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

What I have learned from posting on this board II (54,666) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines 1. Every fan has a unique way of supporting Mariah in this big family that's pretty much dysfunctional half the time. 2. You'll have to accept that every once in a while, a comment will come so straight out of left field that will have you suddenly considering that smashing your keyboard/monitor/device may not be such a bad idea. Worst thing is, this happens more often than you'd think and want. 3. There was a time when "disliking" was an option. It was removed shortly due to its tendency to be used as a bullying tactic. 4. You're sure to find someone you'll love, loathe, and have a love-hate relationship with. 5. There's something to be said for not saying anything. 6. Not a week goes by without a "critical vs. optimistic fan" argument. 7. No week is also complete without a debate on Mariah's vocal ability or "what's left of it". 8. Mariah's The Art Of Letting Go is may very well be dedicated to every poster on the board for its relevance in this setting. The earlier you learn it, the better. You'll also realize just how valuable scrolling is. 9. Posters come and go. But you're better off taking a break from posting without any announcement at all as 90% of those who do never really seem to leave anyway. 10. The webmaster is all kinds of cool for coming up with this site and have it running for so long. Bonus: Pretty much everyone hates Boy (I Need You). (I personally don't. I love the melody of the verses and the refrain. The song overall, though, is quite cloying.) (Tuesday 16 June 2015; 9:31)

New producers (54,569) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines Okay, MIAMTEC was a great album. It was her best work since TEOM. But if I had any complaint about that album as a whole, it's that at least 90% of it is familiar. While the tunes are great for the most part, they seem like rehashes of her past work to varying degrees of success. To me, this is due to Mariah's reliance on producers she has already worked with in the past. There's a reason why #Beautiful has pretty much received zero negative critical reviews - it was the freshest she has sounded since It's Like That. Literally nothing about it echoes her past work. So it shouldn't be a coincidence that it was one of the few tracks on the album where Mariah has ventured on new grounds producer-wise. That's also why Migrate is one of the most striking tracks off E=MC2. So unless she strays from her predilection for working with her friends, I'm afraid she won't be able to move on from her current sound, which is by no means bad, but somehow restricts her growth as an artist. I'd love for her to go more of the indie route (Dev Hynes, The Elev3n, R8DIO, Kevin Kadish, No I.D., etc.) rather than the hottest ones at the moment (Pharrell, Max Martin, Zedd, etc.), although they'll do too. But if she's still gonna insist to work with those she already had in the past, then at least reunite with those who she hasn't collaborated with in a long time (Babyface, Walter Afanasieff, Jimmy & Terry, etc.). As much as Mariah is in control of her sound, she is also a great producer's muse. (Friday 12 June 2015; 10:49)

To break or not to break (54,559) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines I definitely see the point of fans who are suggesting that she needs to take a break. I mean, really, even at her lowest career-wise, Mariah was never out of the public's consciousness. Even during what most would consider hiatuses, she never really leaves, and the best and worst part of that is it's not by choice. No matter how determined she may try to keep a low profile, it doesn't help that she is Mariah-freaking-Carey, or that every December her mega-hit holiday tune never fails to bring her back to the charts and the global airwaves. If you really think about it, Mariah-reign will just never let up. This leaves no chance for people to actually miss her. The downside of always being relevant is that people will eventually get tired of you. Look at J.Lo. She has been everywhere pretty much since her stint in Idol, and yet she can't sell her music or her films like she used to over a decade ago. So in a way, even if technically Mariah is never on break, then I can see the possible benefits of her at least taking a break from new material. But then again, in such an ageist industry, I can also see the benefits of striking while the iron is hot (or at least, warm). Plus, as fans, we will constantly craving for new Mimi material. So if I'm really torn, I can't imagine how hard it is for Mariah, who clearly wants to go her own way yet still needs to listen to the powers that be. (Friday 12 June 2015; 3:59)

What I have learned from posting on this board (54,529) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines 1. Posters are so passionate about their points of view that they can be verbally at each other's throats at the drop of a hat. I mean seriously, who needs TV with this happening on almost a daily basis? Haha. 2. You can never be too positive or too negative on this board. Finding a middle ground between the two is also quite tricky. 3. Some moments here take you straight back to high school. Heck, this is high school. We have the popular kids, the rebels, the perceived bullies, etc. The only thing different is that underneath all these stereotypes, we are all Mariah geeks. 4. Lists are ever so popular. 5. The webmaster rarely breaks his silence , and when he does, he gets the most likes. 6. Herd mentality is also present, so much so that those who have different opinions are marginalized at best and attacked at worst. 7. Forget haters and bashers. Lambs have always been Mariah's toughest critics. Always. 8. "Goats" and "eternal optimists" are two ends of the spectrum. 9. There will always be a post that comes along that's unsettling enough to remind you that sometimes a break from posting is needed to preserve your sanity. 10. It's still the best Mariah messageboard out there. (Thursday 11 June 2015; 12:59)

The thing about "buzz" singles is (54,301) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines Does it really matter? Do people really care? I remember in the 90s to mid-00s, the term buzz/promotional single really meant what it implies. Nothing official. Just to create hype. These days, it has turned into more of an excuse. An intended single fails to make an impact or performs below expectations - it's relegated to buzz single status to somehow save its artist and record label from being branded a flop. So in this day and age where someone as big as Beyoncé had to release a string of failed songs before deciding she'd surprise drop an entire album, or someone as young as Rihanna has already released 3 singles and 2 videos to promote her eighth album but to no avail, I think Mariah's doing better than expected in this brutally ageist industry, especially for a legacy artist. I mean how many other 90's artists can say they've charted thrice on the Hot 100 in the past 2 years? She can fare better, but if she doesn't then she still has it better than most of them. (Sunday 7 June 2015; 0:48)

Infinity video/s? (54,170) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines Okay, I had high hopes for this one, and although I was more than a bit let down, I think it's a smart promotional strategy. It's practically an ad for her residency, and although its semblance of a storyline is under-baked and quite the mess, she still looks mighty fine. Weren't there rumors of her shooting two videos for the song, though? Like probably where the first leaked teaser (Mariah in her boudoir) came from? (Thursday 4 June 2015; 10:14)

Licia (54,138) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines Sorry, I overlooked your list. I'm currently accessing this site from my phone. My bad. Haha. Yeah, I don't think To The Floor is anywhere near Mariah's best work. It just ends up sounding hollow to me for some reason. Like it lacks something. A melody maybe. I mean it has one, sure, but it's quite dodgy. (Wednesday 3 June 2015; 23:46)

Mimi L. / Licia (54,137) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines Mimi, sorry, I just couldn't get into those songs. Haha. I'd like to see your list. Licia, I have heard the original, and although I know it was a bit longer, Mariah's cover to me seems to sound longer because she sounds like a featured artist in her own cover track. Haha. Want to know your list as well. (Wednesday 3 June 2015; 23:40)

5 songs Mariah should never have done (54,102) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines Despite how much we love our girl to death, we each have our own list of tracks which are not too fond of that have us reaching for the skip button every time they come along. This should be interesting. Mine are: 5. I Want To Know What Love Is - Okay, I don't hate it, I may even enjoy parts of it at times, but of all her ballad covers, this one impresses me the least. Her restraint in here is commendable, but the final product was a shadow of the original, so watered down. 4. Triumphant (Get 'Em) - There's a reason why this flopped. It just has zero crossover appeal, plus that chorus (which has potential) just ends up sounding limp for some reason. 3. My Love - I just never got into this track. Like ever. And the worst part is that I don't know why. 2. Got A Thing 4 You - I mean, I love "What You Won't Do For Love", but it is just wasted on this weird concoction. 1. Last Night A DJ Saved My Life - This track exemplifies what the biggest problem of Glitter was (it sticks out like a sore thumb in an otherwise great album): too many featured guests. It drags on way too long. It sounds fine in the context of the album, but as a track, this is just the sonic form of the term "ill-advised". (Wednesday 3 June 2015; 13:13)

Britney and Mariah (53,997) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines It could work. They are both brilliant artists who were unstoppable at their prime and have been through hell and back. Why shouldn't it work? Okay, I know this is a Mariah board, but I wanna spread some Britney love as well. I always feel like I have to defend her in a way. Yes, she isn't that much of a singer, and that pairing her with Mariah would be like pitting a kitten against a lion, but she does have something in common with Mimi and that is having an instantly recognizable voice. If your squeaky voice can still be discerned even when it's buried under tons of autotune, I mean, that's a gift. And people always overlook the fact that she is probably the best vocal actress out there. She does have a limited range, but she takes advantage of what she has by being able to match her way of singing to what the song requires. Anyone who has heard her entire catalogue can see that she's more than just a producer's muse. Plus she's got unparalleled charisma. So yeah, I also have a soft spot for her. (Monday 1 June 2015; 13:03)

Bill / Loverboy (53,996) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines Thank you for the response. Yeah, I had a feeling it was rushed as well, which probably shows just how much they were pressed for time and maybe even were playing catch-up so that's probably why it doesn't sound as polished as the rest of the album. And yes, that taste of what it could've sounded like in the remix just shows how much more potential it could have had to be a hit single. Heck, that Fireckracker sample is even immediately catchier than the samples used for Honey and Heartbreaker in my opinion. Such a wasted (stolen) chance. (Monday 1 June 2015; 12:45)

Loverboy (53,943) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines Is it just me or does Mariah's voice sound a bit weird in this? Like a little more nasal than usual or something? Her voice on the other songs on Glitter sounded normal. I always thought she probably had a cold when she recorded this. Anyways, I know this song isn't one of Mariah's best-known hits, but I wonder how the final version would actually sound like if Tommy didn't sabotage the Fireckracker sampling plans. I think the replacement sample they had to settle with overall just sounds awkward in the final mix. Something about it just didn't complement the melody and harmonies of the song as well as Blind Alley did for Dreamlover and Genius Of Love did for Fantasy. I still like it, though, especially the Dreamy Club Of Love Radio Edit. Smooth and slinky. (Sunday 31 May 2015; 12:14)

Mimi on AI being "fake" / candid Mariah (53,941) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines Right on. Finally, someone who's brave enough to call it. That's the most annoying part of the show (or any other singing show with a commenting judging panel for that matter). Every time those shows come on and the judges give their comments, I actually feel bad for them because they have to make up critiques for multiple contestants, trying so hard not to repeat themselves at least within the episode. I mean, I know they signed up for that task, but come on, that's gotta be a challenge even for the most gifted speakers. No wonder Mariah was rambling most of the time. She was always running out of word choices to comment on performances she probably even didn't feel like commenting on in the first place. But as much as I love Mariah's recent brutal honesty about things, I can see how this may come across as catty and unprofessional, perpetuating her reputation as a difficult diva. Of course that isn't her intention, but then again, even if she did a 180 and settled for safe remarks on controversial topics, she'd be the one called out for being fake with all her contrived "showbiz" answers. She just can't win and it sucks. (Sunday 31 May 2015; 11:03)

Mariah's pride / TGIFY in Vegas (53,793) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines I'm really glad that Mariah isn't one of those artists who are too proud to drop keys when they perform their songs live. I'd much prefer her singing on a lowered arrangement than lip synch pretty much an entire song just because it's harder to for her to replicate it live than it was for her before. With that thought out of the way, I know it's practically gotten universal acclaim here but can we just once again bow down in respect for that stripped down rendition? It's interesting because TGIFY is probably her most maligned #1 and is often considered one of her more forgettable hits. So how ironic is it that she turned it into the night's highlight? Said it before, I'll say it again - it's consistency that she struggles with. On a bad day, Mariah is still a force to be reckoned with. On a good day, she's in a league of her own. (Wednesday 27 May 2015; 12:04)

Baby / Mariah fandom (53,789) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines It can be sad to be the only Mariah fan from where you are, though I think there are others out there, you just have to look. If it's any consolation, it's not like there are a lot of Mariah fans here as well. Most just know her name and associate her with her biggest hits. Although there are hardcore lambs out here who are very active even in social media (I mean, they hold regular gatherings and stuff, they print Mariah shirts out of her latest single/album covers, and even they raised funds to buy Mariah a fan club gift, among others, during her latest tour when she stopped by last October), the masses here usually identify with songs first, then when they like more than a few, they start to become fans of the artist and start following them, and once they do, they're usually extremely loyal. It's not like Mariah's a topic worth discussing here on regular days, but when she releases new material or visits the country, it's amusing to see the "closeted" lambs suddenly come out of the woodwork. Haha. (Wednesday 27 May 2015; 9:54)

Baby / Pinoy Carey-oke (53,787) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines You're welcome, though I think my fellow Pinoy out here explained it better in a shorter way, haha. Anyways, no, it's not like every Filipino here is out belting some Mariah hit, but a lot enjoy just belting out, period - regardless of whose hits they are. I believe the most popular Carey-oke songs here are: 1) Hero (this is everywhere, like if you haven't heard this on the radio, which is impossible, you've probably heard it from your neighbor first) 2) Through The Rain (this is pretty much as huge as Hero here, and it's probably because we are suckers for inspirational sappy ballads) 3) Without You (a lot attempt and of course, fail to emulate Mariah's belting during the chorus - miserably) 4) Love Takes Time (this is better known here than Vision Of Love) 5) Always Be My Baby (probably the most uptempo song on this list, highlighting our overwhelming preference for ballads) 6) My All (most of those who try to sing this eventually end up either straining or lip-synching to the high parts) 7) All I Want For Christmas Is You (naturally) 8) Open Arms (just as known as the Journey version) 9) I Still Believe (another favorite) 10) Can't Take That Away (told you we love us some self-help songs) 11) Endless Love (as popular as the Ross-Richie duet) 12) Thank God I Found You (one of the more popular Mariah song choices for duets) 13) Never Too Far (yes, this is somewhat known thanks to its exposure as a contest piece in televised singing competitions) (Wednesday 27 May 2015; 9:35)

Baby / Pinoys and karaoke (53,721) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines This response may be a bit late, but here it goes. Videoke/karaoke is a huge part of Filipino culture. You can't go anywhere in our country without seeing someone with a mic belting out an old pop hit. Filipinos have a wider, more considerate appreciation for singing talent. Where in most places, there is a strong need for individuality, we don't care so much for it here. It can be a bad thing, to a point where the general public would just applaud anyone who can hit high notes or belt out regardless of pleasantness of tone. We're usually only critical of those who go out of tune or mispronounce lyrics. So yeah, I guess one could say we have a slightly warped perception of singing talent, haha. Only several of our artists have a really distinguishable vocal, the others are practically interchangeable. Just like other Asian countries such as Japan, we feed on western pop culture and try to adopt it as much as possible. That's why cover versions are so popular in the Philippines, so much so that anyone with a decent enough voice can practically build a career around doing so, and every romcom or even drama flick here these days is titled after popular (mostly 80's and 90's) hit songs or a phrase from their lyrics. There isn't much demand for originality in our country in terms of artistic material, as people are content with what's familiar. Even the performance styles of most of our singers are very much influenced by foreign ones. I can think of 3 who are most influenced by Mariah (check them out as they're quite good) - Nina (whistles), Kyla (breathiness), and Regine Velasquez (belting). So overall, I'm good with how we Pinoys perceive music. Our openness makes us more forgiving and supportive as fans (a trait we share with most Asians), which is even why the most obscure foreign artists keep coming back to Asia, because with our loyalty, they're assured of fans for life. I'm glad that even if Mariah seems to be struggling in her homeland and most of the world, she is pretty much guaranteed to chart here in the Orient. (Saturday 23 May 2015; 23:39)

What are your top 3 favorite #1s and why? (53,616) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines As a way of celebrating Mariah's 1) 25 years in the biz, 2) latest single, 3) newest compilation, 4) Vegas residency, 5) divorce (yes, I went there), 6) new label for doing great so far in terms of support, 7) kickass recent interviews, 8) overall rejuvenated vibe, 9) great live performances, 10) unparalleled legacy, can we all bask in this festive mood by stating our top 3 #1s? Mine are: 1) Fantasy 2) Honey 3) Heartbreaker I see these 3 as the holy trinity of lead singles, as they best exemplify Mariah's smooth transition from R&B/pop to hip-hop to urban sounds. What are yours? (Thursday 21 May 2015; 15:17)

Time review of #1 To Infinity (53,611) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines This is probably one of the best reviews of any Mariah album I have read, not because it was favorable, but because it is impressively well balanced and complete, effectively summarizing Mariah's entire identity as an artist, her highs, her lows, her flaws, her artistic output, etc. It may as well be written by a fan, but it still manages to be straightforwardly honest without ever being offensive. Much respect to the writer for being able to achieve such delicate balance. (Thursday 21 May 2015; 9:43)

Keep on at your own pace, Mariah (53,576) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines I'm someone who loves to criticize, at times even when unwarranted, and I'm not proud of that. But when I see current Mariah clearly doing her best to promote her new song, compilation, and latest endeavors, it would just be so heartless of me to still have the nerve to nitpick her performances, even if it were out of love. This is probably the most focused she has been since the early MOAIA era, and the best promotional efforts I have seen for her material from her label since the E=MC2 era. I'm so happy for her. She finally seems like she's in a really good place in both her professional and personal life, and it shows in her interviews. She's gradually gaining back her faith and confidence. I'm way too cautious to call it another comeback, but for the first time in a really long time, I'm feeling hopeful for her future. (Wednesday 20 May 2015; 11:45)

The game ain't what it used to be (53,574) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines Like, really. It's a tougher world out there for any singer. Trends are more unpredictable, and following them is no guarantee for success. This is all mostly because of today's younger demographic. They're generally impatient, less open minded, and have the attention span of a kid. Young people don't follow J.Lo for her music. They just see her as a cool aunt who dresses well, but couldn't care less when she actually performs. So on top of the ageism which is increasingly proving to be a real thing, we have a majority of the most rabid music buyers who would choose trend over talent/quality/history any day. Sad but true. We're at a time where someone as young and influential as Rihanna is currently struggling to get a hit single. And to think she just had her last #1 hit less than two years ago. Exactly. Times are hard. Maybe we've been too hard on Mariah. (Wednesday 20 May 2015; 11:07)

Younger throwback artists (53,339) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines Mariah is musically an old soul. No matter how strong her hip-hop influences are, her sound will always be deeply rooted in singers and hits of the past. I'm always happy to see younger artists dabbling in retro sonics for their material. Since Amy's not around anymore, at least we can be thankful for Adele, Bruno Mars, Meghan Trainor, Charlie Puth, Sam Smith, and yes, even Ariana Grande for somehow keeping this sound alive by introducing them to this younger generation who seem to be all about the Taylors, Katys, and Rihannas these days. Of course they're never gonna do doo-wop like Mariah does, or complement "wall of sound" production like Amy does, but at least they're there to balance all the mindless generic pop that currently seems to be flooding the airwaves. (Friday 15 May 2015; 8:32)

Mariah's wisdom (53,333) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines Even when she was young and starting out, Mariah always had this beyond her years maturity. Yes, maybe she learned to indulge the 12-year old self more and more as her career progressed, but she would always have this more serious side that she usually only shows in more intimate and casual interviews. It's very interesting to see how these conversations reveal just how smart and savvy she is. Especially her latest interviews, where her answers seem to hold more weight (like kilos, haha) and substance than ever before, possibly because they come from a woman who has weathered more storms than most artists can get out alive of. The wisdom in her most recent words is intriguing and quite extraordinary, as they manage the delicate balance between being too safe and revealing too much. That's why I find it fascinating to listen to interviews with legacy artists such as Mariah, Madonna, Janet, etc. because they have been around for so long, you can't help but learn from them. (Friday 15 May 2015; 4:27)

The AI debacle / Nigel, on the off chance you're reading this (53,236) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines Mariah would've done great on her own. Nicki also would've alone. But AI really screwed up by putting them together. There's a reason why The Voice and most other singing competitions with a 3-person panel only stick to just one female (and probably 2 in a 5 person panel). But no, Nigel - Mariah and Nicki weren't responsible for stealing the focus from the contestants. You and your team did, for doing the dumbest promotional strategy ever in the entire show's history. Focus on the feud. I highly doubt that either Mimi or Nicki's camp were the ones who gave instructions to zoom in on their faces to show each one's reaction while the other one was speaking. Like shining the spotlight on two middle-aged women throwing epic shades at each other was ever an effective way to sell a reality singing competition. This wasn't any of the Real Housewives shows or The Bachelor. AI was a show that has produced some legit talent like Kelly and Carrie. So no, neither of the two are to blame. You ignited the spark, then fanned the flames. (Wednesday 13 May 2015; 11:21)

Why now is the perfect time for a ceasefire (53,146) by this_is_qhm from the Philippines I've done my share of criticism in the past. I'm sure I will continue to do that in the future. But right now, as much as I think some critics on this board have valid points, it's also nice to see that a lot are coming to Mariah's defense so passionately. If there's a time that she needs support the most, it's now. The woman has been through hell and back repeatedly and unlike many others, she did not have to spiral out of control first before getting back on her feet. If Whitney can do crack (just because she couldn't handle, in my opinion, less worse situations than what Mariah has been through), damage her voice bigtime in the process, and still have her legacy revered by both fans and non-fans alike, then why on earth can't Mariah be afforded the same reprieve from the very people she treasures the most? Forget the times she's been kicked while she was down. Don't get me wrong, of course it wasn't easy, but she has shown time and again that she's more than strong enough to deal with that. In life, sometimes, the part of getting back up and rebuilding yourself proves to be even more challenging than the struggle itself. Now is not the time to nitpick, especially if we already have the rest of the world doing that for us. Just support would suffice and would be much more welcome. (Saturday 9 May 2015; 8:55)

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