You (currently #1), The Weeknd's Earned It and The Hills, and my current obsession, Janet's No Sleeep. They're doing well for songs that aren't really radio-ready. It means more people are learning to appreciate the treasures that these types of songs hold. This is a good thing. It's a ray of hope for songs like Cry. and Camouflage to become hits. So I wouldn't mind if Mariah's next album sports less hooks than usual, as long as she enjoys making it, then that's what matters. Sometimes, chart success comes when one says, "Screw them, I'm doing this." (Wednesday 24 June 2015; 12:41)

Janet's new single (54,813) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines No Sleeep is hot. A bit too short, but still smoother than anything mainstream out there right now. Not the usual upbeat or midtempo first single we have come to expect from her, not exactly radio-friendly, but still interesting and reminiscent of her best work. Her vocals are still as soothingly sensual as ever. Seriously, this sounds like something out of The Velvet Rope or All For You. No one does slinky "babymaking" songs like Janet. Plus she's back with Jimmy and Terry who she practically grew up with. I'm so happy for her and Mariah. They have come to a point in their careers where they have embraced their status as veteran artists who have nothing left to prove and are confident enough to release songs that may not necessarily be single material, but are simultaneously expressions of what they have been through and what they currently are artistically. (Tuesday 23 June 2015; 12:08)

Janet and Mariah (54,811) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines It's nice that they're still in good terms. Some artists tend to drift apart through the years for various reasons. A duet between them would be epic. Since they both use vocal layering and harmonies quite often, I see nothing bad at all with them collaborating. I hope this happens for inclusion in either or both of their upcoming albums. (Tuesday 23 June 2015; 11:23)

Shade or no shade (54,770) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines Shut up, Nick. Just shut up. For your own good. Really. Cannon, that is. (Sorry, didn't realize there was a Nick who recently posted on this board. My bad.) Peace. (Sunday 21 June 2015; 9:54)

Latin Mariah (54,768) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines Just like jazz and reggae, Mariah rarely infused her songs with Latin sounds. I can only think about 3 tracks from her entire catalog that are Latin-influenced: My All, After Tonight and I Only Wanted. All songs are winners, especially My All which never fails to leave me speechless every time I hear it. But doesn't anyone else find it interesting and even impressive how these songs, when played in that order, tell a story about desperation, doubt, and loss? I wonder if Mariah intentionally wrote these songs as a trilogy. I mean with all the similarities in sound and continuity in the storylines, she had to, right? Regardless, they make for the perfect soundtrack for a rainy late night alone. Just like Bianca, maybe it's high time for Latin Mariah to come back. (Wait, is Bianca a feisty Latina? Haha.) (Sunday 21 June 2015; 9:26)

Every Time I Close My Eyes (54,726) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines I don't really know much about how this song came into existence, but don't you just wish this was just a proper duet between Mariah and Babyface? I think that maybe it was friendly way of Mariah returning the favor for his contributions in her albums. It's on Babyface's album, but if it were a duet, then it could've easily fit in Daydream or Butterfly. That said, isn't this song just so dreamy? It's a classic Babyface production, and his voice just melds very well with Mariah's background vocals. Had this been an official duet, it would've charted higher, maybe even to #1 considering Mariah's dominance in the 90's. It's a prime example of just how smooth 90's slow jams are and how great R&B was at its peak. (Friday 19 June 2015; 9:50)

Janet snippet / Lee TS / Mariah and Babyface (54,721) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines Yeah, when I first heard it, I was like, this is almost exactly the same opening cascading keyboard intro of Mariah's Yours. It makes sense, as Jimmy & Terry produced that song, and as we all know, they've been with Janet from Control to 20 Y.O. So I guess this means Jan's back with the producers she really belongs with. Mariah kinda has this scorched-earth-policy she follows in both her personal and professional life, so I guess it's unlikely for her to get back together with Walter. So if we won't get that, then maybe Babyface would be more likely. His production style has this signature soft, plush 90's sound (best heard in the gorgeous Melt Away and Madonna's epic Take A Bow) which would be a nice contrast to Mariah's grittier, huskier tone. Please, Mariah, just for the nostalgia, even if it was just for one song. (Friday 19 June 2015; 3:31)

Top 5 vocal moments (54,716) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines 5. Mine Again - Impressive belting. 4. Subtle Invitation - Her ad libs towards the end. 3. Make It Happen - Once again, dem growls. 2. My All - It's got both low lows and high highs. 1. Lead The Way - That long run in the final chorus. Plus, correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't this in the Guinness Book of World Records for the longest duration sung in one breath? (Thursday 18 June 2015; 11:07)

Make It Look Good (extended version) (54,690) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines I remember there was this teaser of some sort released before, if I'm not mistaken, The Art Of Letting Go dropped. It featured Mariah speaking over this orchestral background music which I recall excited some of us in this board because we were hoping for the then unreleased album (which eventually turned out to be MIAMTEC) to sound that way. When I first heard some of the riffs off the backdrop of Make It Look Good, I knew there was something familiar about it, so when I tried to search for the teaser again, I ended up finding this fanmade clip instead, which used the music from the teaser as an intro to MILG. Now the quality of the teaser sound snippet isn't the best (it deteriorated as a consequence of unsuccessfully removing Mariah's voiceover) but it's good enough to give us an idea of what MILG would've probably sounded like during the earlier production stages. Although it is my favorite track off MIAMTEC, my only other issue with the song (the first one being the absence of a verse from Stevie) is that it has always sounded too short for me (it fades out after the second chorus). This makes me wish this intro wasn't cut out, if it was part of the original mix of the track at all. It just adds another level of sophistication to an already opulent song. Oh well. It's still the most buoyant joint on the album and one of Mariah's few swinging feel good moments. (Wednesday 17 June 2015; 9:26)

Other storytelling songs / Lee TS / Bill (54,687) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines Lee TS, thanks, that's sweet of you especially since I'm mostly just rambling in all my posts. Bill, yeah, I had that in the top 20 (yes, I actually went that far), it was just so hard to narrow it down to 10 for obvious reasons. So I just tried to focus on the songs that were "more story-telling" than others, if that makes sense. Aside from Twister, the other songs that didn't quite make the cut were: 12) We Belong Together. The second verse never fails to get me. The desperation is just so raw. 13) The Wind. Makes you wonder why Mariah rarely does jazz. It's a crime. This is one of the few songs in her earlier albums that will better suit her current, more mature tone. 14) Love Story. Classic boy meets girl story that some of today's rom-coms are all about. 15) Reflections (Care Enough). Disturbing abortion reference aside, this is really quite touching, especially the second verse. 16) Candy Bling. In an interesting way, this sounds like present Mariah reminiscing about that date in Fourth of July but revealing more. 17) Babydoll. There's something very posh about this song. It's very 90's without sounding dated. I usually listen to this after Honey and before The Roof. Interesting storyline there. 18) Clown. This sly diss track is appropriately low key in terms of instrumentation, which only highlights its impact. 19) Circles. Seems like something she would sing after being stood up again on a planned date. 20) Lullaby. This lighter sequel to The Roof is all kinds of flirty. (Wednesday 17 June 2015; 5:49)

Top 10 Mariah "storytelling" songs (54,669) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines It's remarkable how Mariah's ability to paint vivid pictures with her lyrics has improved over the years. Here's my top 10. Honorable mention: Twister. Probably the most haunting song of hers. 10) Petals. In light of recent events, this seems to hit even harder. 9) Underneath The Stars. No other Mariah song has captured the bliss of young love more perfectly. 8) It's A Wrap. This could be a scene in a musical. It's that entertaining. Plus, you can hear the frustration in Mariah's voice. 7) Make It Happen. Mariah's own success story is truly inspiring. And dem growls? Chills. 6) Fourth Of July. Of all her songs, this is the one that sounds and feels most like a painting. This artwork of the most romantic date ever is simply a masterpiece. 5) Crybaby. A fantastic depiction of the beginning of a relationship's end. And her ad-libs toward the end? Killer. 4) Side Effects. Who knew the dirty laundry of her first marriage would only come out 11 years after the divorce? Intriguing yet empowering. 3) Betcha Gon' Know (The Prologue). This is probably the most cinematic of all Mimi's storytelling songs. The riveting tale of a woman witnessing her partner's infidelity. 2) Close My Eyes. The best showcase of Mariah's knack for metaphors. Dreamy, elegant, introspective, mysterious, and compelling. 1) The Roof. Everything just came together for this sensual and sexy track - the melody, the mood, the lyrics, the video, A+. I call this quiet storm with a subtle urban edge. What are yours? (Tuesday 16 June 2015; 12:24)

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