Open Letter #2: Memoirs of an Imperfect Era

Dear Mariah,


I have always seen you as a perfectionist, an artist that does everything to the T. One of the few artists in this industry that wouldn't do something just for the money, but for the passion and love for what you do. But this 'Memoirs' era has honestly, completely took me by surprise. I have been a fan (lamb) for 15 years, I have seen you at your peak and when you were down. But through everything i have always supported you no matter what, because that's what real fans do. I have never and will never loose one bit of love for you because your my hero. What your music has done for me i couldn't ever possibly thank you enough. You'll always be my #1. But as lambs that have been supporting you for years, i feel we should be able to have respectful opinions and disagreements with certain actions, hopefully you can agree.




Readers:
First Off, MOAIA which is an solid album. But i feel it was rushed and also very bland/flatt production. Once again being a fan of many years and owning all of Mariah's albums, I know all the elements of your typical Mimi record. I feel as if this new material was more of "The-Dream"/radio killa inspired than "Mariah". Which is cool on a few records (TMB 18th #1 for example) but i don't think this is a sound you would want for a full album. Not saying The-Dream isn't an excellent producer/writer, because he has mad talent. But i do not think he was fully experienced/equipped enough to take on a full "Mariah Carey" album. It's a combination of the both, a rushed album and not "as" experienced producers. Maybe it would have had more variety if it was more time spent on the album..who knows. I'm all for change and new sounds, but how can something possibly be new if it has been heard before? Let me quote The Dream when he said "We are trying to make an album of Mariahs greatest hits, without actually using her greatest hits". How is that possible?

Next up, Mariah's label. Island Def Jam. Now some people may say the lack of success was caused by the lack of quality delivered on the album. I beg to differ. 'Memoirs' is not an horrible album, but it's not "Emancipation" but either way, the label is suppose to promote an album (esp. MC's) to the highest degree. No matter what. 'Memoirs' has not gotten a portion of what Rihanna's "Rated R" album has got. Commercials, radio, tv..nothing in the past months. The only real promotion is Mariah's "Angels Advocate" tour. which ended last month, and we havn't seen anything since then. And the "Angels Advocate" Remix album is still slated for March 30th release.

Alot of un-professional actions have happened this era, this has never been a problem in the past. Just Simple stuff that should be organized but isn't. The AA Tour kind of hit everybody, we are in the mist of an recession and tour dates were just thrown our way. Fans had to come up with money for shows within two weeks! We love Mariah to pieces, but we do have other responsibilities as well. (bills, car notes ect.) Remember this has never happened before. All of Mariah's past tours we were all givin months in advance to purchase tickets for shows, this time around we were givin a couple of weeks! Once again where is the organization and the people that handle this kind of stuff? Next, the ticket prices..I Know, I Know what do you expect it's a Mariah Carey concert, me being a lamb i understand that. But tickets have never been this high for a Mariah Carey concert, maybe it did have to do with it being an very intimate tour, but once again it's still a recession. Mariah has some rich fans and she has some not so fortunate fans. Why not make it accountable for all fans? "I like to make my concerts affordable for all fans"-MC. i'm just saying. After paying for these high priced tickets, you want your full Mariah Carey concert experience right? Well, not so much this time around.

There has been alot of complaints regarding Mimi showing up late to evey show, which us lambs pretty much expect to begin with, so that's no biggie to us. But then there are rather short setlists at "certain" shows. I attended the show on Valentines Day (Feb.14th) i had floor seats and was very excited. Like i said as a lamb i know the drill, Mariah will be late, i will have to wait but when she hits the stage i totally forget she was late.LOL I was really enjoying the concert, until the end. I already thought the concert was pretty short. (13 song setlist) but what really blew me off was after Mariah sang WBT she didn't come back for "hero"..Me being a lamb and going to previous MC concerts, i always know after WBT Mc says "bye, goodnight"blah blah and then returns for hero..Well, to my surprise there was no hero encore..I honestly wanted to cry. I Feel like it's not a full experience if MC doesn't sing that song. I have never felt like that after a MC concert, It's like i didn't want to believe that i got ripped off from MC.LOL seriously, as a lamb i hate to admit it. Still had a great time, but something just felt like it was missing and it was "hero". I totally understand it was Valentines Day and Mariah wanted to hurry to spend time with her husband Nick, but when i bought the tickets i didn't see "no hero encore" on the description for the show.. And if you knew that why would you schedule a show on Valentines Day?

Well, anyway Mariah went on to do shows in Houston and Dallas. And the fans got complete setlists with 16 songs and an hero encore. Once again i was feeling a bit ripped off. And weeks after the tour was over. Which i feel sorry for lambs that are not in the US and couldn't attend a show, unless they traveled. which makes me a lil more grateful for even having the opportunity to see Mariah live this time around. Several things have contributed to this era just kind of being "blah". Nothing this era has been done to it's fullest potential. Everything has been half-assed. Alot of slacking and not as passionate and most of all, Rushed.

Mariah has been through so much in her career and personal life over the years and just when she has found that happy place in her personal life, things then begin to not go so superior in her career. And that's the truth. Honestly, i think it's time for Mariah to re-group and take a new approach. This all boils down to Mariah starting to do what's best for her career. It's clear that this label is not for her. All of the heavyweights have moved on from this label and on to bigger things, i think it's time she do the same. And all of this, is just my honest opinion. Mariah, love ya like free money! : )

P.S. i hope nobody takes this open letter the wrong way. it's my opinion & i will love mariah "until the end of time" ; )