Jun 28, 2001 09:58 PM
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Emotion :- n. excited state of joy,fear etc.
Emotive :- a. tending to arouse emotion
And that is just what she does.
Mariah has been the biggest selling female artist of the nineties. The follow-up to her debut album “Mariah Carey” was “Emotions” and this album was also a big hit in the charts which also spawned many hits. The namesake track “Emotions” was a number one hit off the 1991 album and was a record 5th consecutive number one in a row! Other releases “Can’ Let Go” and “Make It Happen” failed to make it to the top spot but still both shot into the top five!
Emotions is the first track on this hit selling album and its all funked up in a way which will get to singing along although its rather difficult when she uses her full 8 octave range. Most would find it difficult to get to her top range, she makes it seem so easy and that is why she is one of the best female singers around! With great beats and great accompanists, this song works perfectly.
The next track “And You Don’t Remember” is a contrast to the opening track which is slower in tempo and the bass is more evident therefore. Mariah Carey shows how she can use her voice in many ways and this song shows her using her voice in a way which is softer and also creates dynamic contrast which is funny because it shows emotion within her voice hence the title!
The next track is one of the albums other releases “Can’t Let Go” this song is also a slow ballad type song which picks up in tempo a bit as it progresses, the piano accompanies Mariah well again with bass beat being evident keeping pace, Mariah’s voice in this song is effective for she on occasion uses her voice in a way which is ‘Breathy’ and restless which compliments the song perfectly.
“Make It Happen” is the other release off this album and the start reminds me of a Michael Jackson track. This song is more up-tempo with more syncopated and well-worked percussion. Mariah’s voice is once again very polished and she sings with ease but once again emotion, she shows that singing is truly what she loves to do.
Track number 5 “If Its Over” is not a track that I would usually listen to, to me it sounds rather blues in nature. Mariah however sings this song in a way which wants you to listen to it from start from beginning. This track also has elements of Gospel Music in it as there are great harmonic accompaniments from gospel type singers in the background. The Middle eight of this track builds up to a climatic phrase where Mariah shows the strength of her voice.
The next track another slow one entitled “You’re So Cold” shows Mariah belting out this song along with another female singer who helps finish the intro very well with warbling included. It’s then gains pace and begins with all sorts of beats with the piano playing a repeated phrase through-out a mixture of saxophones including trumpets and trombones are also evident along with what sounds like bells which all adds to this contrasting track. This is much funkier than other tracks on the album and is jazzier also.
“So Blessed” has an intro which sounds a bit like “Unchained Melody” her voice has a soft reverb on it (that’s an echo to all you non-music technology students) which helps create a moody atmosphere. I like this song a lot as it is full of mood and emotion. Mariah’s voice is just great in this track it would have been a great love song to release.
“To Be Around You” is more of a pop/gospel track with a cool percussion which includes a syncopated (offbeat) the backing singers play a big part in this song, it makes the track fuller and polishes it off perfectly. The middle eight in this song is also quite effective with repeating lyrics such as “I just wanna, wanna give it to you, I gotta give ya my love” the clicking at the end along with the background chatter also adds to the contrast in tracks.
“Till The End Of Time” is a quite haunting track but in a good way, it is quite relaxing and Mariah uses dynamics here very well making sure not to spoil the song which is one of my faves on this album. It also uses dynamic phrases in the instruments such as the strings and percussion creating a powerful atmosphere. This track gradually get more powerful in sound through the voice and instruments and builds to a climatic ending gradually getting slower and quieter and then moves up and down in volumes through the drums and voice giving a perfect ending to an emotion filled track eventually fading out.
The last track on this album “The Wind” begins with the piano producing the intro then Mariah enters in a soft tone as the piano accompanies. This track I can picture being performed in an posh old fashioned restaurant as the track uses the piano in a old fashioned way and is rather romantic and slow in style rather in an early 1920 period when glitz and glamour was in.
This album on a whole is an excellent album and like the title suggests, it is full of emotion and Mariah demonstrates that her voice is one of a kind. Another good thing about this album as well as her other albums is that she writes the lyrics herself as well as co writing the music which is just amazing compared to new female artist such as Britney Spears who is just a performer really.
If you’re looking for an album full of emotion as well as a good singer, then this album is for you and although 10 tracks may not seem value for money, remember that its quality and not quantity for this album!
I hope this op was of value to you. p.s this album can be purchased from Amazon.co.uk for £7.99! Bargain or what!
