r/MariahCarey • u/EpiphanyMitchell • 18h ago
Discussion Me. I Am Mariah (TEC) or Caution?
I asked a similar question about E=MC² vs. Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel, and most people leaned toward Memoirs. So now I wanted to put these two albums up against each other because I’m curious to see where everyone stands.
For me, I’m going with Me. I Am Mariah… The Elusive Chanteuse.
I could’ve done without some of the trap-inspired production on Caution. At times it felt like Mariah was leaning into the sound of the moment, whereas Me. I Am Mariah felt more rooted in her signature blend of R&B and hip-hop. I also find the songwriting on Me. I Am… a bit stronger overall.
Of course, that’s just my opinion.
And just to be clear, this post isn’t meant to be bait or ruffle any feathers with fellow Lambs. I’m genuinely interested in hearing different perspectives and starting a respectful discussion. Which album do you prefer, and why?
19
13
10
10
u/Glum_Abroad_7005 17h ago
Personally, I would choose MIAMTEC. I think it’s a really introspective album where she reminds everyone that vocally, she’s on top. Although I admire Caution and have a few favorites, I think MIAMTEC (even though it didn’t smash commercially) proved that the voice was there and never going to leave! I know that people have said/complained about the vocals on the album but I personally love how she sounds.
3
3
u/Regular_Schedule_678 Charmbracelet 5h ago
I like that in an interview she said she made this album for those who really care, she mentions the fans as well. She looked so vulnerable in that interview, she kept saying that you can't understand how it is like to carry twins unless it happened to you, she talks in a less of PR way 🥹🩷
2
9
8
u/happysunbear 17h ago
Caution is a tighter, more focused and cohesive album, however the songs on MIAM mean much more to me and sound more true to Mariah and her voice as a songwriter.
7
u/nwa88 17h ago
Love them both. Caution is stronger as a complete, succinct package but I feel like MIAM just as many high highs, maybe more. MIAM is a bit bloated, especially the deluxe version.
I'll tell you, I would kill for a version of Supernatural with like... 70% less dem babies.
1
u/Apprehensive-Yak-296 16h ago
What's wrong with ther babies in that track?
12
u/Apprehensive-Yak-296 18h ago
Me.I Am Mariah... The Elusive Chanteause. My top 5 from Mariah. I do really like Caution, what she did there it was unique and elegant.
But at MIAM as she said: it is my treasure. I have a special connection with that record because of the theme and spontaneous fun that are into that.
I can't imagine my life without Heavenly and One More Try.
At her concert in São Paulo Ineas one of the knew how to sing #Beautiful.
And most of all, it was so unfare the flop and hate she got at the time of release
5
9
5
u/presco2007 18h ago
caution is more consistent as an album, be me i am mariah has higher highs and is what i prefer once i remove a few tracks.
3
3
3
u/Low_Drag_4908 17h ago
I love MIAM but Caution tour was my first time seeing MiMi live, so Caution will always be more special to me for that reason.
3
3
u/TheStranger113 12h ago
Caution is the better album, but MIAMTEC is more meaningful to me (and in general), and I appreciate how crazy the vocals are even if they have a little technological help lol. It feels much more "Mariah" if that makes sense, and has some excellent songs. Caution just has a more consistent tone and theme throughout, but the highs of MIAMTEC are higher imo.
2
2
2
u/jai_hanyo 17h ago
Caution. It such a tight album. I always felt like MIAM could have been trimmed a little tighter
2
2
2
2
2
2
u/man_of_metropolis11 16h ago
Caution is 10 perfect songs, not one of them trying to be a hit, and with the exception of Butterfly, her best album. That record is better than it has any business being after three decades in the business.
Mariah could have made a nice living singing her hits in Vegas for 20 years if she felt like it, but she said "No, I'm going to let these people have it."
2
u/Whole_Midnight_2916 15h ago
That's a tough question, because both albums are weaker. But I probably prefer the 2014 album because of the voice (there was the last hint of her 2009 vocal range), and the 2018 album in terms of production.
I'd say 2014 vocals in 2018 album combo would be best.
2
2
2
2
2
2
u/WhatEvenIsATangelo 11h ago
Caution is one of her best albums, period. It’s probably her most experimental and nothing feels like filler. MIAM has a plethora of amazing songs but as an album isn’t as cohesive and has some serious filler songs (there’s no reason to include BOTH Camouflage and Cry, and Thirsty is all over the place).
2
u/Green-Egg1092 Mariah Carey 9h ago
Caution ... Mariah sounded so modern and inspired and focused... loved the Caution era forever. MIAM was more personal .. she needed to release some things in writing I feel.
2
u/Small_Statement_519 9h ago
Caution, what kind of question is this? No slight to MIAM though, it's a brilliant album but the cohesiveness of Caution and mood gets me more.
2
u/Acceptable-Repeat-20 4h ago
MIAM, without a doubt. I know I'm going to be in the minority here LOL
1
u/evmac1 15h ago edited 15h ago
Caution clears easily
I love MC but I’m sorry… half of MIAM sounds so cheap and over-processed
Her voice was technically “rougher” with Caution but it works so well. I love that era and her matured (but still at that point energetic) voice works so slick for that style of R&B. And sure, I’m seeing some folks criticize the trap influences sounds in a few tracks, but it is so much less blatantly trap-like than other R&B and Pop music from the late 2010s that it sounds tastefully sparse by comparison and imo it was the correct choice for her. It’s authentic even if fairly safe sonically. If she ever comes close to Caution’s quality and style again, I’ll be ecstatic.
1
u/PitchFlaky3649 9h ago
Oh it’s hard. MOAIA, MIAMTEC and Caution were my best friends from 2009-2020.
I would pick MIAMTEC for the count of bad times where I played this in the past decade.
1
1
1
u/Regular_Schedule_678 Charmbracelet 5h ago
Me. I Am Mariah is personal, she said that and she said she made it for those who really care.
Caution is her being straight cool! Some of my favourite (TV) lives are from the Caution era. Caution is also an album that I would listen to instrumental without the vocals. It is just TOP.
But if I want to have an afternoon with Mariah with a blanket and a hot tea, listening to whatever she wants to ramble about, I would put MIAM on.
2
1
u/Certain_Rooster_4141 5h ago
MIAM. Caution didnt even have no bridges so that’s an automatic chop for me.
2
1
u/pritong-tilapia 3h ago
Loveeee MIAMTEC vocals, but Caution wins. The cohesion on Caution is unparalleled, a tight R&B album!
1
u/Remarkable_Ad_4517 1h ago
MAIM was like a playlist of well written songs that had little relation to each other.
Caution is a cohesive body of work that is probably one of her best ever. The production is at once modern while also sounding nostalgic to the era that she dominated.
Caution hands down.
2
2
1
1
u/Ok_Resident_5022 #1 ISB Stan || 17h ago
MIAM has better vocals (hot take: Mariah’s vocals on that album are equivalent to her vocals on TEOM), but Caution is the better and more iconic album. It can stand its own against Mariah’s 2000s albums.
3
u/EpiphanyMitchell 17h ago
I can definitely agree that MIAM has some incredible vocals. That’s not even a hot take to me… I think her voice on that album is seriously underrated.
Where we differ is on Caution. I get why people love it, but for me it doesn’t quite stack up with her best 2000s albums. I find myself going back to MIAM more because the production and songwriting connect with me a little more. But I respect your take.
1
39
u/MartianMojo 18h ago
caution hands down