Imagine being in the wrong recording genre for ten years. It’s
enough to send anyone into psychiatric care.
Not to say Mariah Carey didn’t do too badly among the MOR
hitmakers – but geez, what a waste. Truth be told, singers like
Whitney Houston or Celine Dion don’t really sing these days – they
sort of shout with style, in a vague imitation of Aretha Franklin.
Or, if you’re Jennifer Lopez, you don’t even bother to shout;
talking with a melody will suffice.
Carey, however, can
sing. Listen to the million-and-one textures she brings to
the full spectrum of
Glitter. She can infuse a melody with pure desire as in
“Want You” with just a whispered phrasing, send a glorious high
through the pure-voiced “Lead The Way”, simply let the groove take
over in songs like “Last Night A DJ Saved My Life” and “If We”. In
fact, for the non-ballads it’s the groove that matters, the
eighties vibe that’s the star of this album; Carey is far from
center stage. She’s somewhere in the margins with the rappers,
providing more texture to the groove.
This won’t sit well with some of her fans, who want a (singing
voice) Mariiiiiiah album. So the ballads are there, two stunners
(“Never Too Far” and “Lead The Way”) and two if-ies (“Reflections”,
“Twister”). I belong to the set of critics who wish she had ditched
the last two songs in favor of more “concept” tracks but I may
change my mind when I see the movie.
At the time of writing this review, Carey may or may not be at
UCLA Medical Center receiving care. I won’t presume to know
everything that goes on in the life of a heavily-promoted pop
singer these days; I think, I mean I thought, that she would be
much better off doing music that she wants, in terms of artistry
and acceptance. She’s got a talent for grooves, obviously, and most
of all… she can
sing.
