Mariah Carey proves a ‘Body' in motion stays in motion By Buck C. Cooke

Mariah Carey is enjoying another ride atop the Billboard charts thanks to "Touch My Body," her latest single release that became her 18th No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart.

That's literally one for the record books. Clocking an 18th No. 1, Carey knocks Elvis Presley from his longtime position playing second fiddle to the Beatles' 20 No. 1 hits.

"Touch My Body" is the debut single from Carey's eleventh album, "E=MC2," which came out Tuesday and has the potential to generate more hits and knock the Beatles from their top spot in history. The single also brings Carey to 78 cumulative weeks at No. 1 on the chart. Presley holds the record for the most weeks at No. 1 with 80 weeks atop the charts.

Remixes for "Touch My Body" are forthcoming, and as of press time, the track had climbed to No. 7 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play Chart after only three weeks.

CAREY WAS OMNIPRESENT in the weeks leading up to the release date for "E=MC2," appearing on "Saturday Night Live" in March, the second "Idol Gives Back" event on "American Idol," on "Oprah" April 14, and then as a mentor on "Idol" April 15 and performing on the results show April 16.

Miss Mimi undoubtedly has one of the most precious voices in the music industry, so she should stick to material that best showcases her talent, while resisting the temptation to hit every note in her considerable octave range in every song, and foregoing her inclinations toward hip-hop. The image is incongruous with her talent and puts off some dedicated fans of her early work.

THE SECOND SINGLE from "E=MC2" is "Bye Bye," a mellow salute to lost loved ones. With "Touch My Body" making such a big splash, it's a risky move to follow up with a song about death and loss, but it's a beautiful track that recalls a sound more like past Carey hits "We Belong Together" or "Don't Forget About Us."

That bodes well for "E=MC2."

Carey dedicates the song to "people who just lost somebody/ Your best friend, your baby, your man or your lady" and reminds the listener that we never really lose the ones we love.

"Migrate" is a multi-layered hip-hop track that starts off with Carey's vocals lilting in her upper register before a bouncing midtempo beat kicks in. T-Pain is featured as a guest rapper.

"I'll Be Lovin' U Long Time" is a midtempo ballad with subdued synths under Carey's vocals. "I'm That Chick" is a funky ditty revolving around the chorus of "I'm that chick you like." Unfortunately, this track also comes across as watered down.

Carey is listed as a co-writer on every track.

"E=MC2" FOLLOWS 2005's "The Emancipation of Mimi," which sold over 10 million copies worldwide, earned three Grammy Awards, and generated two No. 1 singles during the 18 months it rode the charts.

Will Carey ride the success of "Mimi" and "Touch My Body" and be able to milk out two more No. 1 hits from "E=MC2" to beat or tie the Beatles' record atop the Billboard charts? Will she break their record?

Or will she follow down her once tarnished, "Glitter"-y path to monotonous music only to have her talent be forever eclipsed by her missteps after a stunning debut with an inconsistent career?

Here's hoping that the momentum of the first record-breaking single carries "E=MC2" and Carey to the top of our hearts once again and permanently.