Album Reviews

Mariah Carey

`Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel'

(Universal Music Korea)

Superstar Mariah Carey is back with her 12th album ``Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel.'' Expectations were high, but Carey's first single ``Obsessed''' failed to make much of an impression despite grabbing headlines for its supposed references to rapper Eminem.

For the second single, Carey does R&B version of the somewhat mushy Foreigner song ``I Want to Know What Love Is.'' Fans who are used to Carey's blustery vocal style will be disappointed, since she chose a more laidback vocal style. The album leans heavily to slow jams like ``H.A.T.E.U.,'' ``The Impossible,'' and ``More Than Just Friends,'' and not enough of the show-stopping ballads she's known for.

― Cathy Rose A. Garcia

Jay-Z

`The Blueprint 3'

(Warner Music Korea)

Jay-Z is undoubtedly one of the greatest rappers of all time, but his album ``The Blueprint 3'' does not quite live up to the hype. He makes quite a splash with ``D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune),'' which probably hit a nerve with many singers and rappers who rely on the popular program to keep them in tune.

In the album, Jay-Z worked with the hottest acts around such as Rihanna and Kanye West on ``Run This Town,'' Young Jeezy on ``Real as it Gets,'' Pharrell on ``So Ambitious,''' but it does not sound particularly fresh. His duet with Alicia Keys ``Empire State of Mind'' is one of the better tracks on the album, along with the Timbaland-produced ``Off That'' featuring Drake.

The Real Group

`The Real Album'

(Feel Music)

The Real Group, a famous a cappella group from Sweden, has released a new album for the first time in four years, and its first ever after welcoming new member Emma Nilsdotter.

The new album, titled ``The Real Album,'' features the group's signature delightful and amusing melodies, along with fun and catchy lyrics. The opening track, ``Bumble Bee,'' sounds like a soft lullaby, while ``Pass Me the Jazz'' is a rhythmic number that will have your feet tapping until the very end. The closing track ``Gee! Mine of Mozart's'' is also a memorable number, as the Real Group manages to transform the first movement of the composer's famous Symphony No.40 into sophisticated a cappella.

― Han Sang-hee