REVIEW: Mariah Carey's "E=MC2" recaptures the magic of her best-selling 'Emancipation'

@SL_body_copy_ragged: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, "E=MC2," 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.

The first single, "Touch My Body," is a fun, flirty tease — a mood that's repeated on party jams like "I'll Be Lovin' U Long Time" and "I'm That Chick." The latter song includes the must-rewind line "[Don[']t] take this seriously, like Pac all eyes on me." Few artists could deliver a verse like that without eliciting a serious eye-roll, but Carey's tongue-in-cheek delivery makes her audience smile along with her.

While Carey (listed as the co-writer on all the tracks) delivers a batch of simmering Jeep-blasters that could all vie for summer jam of the year, she works her best magic on irresistible ballads, when she puts her multi-octave range on full blast like the Mariah of old. The heartbreak tune "I Stay In Love," could have been recorded in her early '90s heyday — except it's not as saccharine as some of her early work.

Another great song is "Love Story," which manages to remain a beautiful ballad despite questionable use of the words "Ay Bay Bay."

The CD's weak points come on the slower-paced "For The Record," an average song that sounds like filler, and "Bye Bye," a tribute to departed love ones that, while tender, doesn't match the power or sentiment of her classic ode to the deceased, the sugary tearjerker "One Sweet Day."

Like "The Emancipation of Mimi," "E=MC2" ends on a gospel-tinged note with "I Wish You Well" in which Carey attempts to make peace with a former nemesis. (Tommy Mottola, anyone?)

Of course, it's easy to be gracious when you're on top — and with albums like this, Carey will likely be in a gracious mood for some time to come.

— The Associated Press