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Mariah Carey’s first Christmas album, ‘Merry Christmas’, is widely regarded as one of the best Holiday-themed collections of the last 20 years. Comprising some of her most impressive vocal performances and the now classic ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’, the record managed to be a top seller every year since being released in 1994.
Fast-forward exactly 16 years, to a time when Carey’s career is at a commercial standstill, and the diva finally delivers a followup in the form of ‘Merry Christmas II You’. Facing widespread speculation that her time at the top of the Pop roost is over and her famed 5 octave vocal range has faded into memory, Carey manages to do what she does best: prove her critics wrong. In fact, this 13-track LP almost achieves the impossible – matching its predecessor.
Carey and her newest production partner, Marc Shaiman, introduce the listeners to the general sound of the album with a soothing live orchestra on ‘Santa Claus Is Coming To Town (Intro)’ which flows seamlessly into the project’s uptempo lead single, ‘Oh Santa’. Surprisingly, the Jermaine Dupri and Bryan-Michal Cox-produced track is actually the least impressive song on the album. Although it is framed by radio-friendly rhythms and a catchy melody, the song seems almost childish compared to the other records and features Carey’s most basic vocal performance (not including the high note extravaganza at the end).
Cox and Dupri contribute to only one other song on the collection – the 80’s Hip-Hop-flavoured ‘Here Comes Santa Claus’/’Housetop Celebration’. Sporting heavy beats and a throbbing bass guitar, this song captures the infectious energy of a Holiday house party while sampling Chic’s ‘Good Times’. Of course, this wouldn’t be a Carey album without a clever sample.
Nonetheless, where Carey truly shines is on the only duet included on the entire LP, ‘O Come All Ye Faithful’/’Hallelujah Chorus’ which features her mother, the elusive Patricia Carey. This is probably the first time that most people have heard the Opera singer on record and, without a doubt, she delivers. The duo’s vocals soar gloriously on the James ‘Big Jim’ Wright and Randy Jackson-crafted masterpiece, climaxing with a powerful combination of choir, instruments and high-octave belting. This is the gem of the album.
Unlike Carey’s last two releases, however, her signature vocal acrobatics are in ample supply, especially on the new songs that she penned herself. From the thunderous belting of ‘One Child’ and ‘When Christmas Comes’ – co-written by her ‘Mine Again’ collaborator, James Poyser – to the Nat King Cole-influenced ‘Christmas Time Is In The Air Again’, Carey displays her mastery of melody and voice, mixing Jazz and Gospel for incredible results.
Carey even finds a way to revamp her recurring hit ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’ with a lush new intro, a plethora of high notes and heartier production. Indeed, she manages to bring new life to the modern standard without degrading its core structure.
The only song that almost defeats Carey’s purpose is her impeccable rendition of ‘Oh Holy Night’ which was recorded live in 2000 at the Los Angeles’ WPC. The track acts as a benchmark against which listeners can judge the differences in her voice over the years; comparing her now somewhat thinner vocals to the robust and effortless belting of her youth. Hence, it might have been a wise decision to omit this song altogether.
Still, in the end, ‘Merry Christmas II You’ is easily the most impressive body of work Carey has put forward since 2005’s ‘The Emancipation of Mimi’. Combining Pop, Jazz, Gospel, R&B and even Hip-Hop, she proves once again why is considered one of the most prolific artists that the industry has ever seen. Her stunning rendition of ‘Auld Lang Syne (The New Year’s Anthem)’ serves as a possible metaphor of things to come as she ends the collection on dramatic high note, looking to the future with Shaiman – her new muse – and a new year of possibilities ahead. Merry Christmas!
Worst album of the year
nice review but lame at the same time!! next
@DANBOFFICIAL please make the world a better place and die <3 🙂 Thanks 🙂
LOL I second that, DANB it becomes clear you’re biased and talking s*** from when you’re making multiple posts so quickly that it’s impossible you’ve even READ what you’re judging.
Biased as ever. I’d once like to see something without such obvious bias. This is the first time a review has ever been so in depth. I’d love to see Trent writing a review of this length about an album that wasn’t Mariah’s!
Horrible@baleia. Worst album ever
@LAMB
STAY MAD QUEEN !!!
@Danbofficial Please stop. You are a reason why people say Rihanna stans are retarded and the entire #RihannaNavy unfollowed you on twitter. Stop acting like a f**** r*****, and although i think Mariah’s voice isn’t what is used to be. I wouldn’t dare call this LEGEND talentless. You idiots need to learn to get some f***** respect for people who paved the way for your faves.
ugh…
one of the most prolific artists that the industry has ever seen. LOL. Sorry Trent. Cowriah is a shadow from the past.
@REASONABLE VOICE
o.O I HAD ABOUT 4 OR 5 RIRI STANS FOLLOWING ME, THATS HARDLY #RIHANNANAVY
SMDH, DON’T TRY AND TURN THIS ISH INTO A FIST BROWN POST SWEETIE CAUSE IT’S NOT GONNA HAPPEN, TAKE A SEAT.
*WHO OWNS THE THRONE?*
*YOU DO MOMMY!*
I see pressed h*** all over these comments!!!!!! if u claim not to like like her why the f*** have u commented like the most over and over @Dangbofficial ?!?!?! And ur a rihanna fan?!?!?!?! B**** have a f****** seat like real quick!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! f*** u and that red head cant sing Billy goat!!!!!!! and f*** wat ever u believe in !!!!! #LAMBGOHARD!!!!!!!!!
ON WONDER WHY SHE FINALLY ANNOUNCES THAT SHE PREGNANT JUST TO PROMOTE HER FLOP CHRISTMAS ALBUM
JUST ACCEPT THAT HER UPPER & LOWER REGISTER ARE DEAD TRENT…
THEN WE CAN MOVE FORWARD TOGETHER, WHO KNOWS TRENT MAYBE IN THE FUTRUE I MAY EVEN UNBLOCK YOU ON TWITTER HONEY T !!!
*WHO OWNS THE THRONE?*
*YOU DO MOMMY!*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTtMXLe5z3Y&feature=related
This KILLS *EVERYTHING* @DANBOFFICIAL has EVER posted in regards to Mimi and Rihanna.
You’re done.
Game over.
x
Her BEST album in years!
I am not even a big fan but with this album she redeemed herself in my eyes.
She SINGS just like the 90’s.
You won’t regret buying such a Christmas masterpiece. Congratulations Mariah! Hopefully she will work with Ms Kelly Rowland in the future lol.
@ Danofficial
You do realize that the only one who “Owns the Throne” is Mariah. She has left her mark on the industry and your little childish antics can’t erase that fact. You seem to forget that “The Noise” has tried to be apart of Clique of elite vocalist and has failed. She’s still playing Cyndi Lauper to Britney’s Madonna. Before you comment on anyone losing their voice, you might want to have a chat with Christina about her throat shredding technique.
@NO1LAMB
That was a crime against humanity. Why did they not put her down for this? LOL
LOOOOL maybe goat is a sacred meat in Barbados
*DEAD*
Dambofficial, F*** OFF B****!
This album is Simply amazing!!! great review!
Eat this haters! More great reviews to come!
Us Weekly Reviews Merry Christmas II You
Mariah Carey
Merry Christmas II You
By Ian Drew, Us Weekly (Nov. 8)
3.5 STARS OUT OF 4
Sixteen years after her landmark holiday CD, Merry Christmas, Mariah Carey presents a second set of glittery yuletide standards, plus four originals. The disc’s biggest gift? The glorious gospel “O Come All Ye Faithful/Hallelujah Chorus,” where the diva duets with her opera singer mom, Patricia!
@NO1LAMB
BWAHAHAHAHHaaa
You hear that fake applause in the beginning of the video?
@danbofficial What does this have to do with Chris Brown? You lack serious reading comprehension. STFU and SIT DOWN.
LMAO @TIFF I JUST NOTICED WHAT UR TALKING ABOUT. LISTEN TO HOW ABRUPTLY IT ENDS, THEY COULD HAVE MADE IT MORE REALISTIC.. I CAN’T.
Lol I love you Trent. @ Everyone else, be a lamb would ya thank ya 😀
@NO1LAMB
LOL! I know right…like anyone would even clap at that horrible mess…she doesnt sound much better now.
——————————————————
YASS Trent remove those comments!
Loves it. Now go on ahead and block him…again.
wow this album isnt THAT aweful , but the review is obviously biased, either way it aint going to sell much, not without a hit christmas song.
THE REVIEW ISNT BIASED YOU IDIOTS!!!
IF YOU DON’T LIKE IT THEN F*** OFF BUT REVIEWS ARE OPINIONS OF THE WRITER!!!
AND IF THATS HIS OPINION THEN ITS HIS OPINION…..SO F*** OFF
Good review Trent and its actually the same review its been getting everywhere else.
I agree with the Oh Holy Night thing…it was just unnecessary. She could have done another song.
But I can’t wait to get my album. My bootleg has been bumpin in my car for the last two days
DEAD at the Rihanna stans talking about Mariah’s vocals when Goathanna can’t even hold a match to the candle to even light the dim hope that she can compare to Mariah
This Is an Amazing Album
i would love to have these h*** who tryintg to shade Mariah’s twitter..cuz im ready to drag! and dont even talk about MARIAH only confirming cuz of the album…that rihanna thing talking bout Chris Whooping her ass AGAIN..just to get buzz for her f****** album!!! Keep it real cutee!!!! Mariah’s 1 whistle >>>>>>>>> Riahnna’s entire career !! and thats all b****!!
And great review btw…. !! f*** who ever says its biased!
Mariah is just AMAZING period !!!!!!!!! Her VOCALS are magical on this album. The album is Brilliant !!!!!!!!! She is 1 of the most Prolific artist ever !!!!!!!!!!! ATONISHING !!!
Mariah-careys-merry-christmas-ii-you-has-leaked 🙂
Commercial stand still ? I did’nt notice, when you’re still having hot100 hits and certified albums especially in these times, i don’t buy it.
2 out of 5
THE WORST CHRISTMAS ALBUM 2010
Sit down, Mariah. You prime is up 🙁
The only people who would find this album even remotely good, are Mariah’s delusional fans, or maybe some 1st graders.
If her album is any indication of her heavily photo-shopped album cover, and this less then stellar track (Oh Santa), we might see the end of Mariah’s music career, which many believe ended with Memoirs Of An Imperfect Angel.
Rating 4.5 = Luke warm = F L O P 🙁
Here come the same haters, that stay mad in every post, go worry about your favorite flops, your comments aren’t funny. Move on. Quit hating and get a hobby. She out did herself on this album. Thats why your mad. lol.
MooMoo’s recycles CD cover photo !!!!!!!???????
LMFAO
The review is funny @ last attempt to save the Old Angel flopped career , globally !
This is very biased trent. If this were Beyonce, Whitney, or Rihanna with the exact same project, you’d be throwing shade and hating. Keep it real sister-girl Trent.
You gays are so funny…. 🙂
This album is nothing but to recoup her sales from her last 2 albums that flopped…!
Biased
biased
biased
biased
….more biased from desperate delusional Lambs!
“….is widely regarded as one of the best Holiday-themed collections of the last 20 years”.
ARE YOU HOME-SCHOOLED? LIVE IN THE DUNGEON? 🙂
Please, someone tell “flake Mariah & Lambs”, what obviously nobody has had the courage to tell them before:,
“She getting older now, go home, put on some clothes, sing with her heart not auto-tunes and grow up!”…………..RETIRE!
EVEN IF THIS WAS A 1 STAR ALBUM SHE STILL HAS MORE MONEY THAN YALL PATHETIC F** ASSES LMAO !!!! GOODBYE
TERRIBLE ALBUM REVIEW AND A TERRIBLE ALBUM.
I agree completley Trent, it’s her best album since TEOM. Mariah will continue to disapoint the haters, she will always make music and the lambs will always love it.
GUYS
Its the same person doing all the HATE posts. Just doing it under different names!!!
The Temptations Xmas album is my fave
AS USUAL TRENT THE MORON DELETES, MODIFIES, EDITS POSTS. I CANT BELIEVE OF ALL THE FREAKIN BLOGS ON THE NET, S/HE’S THE ONLY D***** BAG THAT DOES THIS. WOW, WHAT AN INSECURE B**** FUCKTARD!!!
HERE’S THE FORMULA. WHENEVER TRENT REVIEWS A LAMB MADE FAT-RIAH PRODUCT, ALWAYS DEDUCT 2.0 POINTS FOR COEFFICIENT OF ERROR (100% BIAS FACTOR). THUS, 4.5 – 2.0 = 2.5.
CONCLUSION: IN THE REAL WORLD “NON-LAMB” MUSICAL REVIEWS, THIS CD IS 2.5 STARS OUT OF 5. AS ALWAYS… BUYER BEWARE.
NEXT!!
this is one of MARIAH’s best ALBUM 🙂 ITS THE EMANCIPATION CHRISTMAS ALBUM OF MIMI
The whole Album is from the FINEST 🙂 I Am Happy and MARIAH just Showed The World AGAIN That She is The ONE & ONLY with an ANGELS VOICE 🙂
HATERS STEP BACK 🙂 THE REAL QUEEN IS BACK
KATY PERRY’S NEW MUSIC VIDEO, ‘Firework’
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid62744237001?bctid=651229362001
Entirely shot in Budapest, Hungary, EU.
The album is amazing!!!
I love “One Child”, “When Christmas Comes” is different point of vue of the Christmas songs.
Nobody con compare with Mariah. Her voice is so deep.
“One Child” for me is one of the best original Christmas song I’ve ever heard and they have all come from her. I can’t think of an original christmas song from any other artist that has really resounded the way that has and the way All I Want For Christmas Is You has over the years.
I think “Oh Santa” will be a radio hit once Christmas rolls in and again she will have aother one.
She should just do holiday music from now on…lol
AGREE TOTALLY. AMAZING ALBUM. YES SHE HAS 5 OTAVES AND NOT 6, 7 OR 8 THAT SO MANY IGNORANT PEOPLE THINK. THE DUET WIT HER MOM IS A TRUE GEM. IT IS MORE LOVED THAN HATED. U GO MARIAH!!!!
I have download the leaked Mariah’s album…pretty disappointing ! 🙁
Um E=M2 sold nearly 1.5 million units in 08′ that is not a flop. You are lol !
Trent,
I guess this review as fake as Mimi’s plastic huge boobs…huh? 🙂
It was a really good album. The old song was outstanding yet out of place. I give it 4/5
As I predicted, there are the same pathetic haters continuing to comment about someone they hate. Why waste your energy on someone you dislike so much? Save that energy for when TGG posts about someone you enjoy. I don’t bother to read or post about an artist I don’t like, so why do you continue to? You will never change the minds of Mariah’s fans, and your vitriolic comments will not affect her career. So why bother? For some of you it’s bordering on obsession. Like Mariah sang “Why you so obsessed” with her?
Moving on…I love, love, love the album! So many great tracks. I do feel that they could have done without O Holy Night (2000) and replaced it with a new song, but that is a tiny qualm. I truly appreciate the time, work and effort Mariah puts into all of her projects. From writing and producing, to her signature intricate background vocals and flourishes, there is no one who does it like her. She truly is the Queen of Christmas music and the hardest working woman in the business. Kudos to you Mariah.
MCIIY standout tracks for me are (in no particular order):
Christmas Time Is In The Air Again (this song would suit a film from the 40’s, very classic sounding. I’m sure some people will think it’s a cover)
When Christmas Comes (would love to hear something like this on her next regular album)
Charlie Brown Christmas
O Come All Ye Faithful/Hallelujah Chorus
One Child
I hope she works with Mark Shaiman again. Their collaborations are simply lovely.
Ha at that album cover, photoshopped like a M.F. This is just me being honest so hater can hate. She hasn’t looked this svelte since Butterfly.
BLAM, now you all get a taste of the b**** pudding
@TERESA
Marc is definitely the new Walter. His productions are amazing and so lush and full. We havent heard this kinda music behind Mariah in a long time and it feels so good. I would love him to re do Fly LIke A Bird
Pressed H*** fall back!!! Mariah >>>>>Ur FAVE!!!!!
mariah carey has sold 200 million albums worldwide…bish can flop as much as she wants too..
we already know she can sing..
and beside this xmas albums is for her fans, if u think shes a flop, why the f*** ur wasting ur time commenting?
the bish money is longer than any half the broads, who needs to f*** for tracks…
go mimi
THE WORST ALBUM OF THE LAST 20 YEARS THAT’S FOR SURE.
Nice album. It is not as good as her first album but should sell well since Mariah’s Christmas CD does not have much competition this year. It is nice to see her working with JD again. Maybe I need to replay the CD but I am not hearing anything special, even in the tracks her stans were “amazed” by like her duet with Patricia Carey. I think I am used to a more soulful sounding Mariah and this CD seems like her label was forced to take old unreleased material and have her record five new tracks to complete the CD. In recording the new tracks the soul was definately their but the voice was not like it used to be. Most artists keep the voice and start losing soul but with Mariah it is obviously the opposite.
Okay, so Trent is biased…………then what about R*****, JustJared, US Weekly, etc. etc. all of whom gave this album glowing reviews.
At least Trent gave a detailed review and explained what he liked about the album.
Saying that its “the worst album of the year” doesnt exactly prove anything.
Nobody should even bother with DANBOFFICIAL. He claims Mariah can’t sing and calls her a flop, yet he/she/it stans for RIHANNA AND CHRISTINA AGUILERA! LLLLLMMMMFFFFAAAAOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Meh haters like Kiki are just attention whores with the intellect of a plastic bucket. We all know that Mariah has them wrapped around her little finger. Anyway, I’m definitely getting this album. She’s the greatest!
Mariah brought it with the Vocals and the music, theres gonna be haters and what not. But she did a brilliant job. Everything is spot on. Haters kick rocks. Go help your favorite flop move some units and get some hits. To bad you can’t. Say what you want but Mariah got this in the bag Loserssssss !!!!!!! She has Soul,Passion,Vocals everything on this album.
The review is a joke !!!! 🙁
Amazing album!!! and I’m not even a fan! 😛
Of course… the haters are eating their butts out…
I expected it and I’m truly enjoying their distress… Oh, how nice it feels, ha ha… 🙂
WHY THE F*** DOES SHE WHSPER SOOOO MUCH ON THE ALBUM ???????
UGH, I absolutely hate it !!!!!
F*** YOU MARIAH !!!
Why can’t she sing in Always be my baby voice ?????
Yuck yuck just PLAIN YUCK !!!
I renounce my lamb-hood.
I’m don with this whispery s***.Wake up or go to hell,mariah cu frankly,i don’t care anymore.
And all those gooey deluded lambs,yall are helping her kill her potentially excellent material by NOT telling her how awful she sounds in lower register.
Mariah IS the best and will ALWAYS BE THE BEST!
THIS NEW CD IS AMAZING!!!!! OF COURSE SHE IS NOT PERFECT AS SHE WAS WHEN SHE STARTED 20, LET ME SAY, 20 YEARS AGO. BUT SHE IS AMAZING STILL!!! SHE IS STILL PRETTY DAMN CLOSE!!! LIKE SHE SAYS TO THE HATERS, THEY CAN’T TAKE THAT AWAY FROM ME!!! GOD BLESS YOU MARIAH!!!! KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK, I LOVE HER DOING CHRISTMAS!!! P.S. TO ALL THE HATERS, THIS IS NOT A FLOP!!!! I BOUGHT 200 COPIES OF THIS ONE CD SO I CAN PASS THEM OUT AS PRESENTS. AND YES THEY ARE ALREADY PAID FOR!!!! THAT IS JUST FROM ME AND I AM ONE PERSON. THIS CD IS GREAT, IT DESERVES TO BE A HUGE HIT!! MARIAH WORKED HARD FOR THIS, SHE DESERVES IT! CHRISTMAS IS NOT CHRISTMAS WITHOUT MC!
STFU RANJEET my aren’t you a speshul little snowflake.
@ranjeet:
Whispering???
Do you know what whispering’ means? When you don’t use your voice at all… Which is NOT the case… So STFU…
It will definitely be worth buying for
The best album Mariah recorded in years.
One of the best offerings this year.
This is how holiday album should be done.
All the b****** hating probably haven’t even heard her album. Some of you guys need God though. How do you guys have the balls to hate on Christmas music? Wow, I’ll pray for you all. In the meanwhile, I’ll listen to the angelic voice of the greatest vocalist of all time.
I’m so excited for this album, I am already playing some of the songs non-stop ha ha they’re so catchy, definitely one of her best!
I have to be honest, this is her best album in the last 10 years and totally redeems her from the worst album of her career, which was the Memoirs album. She sounds so much better singing this type of music than the s*** with rappers and stuff all over it. My favorite is the Here Comes Santa Claus song and Little Town of Bethlehem. When Mariah Carey doesn’t try to be all hip and younger than a actual age, she soars. The little fun moments she has are welcome, as long as she does it in a way that benefits the music, like on this album. Finally, a Mariah album that actually gave me chills again. All the haters need to back off of her on this album, because she did good on it. One of her best for sure.
Sooooo I got this album a week ago and just listened last night. For years starting with her hiphop/video-vixen trip of the late 90s Mariah has been criticized for being childish and not acting her age. She’s finally put out the record fans have been waiting years to hear.
True fan here from top to bottom but to be honest I expected a lot more. She seems lately to be holding back and I wish she’d just belt it out like I know she can
@VonniMediaMogul
You are correct. In fact, I am one of those who have been wishing for the old mariah to come back. When i heard all the songs, it brought back my first love for mariah.
Haters can hate but they cannot take it away from mariah and the lambs. In fact, the reason they hate mariah more is because they know that no one compares to mariah. Can haters bring out an artist out there that is as talented as mariah? Who can write songs of their own, arrange them and make different versions? Is there any artist out there who has different styles in signing?
So LAMBs, let them do it. does not change the fact that Mariah is a legend and can touch people’s lives and hearts through her songs.
I Love You, my Mariah! I am grateful to God for you!!!
people who r saying this album is bad have clearly not heard the album. go and listen to ur chipmunks or whatever seriously
I have just heard the entire album it is simply amazing. Mariah delivers so well, her voice is full, the vocal acrobatics match that of the albums recorded in the 90s. Simply incridible album, extremly well produced. She put so much soul and sang with so much emotion. Now that she came out saying that she lost a baby just before xmas last yr and that after Celine Dion gave her tips to get pregnant again….she’s been through a lot in the past yr and she was elegant and private about it for such a long time. Whatever she’s been through you can feel it, she sang it away on this album!!! WOW Mariah still is one of the best singers of all time.
What i really do not understand is that WHY THESE HATERS KEEP SAYING BAD AGAINST MARIAH.
HATERS, are you all perfect? Even angels commit mistakes. But i understand that in this world there are many scattered SATAN’s followers.
Satan’s followers will do the best they can do to destroy others: by actions or by words. You may not admit it but your actions and ways of throwing words show it.
Mariah is also HUMAN and commit mistakes and so are you, and so are we! Has she done something bad against you? Did she murder one of your family members? Has someone you love died because of listening to her songs? Has she stolen something from you?
in John 8:7 it says:
“So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.”
Shame on you Haters!!!!
Mariah is just singing, trying to make people happy using her talent. She is fat, yes!!!! So? Are you discriminating other fat people out there too?
Her voice has changed. So? Do you have a singing voice that can touch other people’s lives?
Now, I can say that I am preaching because you people are lost. Get a life!!! Read the BIBLE and you will learn to appreciate God’s creation.
Now, if you still continue doing what you’re doing after reading this message, then i can say that you all are SATAN’s sons and duaghters.
PITY ON YOU!!!
Go Mariah! Don’t let anyone put you down. You have touched many people’s lives and we are all grateful to GOD that you are existing in this world!!!
i give it 5/5, mariah has an amazing voice, all these haters cant even sing, i loved it, i play it everyday, if you dont like mimi go somwer else. she aint singing for ya ll haters!
mariah always
love you mwa
i can’t help but play the songs over and over. I just can’t play it loud enough because it’s not yet December. But when it’s time then i’ll play them all so people can hear the amazing christmas songs they have never heard in their entire life…
Amazing!!!
5/5
Mariah proved she still has this incredible angelic voice!!!! The album is amazing. Some songs are so touching that they almost have me crying. We’re so blessed to have this christmas gift by Mariah.
haters, hate. Keeps Mariah bring it even more. Great review, and AMAZING album. Merry Christmas, II You 😉 hehehe