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EMC2: Music Review

Movie EMC2 (Music Review) Music Mariah Carey

As April brings new music from two of pop's biggest divas — Madonna and Mariah Carey — we'll hear once again about the Material Girl's art of reinventing herself to remain musically relevant over the decades. Overlooked is Carey's equally deft gift — not for reinvention, but of evolution. Once considered an expert vocal technician with a knack for creating power pop without much soul, Carey has grown into a performer who, while not necessarily creating high art, crafts music that moves people, whether it's to dance, to love, or even to cry. Carey perfected that gift on her last CD, 2005's top seller The Emancipation of Mimi, which marked a stunning comeback for the veteran singer. On her new disc, EMC2, the formula is not quite as potent as her last creation. But it's nearly as good, and equally as enjoyable. In some many ways, it can be compared to the rare film sequel that's equal to its predecessor: While based heavily on the original, it still has qualities that make it good enough to stand on its own. E-MC2 kicks off with the slow-burn jam Migrate, which like just about every other song on urban radio, features a verse from vocally enhanced singer-songwriter T-Pain. But unlike many of T-Pain's collaborations, he doesn't make the song, he just adds to it — the track belongs to Carey.