Memoirs Of An Imperfect Angel
by Mariah Carey
  • Record Label: Island
  • Release Date: Sep 29, 2009
User Score
5.6

Mixed or average reviews- based on 392 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 195 out of 392
  2. Mixed: 75 out of 392
  3. Negative: 122 out of 392

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  1. vinidornellas
    May 29, 2023
    10
    Icônico e atemporal. Obsessed é um hino escutado até os dias de hoje. Mariah sempre talentosa.
  2. LestrangeLeo
    Nov 28, 2022
    10
    bjs skv ia sobwob. sosn. ns nos oo o n o n n Op o. oo. h o o o h h b hbbnbb
  3. HonestMuusic
    Nov 4, 2022
    2
    Memoirs is an example of an R&B Legend struggling to find relevance, itn an auto-tuned mess with just a few saving glimmers of hope, "H.A.T.E.U." alone is worth the purchase price but literally every other song is just dull or sounds like an attempt to be hip, quite possibly Mariah's worst album and thats including GLITTER!
  4. impedro
    Aug 24, 2022
    10
    Ótimo álbum, depois de "Charmbracelet" esse é o seu álbum mais subestimado. Nos serve momentos ótimos, composições lindas e maduras, sem falar na ótima produção e vocais de anjos. Merecia nota 100.
  5. someonewhocares
    Jul 2, 2022
    8
    Mariah only made this in barely under a year, and it delivers some of the best in her catalog. Memoirs is one of her best 00s albums to date, and remains one of my personal favourites. Although it did not prove to be as more defiant and as incredible as E=MC2, It certainly is brilliant in its own merit and in its own way. Most songs are brilliant, with some skips and cheap, dull remixes.
  6. gabrielcalado
    Jun 21, 2022
    9
    Esse é daqueles álbuns que demonstra o que a maturidade como cantora e compositora reafirma o seu local dentro do mercado fonográfico. É um álbum para se descobrir e deliciar da imersão na história que ela tem para contar. Tem singles bem consistentes e usa de algumas interludes para separar o que são as memórias desse anjo imperfeito. A sonoridade dele é bem atual para o ano e percebe-seEsse é daqueles álbuns que demonstra o que a maturidade como cantora e compositora reafirma o seu local dentro do mercado fonográfico. É um álbum para se descobrir e deliciar da imersão na história que ela tem para contar. Tem singles bem consistentes e usa de algumas interludes para separar o que são as memórias desse anjo imperfeito. A sonoridade dele é bem atual para o ano e percebe-se que ela usa toda sua habilidade como compositora para nos levar durante uma hora ao mundo que ela mesma criou com seu rico vocabulário. Em termos de composições, temos um forte candidato de estarmos ouvindo o mais bem colocado entre os produzidos por ela.… Expand
  7. Haandy
    Feb 12, 2022
    10
    Betcha Gon Know merecia um vídeo e performances, fora isso amo album e o shade pro ridículo do Eminem
  8. Specmoe
    Dec 26, 2020
    10
    I was like, "Why are you so obsessed with me?"
    So, oh, oh, oh, oh
    So, oh, oh, oh, oh
    So, oh, oh, oh, oh
    So, oh, oh, oh, oh
  9. ixaac
    Sep 14, 2019
    10
    The album was composed by R&B's best songwriters of the late 2000s, Terius Nash (The-Dream) and Christopher Stewart (Tricky); they give each song the intelligent mid-tempo bump-and-grind they've made into a specialty.
  10. dannycostello
    Feb 3, 2018
    10
    This album is absolutely amazing -- in my opinion, one of, if not absolutely, her best. It is absolutely jam-packed with unbelievable vocal work. When the album is finished, I feel like I've been given jewel after jewel of pure God inspiration. I love her rasp, too, when it comes -- you just hear how she is wrestling all of that beauty out of the hands of the Gods. Pure channeling!This album is absolutely amazing -- in my opinion, one of, if not absolutely, her best. It is absolutely jam-packed with unbelievable vocal work. When the album is finished, I feel like I've been given jewel after jewel of pure God inspiration. I love her rasp, too, when it comes -- you just hear how she is wrestling all of that beauty out of the hands of the Gods. Pure channeling! Perfection!… Expand
  11. WillJonesM
    Jul 21, 2016
    8
    It's so much peculiar. The productionc is amazing, sounds clean. There's a lot songs with potential to be a single. It's a R&B class of corse. Obsessesd is so good, H.a.t.e.u is so blue, up out of my face is so funny. I Really lije this one.
  12. joshtheface
    May 27, 2016
    10
    This was the most cohesive album she's ever created since Butterfly, its so well crafted yet still had singles that made the album stand out, this is a win for mariah
  13. italoverdade
    Nov 10, 2015
    10
    You can find a huge variety of power in the voice of Mariah with a cover that elevated the music to another level as abito diva, bad point the label no longer gave more due attention making late advertising campaigns besides not invest what was due .
  14. Beastprogamer
    Jun 26, 2015
    0
    Most overrated crap EVER!!!! Her songs are SO frigging annoying! The songs were complete garbage (most of them) and I just couldn't stand it. I also beat up MC in SSB3DS&Wii U (not in a looooooong time) but still, AVOID IT AT ALL COSTS!!!!!! Buy New Super Mario Bros. U instead.
  15. luccasportaman
    Oct 26, 2014
    8
    The album shows how mariah is that time of his career. An album of personal burden since "The Emancipation of Mimi", this album shows a more mature Mariah, though not contain a new sound, this album very personal, so I admire him.
  16. warrenworld
    May 4, 2014
    7
    It is certainly honest about being "imperfect", yet even with the imperfections you'll find on this unnecessary album, its raw talent remains unbreakable.
  17. Raffaello
    Nov 24, 2013
    10
    All 17 songs are beautifully crafted and smartly track listed starting with The Prologue with a good heavy beat and ending with a new short and charming version of I Want to Know What Love Is. Lyrics are a precise description of emotions, the vocals are sweet and strong accompanied with R&B/Hip-Hop/Soul beats. Memoirs succeeds as an empowering album for those with something to let go.All 17 songs are beautifully crafted and smartly track listed starting with The Prologue with a good heavy beat and ending with a new short and charming version of I Want to Know What Love Is. Lyrics are a precise description of emotions, the vocals are sweet and strong accompanied with R&B/Hip-Hop/Soul beats. Memoirs succeeds as an empowering album for those with something to let go. Easy, soft and beautiful. Favorite tracks: Obsessed, H.A.T.E. U, Candy Bling, Inseparable, Standing O, It's a Wrap, Up Out My Face, More Than Just Friends, Angels Cry and Languishing (and the reprises and interludes).… Expand
  18. arthur_mf
    Aug 1, 2012
    8
    It's impressive how Mariah has rised again into her music quality since the mess of Glitter and those, however this is a great R&B recording, proving she's not defeated and she can do great songs with great lyrics and amazing music.
  19. Binki
    Sep 21, 2011
    1
    She's the living proof that you can be an amazing singer and a terrible artist. Mariah's voice will never save this album for falling into cliche and dumbness.
  20. AndyBeaux
    Aug 21, 2011
    2
    Mariah continues to trow boring, repetitive, artifical and superficial beats & lyrics at 15 tracks. The album as 17. High notes don't save the lack of "life" that more than half of the songs have. The only , honestly, good song in the album is Obsessed.
  21. amir_manraj
    Jun 13, 2011
    8
    Wow! "Obsessed" seems like it is trying to pander too much to pop music standards, and "H.A.T.E.U." is kind of boring and doesn't have much of a beat. However, the rest of the album, especially "Up Out My Face" and "I Want to Know What Love Is", is solid. The former, with a remix featuring Nicki Minaj, is the best original track on the album. Her cover of "I Want to Know What Love Is" byWow! "Obsessed" seems like it is trying to pander too much to pop music standards, and "H.A.T.E.U." is kind of boring and doesn't have much of a beat. However, the rest of the album, especially "Up Out My Face" and "I Want to Know What Love Is", is solid. The former, with a remix featuring Nicki Minaj, is the best original track on the album. Her cover of "I Want to Know What Love Is" by Foreigner is absolutely perfect and the pain in her vocals match the sad lyrics immaculately. I would go so far as to say it's an improvement over the original.… Expand
  22. svetapiatakova
    Feb 13, 2011
    6
    This is a mature, solid album with a few surprises (her 'ode' to Eminem) and plenty of old school r and b... my favorite is It's a Wrap, so classic yet so inventive... Mariah is at the top of her game.
  23. Spyro
    Nov 21, 2010
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Quest'album è sicuramente uno dei miei preferiti di Mariah, forse il migliore dopo Butterfly. Ogni canzone è speciale e piacevole da ascoltare. Ad un primo ascolto l'album può apparire "noioso", ma dopo un po' ti prende e ti trasporta in un altro mondo. Sono davvero soddisfatto di quest'ultimo lavoro di Mariah.… Expand
  24. Turine
    Nov 6, 2010
    10
    Boring after a few listens, but gets better and better each time you listen to it.
    Notable songs are ''Angel's Cry'', ''Obsessed'', ''I Want to Know What Love Is'' and ''H.A.T.E.U.''.
    Angel (Prelude) is amazingly amazing.
  25. jace
    Sep 27, 2010
    10
    Love The Songs.. Love The Album.. Life Is not perfect..and so is love.. but still enjoying life end love right??? Go Mariah.. waiting for the next one....
  26. gagaforever
    Sep 21, 2010
    10
    WELL DONE MARIAH!!!! When I first heard "Obsessed" I couldn't wait for the album...I do admit that at first I didn't like it ..."Up Out My Face" was the one that grabbed my attentiona dn i listened over again...and BAM!!! I loved it
  27. musicboy89
    Aug 31, 2010
    8
    Mariah Carey's 12th studio album is perhaps her best effort since her 1997 release 'Butterfly', which is widely regarded as her best album to date. 'Memoirs' sees Carey, for the most part, blend her trade-mark 'hip-pop' with old school RnB vibes, more reminiscent of her earlier work. The opening track, 'Betcha Gon' Know' demonstrates this mindset. The piano driven track could almost playMariah Carey's 12th studio album is perhaps her best effort since her 1997 release 'Butterfly', which is widely regarded as her best album to date. 'Memoirs' sees Carey, for the most part, blend her trade-mark 'hip-pop' with old school RnB vibes, more reminiscent of her earlier work. The opening track, 'Betcha Gon' Know' demonstrates this mindset. The piano driven track could almost play out like an early 70s soul classic, telling the tale of a cheating love and planned revenge, were it not for the thumping beat and lyrics - "you gon' get what you f***ing j**k".
    Carey attempts to caters for all her fans with this release. There are the more urban and upbeat tracks like the lead single 'Obsessed' and the witty 'Up Out My Face', the big ballads 'Angel's Cry' and the cover of Forginger's 'I Want To Know What Love Is' alongside slow-jams like 'Candy Bling'. This variation makes 'Memoirs' a pleasant listen, with each song seemingly flowing into the next. However the sequencing does let the record down slightly as it clusters tracks together which can then overshadow. For example the slow-jam 'Inseparable' is one of the strongest tracks on the album, yet coming in after after the finger-clicking 'Candy Bling' and 'Ribbon' you can find yourself ready to skip to the next track just to break-up the mood.
    Mariah Carey is widely regarded as one of the greatest singers of all time, famed for her impressive 5 octave voice. on 'Memoirs' her voice is in full-use and to great effect. That is not to say that every line of each song is belted as was typical for many of Carey's earlier recordings. Here we see Carey use her powerhouse tool with great care and accuracy. On 'The Impossible' Carey almost whispers with soft and breathy tones that gives a feeling a great intimacy, that is until the tracks outro where she turns the vocal power up and reminds you that this is in fact a Mariah Carey cd. This happens on most tracks, Carey starts softly and leaves the vocal blasting until near the end. The famous high note is also in good health here and is used almost like another instrument on many of the tracks which makes it fade into the track rather than stand out - depending of your love of the whistle register this will either be a slight disappointment or a brilliant compromise.
    To rap-up 'Memoirs' is a really strong and solid effort from Mariah. Listening to the album from start to finish you gain an appreciation for the fact that this is a coherent album, not just a collection of radio ready tracks as is arguable becoming the norm with new artists. While the album will not do what Carey hoped - please all hardcore fans and casual listeners alike - it still demonstrates her versatility as a singer and songwriter and makes for a really enjoyable listen.    … Expand
  28. JaylaO
    Oct 18, 2009
    9
    Mariah's voice shines in this album very brightly. Slowly but surely, she's regaining the powerful voice she had in the 90s.
  29. ravdfabM
    Oct 18, 2009
    1
    1 for the effort. with her deteriorating vocals, i believe remixes is not the way to save the album. i tried listening to it about 5 times thinking i might like it after a couple of spins... okay, im done... and i'm bored.
  30. OmarF.
    Oct 15, 2009
    9
    Great music, but not too comercial for the young crowd. Nice sogs, and really good lyrics.
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Awards & Rankings

14
#14 Most Discussed Album of 2009
29
#29 Most Shared Album of 2009

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
70

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. AllMusic
    70
    The album was composed by R&B's best songwriters of the late 2000s, Terius Nash (The-Dream) and Christopher Stewart (Tricky); they give each song the intelligent mid-tempo bump-and-grind they've made into a specialty.
    Read full review
  2. Billboard.com
    71
    Overall, Carey's throwback vibe on Memoirs is refreshing and much welcomed.
    Read full review
  3. Entertainment Weekly
    75
    It's puzzling to hear one of music's most powerful voices continually corralled into a feathery R&B midrange; imperfections are nowhere to be found on Memoirs, but neither are many true revelations.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »