[ENTERTAINMENT]'Glitter' Not the Gold Carey Fans Expect
Published: 05 Jan. 2003, 20:07
"I'm honestly, really, really delirious and stressed out and overworked and doing too much," said Mariah Carey, one of the busiest and hottest female singers on the worldwide music scene. Her recent "emotional and physical breakdown," according to her spokesperson at Virgin Records, resulted in the postponing of her new album "Glitter" from Aug. 21 to Sept. 11. A film of the same title, starring Carey, is due for release on Sept. 21 in the United States, for December in Korea. With rumors of suicide attempts and insomnia from too much stress, Carey's recent life both professionally and personally has not been easy.
Since her debut, Carey has been recognized as a singing diva with both musical talent and a comely appearance. She racked up 15 number one singles in the 1990s, but as time has gone by, Carey appears to have become more focused on her image than her music. Her clothes have changed from black evening dresses to flashy halter tops and tight hotpants. In the photos for this album, she shows off in gaudier poses than ever. The songs are what's important and Carey's new tracks do not meet her fans' high expectations.
The "Glitter" album's first single, "Loverboy Remix," also on the original sound track for the film, is supposed to be an exciting up-tempo dance track. It reminds the listeners of Carey's former number one hit, "Dream Lover," but is rather weaker and unfocused. "Lead the Way," the second track, is a typical ballad, and also comes across as boring. Her remake of the song made famous by Robert Palmer, "Didn't Mean to Turn You on," is more recommendable, as is the second single "Never Too Far," a ballad produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Louise. Carey remains true to form with her squealing vibrato that croons then suddenly explodes. Carey's voice sounds more mature here, but none of these new songs are as impressive as her former hits like "I'll Be There" or "One Sweet Day."
Despite these songs' weaknesses, the first single "Lover Boy," introduced in early August in the United States, topped the charts within two weeks of its release.
The film seems like an autobiography of Carey herself, although she and the movie company strongly deny any such thing. "There are certain elements that are similar, but it's kind of the opposite scenario of what my life is," Carey said. "Glitter" tells the story of Billie Frank, a young woman with a great musical talent working as a waitress. Her white father deserted the family years before, and her black mother is addicted to drugs. Billie, motivated by the desire for revenge against her parents, gradually finds success and fortune as a singer.
Although Carey says that she is exhausted from doing too much, it seems like she is the major person driving herself on to do more and more. Now back on her feet again after the breakdown, Carey is determined to star in another film, titled "Wise Girls."
Since her debut, Carey has been recognized as a singing diva with both musical talent and a comely appearance. She racked up 15 number one singles in the 1990s, but as time has gone by, Carey appears to have become more focused on her image than her music. Her clothes have changed from black evening dresses to flashy halter tops and tight hotpants. In the photos for this album, she shows off in gaudier poses than ever. The songs are what's important and Carey's new tracks do not meet her fans' high expectations.
The "Glitter" album's first single, "Loverboy Remix," also on the original sound track for the film, is supposed to be an exciting up-tempo dance track. It reminds the listeners of Carey's former number one hit, "Dream Lover," but is rather weaker and unfocused. "Lead the Way," the second track, is a typical ballad, and also comes across as boring. Her remake of the song made famous by Robert Palmer, "Didn't Mean to Turn You on," is more recommendable, as is the second single "Never Too Far," a ballad produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Louise. Carey remains true to form with her squealing vibrato that croons then suddenly explodes. Carey's voice sounds more mature here, but none of these new songs are as impressive as her former hits like "I'll Be There" or "One Sweet Day."
Despite these songs' weaknesses, the first single "Lover Boy," introduced in early August in the United States, topped the charts within two weeks of its release.
The film seems like an autobiography of Carey herself, although she and the movie company strongly deny any such thing. "There are certain elements that are similar, but it's kind of the opposite scenario of what my life is," Carey said. "Glitter" tells the story of Billie Frank, a young woman with a great musical talent working as a waitress. Her white father deserted the family years before, and her black mother is addicted to drugs. Billie, motivated by the desire for revenge against her parents, gradually finds success and fortune as a singer.
Although Carey says that she is exhausted from doing too much, it seems like she is the major person driving herself on to do more and more. Now back on her feet again after the breakdown, Carey is determined to star in another film, titled "Wise Girls."
by Chun Su-jin
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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