The Emancipation Of Mimi
by Mariah Carey
  • Record Label: Island
  • Release Date: Apr 12, 2005
User Score
6.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 568 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 368 out of 568
  2. Mixed: 85 out of 568
  3. Negative: 115 out of 568

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  1. LouiseC
    Jan 14, 2006
    10
    Mariah rose out of the grave that her harshest critics and haters had so quickly dug up for her in 2001. They eulogized her too quickly but she never looked down. She looked up and asked for strength -- something she had all along. That strength was her talent and skill to tear the competition apart. 8 Grammy noms, and numerous World Music Awards, Vibe Awards and Radio Music Awards later, Mariah rose out of the grave that her harshest critics and haters had so quickly dug up for her in 2001. They eulogized her too quickly but she never looked down. She looked up and asked for strength -- something she had all along. That strength was her talent and skill to tear the competition apart. 8 Grammy noms, and numerous World Music Awards, Vibe Awards and Radio Music Awards later, she's still rippin' it. Hail the *real* Queen, haters!… Expand
  2. RyanC
    Jan 15, 2006
    10
    hot tamales
  3. giano
    Jan 15, 2006
    10
    It's definitely the best album of 2005!!! No question about it!!! Mariah's the best ever!!!
  4. Nene27Leo
    Jan 15, 2006
    10
    Mariah is often imitated,but never duplicated. Come on haters lets be realistic. Mariah is not only extremely talented, she is also original. Many newcomers inspire to be like Mariah. Just pust her outfits aside and acknowledge true creative talent.
  5. DannyM
    Jan 15, 2006
    10
    Mariahs returned to her roots and made her best album since her first emancipation, butterfly, definetely the best album released by a female artist this year, probably the best overall
  6. SiriK
    Jan 15, 2006
    10
    I just love her and all her albums!!
  7. KeanL
    Jan 15, 2006
    10
    Simply Irresistible!
  8. ramp.i
    Jan 15, 2006
    10
    great r&b album.. teom redefines the term R&b. great job mariah.
  9. DavidA
    Jan 17, 2006
    10
    This is one of the best albums she released. All of the songs will grow on you on repeated listenings. Standouts are of course We Belong Together, One and Only, Joy Ride, So Lonely and Say Something!
  10. JayM
    Dec 25, 2006
    8
    Mariah indeed emancipated "Mimi" and we want to see more of her. A blend of soulful ballads such as "Mine Again" and "Stay the Night" into the biggest hit of the 2000's "We Belong Together" staying #1 for 14 weeks in the US, she shows that "The Voice" ain't goin' nowhere and that Mimi stands a great shot at tearing into the Beatles record of 20 #1 singles. "Don't Mariah indeed emancipated "Mimi" and we want to see more of her. A blend of soulful ballads such as "Mine Again" and "Stay the Night" into the biggest hit of the 2000's "We Belong Together" staying #1 for 14 weeks in the US, she shows that "The Voice" ain't goin' nowhere and that Mimi stands a great shot at tearing into the Beatles record of 20 #1 singles. "Don't Forget about Us" tied her with Elvis for 17 #1 singles, and "Emancipation" was the best selling album of 2005, she also hits with hip-hop dancing music such as "Get Your Number" and "Say Somethin'" with other artists among the likes of Jermaine Dupri, and Snoop Dogg. Finiishing with her arguable best song of all time "Fly Like a Bird" and as the song says hopefully "Carry me higher" and this album carried Mariah higher than ever… Expand
  11. CheyM
    Oct 23, 2006
    10
    It was a really inspiring CD and all of the songs inspired me to do more things with my life
  12. mimio
    Jan 24, 2006
    9
    this is a good album. Mariah has a great voice. I think she could do a lot of different styles of music. now she does r&b, she does it very well. I love her. She and whitney are the best. I would love to hear jazz from her or another strong voice song so that i could give her a 10. But she is the best, i love the songs of mine again and circles and may many more... I hope that they stop this is a good album. Mariah has a great voice. I think she could do a lot of different styles of music. now she does r&b, she does it very well. I love her. She and whitney are the best. I would love to hear jazz from her or another strong voice song so that i could give her a 10. But she is the best, i love the songs of mine again and circles and may many more... I hope that they stop some day about the way she is dressed. She is beautiful, and she has a beautiful voice no one can take that away from her, god has given her that beautiful voice.… Expand
  13. JoeA
    Jan 5, 2006
    0
    Calling it trash would be an insult to trash.
  14. allenw
    Feb 11, 2006
    1
    sucks
  15. MatthewA
    Feb 16, 2006
    10
    this cd is the best cd ever. no one can beat this cd it is still in the top 10 after about 45 weeks and that is a very long time. this cd has helped me grow inside because the song we belong together. that song helped me to grow and not to cry anymore because my baby and i broke up and i didnt no what to do but this song helped me and so did many other songs but this song is always going this cd is the best cd ever. no one can beat this cd it is still in the top 10 after about 45 weeks and that is a very long time. this cd has helped me grow inside because the song we belong together. that song helped me to grow and not to cry anymore because my baby and i broke up and i didnt no what to do but this song helped me and so did many other songs but this song is always going to be my number one song and this song helped me not to do anything stupid and just let out everything in tears. Thank you for this cd.… Expand
  16. drewB
    Mar 8, 2006
    0
    just when i thought music couldn't get any worse, she proves me wrong
  17. peterp
    Apr 27, 2006
    7
    The individual songs are great. Incredible voice control and excellent singing. Mariah has great potential, only... EVERY SINGLE SONG SOUNDS THE SAME WAY! Because basically every song is about chasing a guy, you get the feeling that you're hearing the same song, with a slightly different beat. Also, has anyone else noticed that ever since Mimi hit that high note while singing the The individual songs are great. Incredible voice control and excellent singing. Mariah has great potential, only... EVERY SINGLE SONG SOUNDS THE SAME WAY! Because basically every song is about chasing a guy, you get the feeling that you're hearing the same song, with a slightly different beat. Also, has anyone else noticed that ever since Mimi hit that high note while singing the national anthem, she used it at the end of every song.… Expand
  18. AlbertoF
    Jun 17, 2006
    10
    I love this cd
  19. Balb
    Aug 14, 2006
    4
    4 votes for the number of nice songs on it, meaning only 4 songs worth listening
  20. martinJ
    Feb 16, 2007
    0
    pathetic music. Mairah can't sing. never release an album again
  21. JamesL
    Mar 11, 2007
    5
    Im giving this album a 5 in the hope that Mariah Carey's next album brings something different to the table. I thought this album had some nice, solid songs on it such as We Belong Together, Fly Like A Bird, and Don't Forget About Us... but the album as a whole failed to blow me away. Buy her debut, Emotions, Music Box, Daydream, or Butterfly, No.1's instead, they are her Im giving this album a 5 in the hope that Mariah Carey's next album brings something different to the table. I thought this album had some nice, solid songs on it such as We Belong Together, Fly Like A Bird, and Don't Forget About Us... but the album as a whole failed to blow me away. Buy her debut, Emotions, Music Box, Daydream, or Butterfly, No.1's instead, they are her only artistically creative albums.… Expand
  22. GonçaloS.
    Apr 13, 2009
    10
    I love Emancipation of Mimi, it has everything that I love in a singer: passion, power, vocals and good lyrics. Mariah's best album.
  23. MichaelK.
    Jul 19, 2009
    9
    One of carey's most brilliant works ever and definitely one of the best recordings on its genre of the 2000's. A very respectable one by an artist that returns to walk fast to the state of legend. This album is really the comeback and has influenced so many artist already.
  24. MarkM
    Nov 14, 2005
    2
    boring! not the come back she was promising!
  25. AllanSe7ens
    Nov 4, 2005
    9
    THE EMANCIPATION OF MIMI out shined her previous efforts (Glitter, Charmbracelet and Rainbow). This album puts her back to the top. Standard tracks We Belong Together, Your Girl, Fly Like A Bird, Say Something and Stay The Night.
  26. AK.
    Dec 11, 2005
    4
    Listen to "Illinois" by Sufjan Stevens. He got NO Grammy nominations, yet he has the highest rated CD OF THE YEAR, not only by critics, but listeners as well. The reason Mariah Carey is even being nominated for Grammies for this record is because she's MARIAH CAREY. ooooooo. And even with the benefit she gets from previous success, this cd still only got a 61% on average. This CD Listen to "Illinois" by Sufjan Stevens. He got NO Grammy nominations, yet he has the highest rated CD OF THE YEAR, not only by critics, but listeners as well. The reason Mariah Carey is even being nominated for Grammies for this record is because she's MARIAH CAREY. ooooooo. And even with the benefit she gets from previous success, this cd still only got a 61% on average. This CD showed no evolution musically from her other records. Maybe the lyrics had a little more meaning behind them, but without anything catchy or interesting, what's the point of listening? She doesn't deserve Grammy nominations for something as subpar as this.… Expand
  27. LoriU
    Dec 25, 2005
    10
    First of all, we are experiencing history as we know it every day. Mariah is a true artist who geniunely knows how to write great ballads but not only that hip hop, r&b, whatever. Mariah said it herself that she's always wanted to do hip hop because she grew up with it and loves it. You know what, this album totally proves that she can raise the bar for so many artists out there. You First of all, we are experiencing history as we know it every day. Mariah is a true artist who geniunely knows how to write great ballads but not only that hip hop, r&b, whatever. Mariah said it herself that she's always wanted to do hip hop because she grew up with it and loves it. You know what, this album totally proves that she can raise the bar for so many artists out there. You people who diss her, why??? Do you realize how many artists want to be her or want to copy her formula? She's already a legend and will continue to rise like a phoneix year after year.… Expand
  28. LucasN
    Apr 12, 2005
    8
    a pleasant return to form
  29. nikkir
    Apr 12, 2005
    10
    People are complaining that she suffers from anonimity on this record. Her voice is all over the place. Although it is not in top shape like it has been in the past, her voice has improved since her last effort. I give her props for defying what fans were expecting and giving us something we can be proud off.
  30. moes
    Apr 13, 2005
    10
    this album is super cool
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Awards & Rankings

10
#10 Most Discussed Album of 2005
10
#10 Most Shared Album of 2005

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
64

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 16
  3. Negative: 1 out of 16
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    75
    Heavy on ballads and midtempo love songs, it always keeps at least one foot (more often both feet) planted firmly in comforting old-school diva soul. [15 Apr 2005, p.76]
  2. Rolling Stone
    50
    There aren't any great songs among Mimi's club tunes and pop-chart-conscious tracks, and Carey is still suffering from a serious crisis of confidence.
    Read full review
  3. The Guardian
    80
    Despite its grim title with its visions of messy self-absorption, The Emancipation of Mimi is - mostly - cool, focused and urban.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »