Here are some customer reviews of
Mariah Carey
: What a glorious woman, what a glorious album! Every song is sung with clear as crystal perfection, and her voice brings classiness and style to every tune, whether it's the uplifting gospel of Vison of Love, socially consious There's got to be a way, love lorn Alone in Love, heartbroken Love takes time, confidantly strong Someday and You need me, and many others. I get chills every time I listen to this album and all her others. She's a beautiful person inside and out. Long live Mariah! We love You!
Mariah Carey first burst onto the music scene in 1990 with her debut single Vision Of Love. It went straight to No.1 in the US and was the first of 15 of the course of the following 10 years. Mariah's self-titled debut album was released shortly after the single and went straight to No.1 in the US, shifting an excellent 16 million copies worldwide. The album may be more than a decade old and Mariah has released some amazing albums since, but it still stands as one of her greatest and most praised records to date.
Mariah Carey begins with Vision Of Love (10/10). A UK No.9 and US No.1, it still stands as one of Mariah's greatest ballads to date. The beats are epic and dramatic on the song and Mariah really gets to showcase her truly extraordinary vocal range - something that was essential if she was to catch the attention of the world. There's Got To Be A Way (10/10) is a superb song with some brilliant beats and lyrics. The song starts off slow, but picks up and became a great up-tempo song before the first minute is through. The song is about how there has to be a way to change the world for the better - a very positive song with a strong message. I Don't Wanna Cry (10/10) is a fantastic ballad that also earned Mariah another US No.1. The lyrics are perfectly written and Mariah's voice fits the song perfectly - the emotion and heartache can easily be sensed in her voice. Someday (10/10) was another single from this album, and also became another US No.1 for Mariah. The song is very up-tempo and showcases Mariah's great vocal ability to the max. The song is about how a man left Mariah and she's OK, but he shouldn't expect to be taken back when he comes crawling back to her. Vanishing (8/10) is up next and is a song that a lot of people seem to give praise to. This song doesn't do much for me because Mariah's voice is just too full on. I actually find myself covering my ears on some of those notes that Mariah hits, which is something I wouldn't normally do! All In Your Mind (10/10) is a fabulous up-tempo pop song with a hint of R'n'B. Mariah's vocals are exceptional on this song, especially the bit towards the end where she's practically chirping like a bird!
Alone In Love (10/10) is a really nice and chilled mid-tempo ballad. Mariah's voice on this song is not the strongest it could've been, but that doesn't matter when you have a cool beat like this and a sparkly bassline. Her voice does gradually pick up as the song goes on, but not exactly as good as her voice is on songs such as Vision Of Love, Without You or Hero. You Need Me (10/10) starts off with a hardcore rock bassline, before breaking out into a wicked and up-tempo R'n'B pop number. Mariah's voice has a great echo to it in the choruses and the bassline is deep and futuristic. Sent From Up Above (10/10) is another relaxing mid-tempo song with whispery vocals from Mariah at the very beginning of the song. Mariah's vocals gradually get better and the chorus has an amazing beat to it, similar to that of Can't Let Go from Mariah's second album Emotions. Prisoner (10/10) is an excellent up-tempo pop song that follows in the same vein of Someday. The song is about how Mariah is breaking free from a relationship with her ex-lover, and she won't go back to him no matter how much he tries to make her. Mariah's vocals are superb and the rap that she does at the beginning and end of the song suits her voice very well. Love Takes Time (10/10) is the final song from Mariah's self-titled debut album and a good one to close it. The song became another US No.1 single for Mariah and peaked at a dismal No.37 in the UK in November 1990. Mariah's voice is amazing on this final track and makes you realise why this woman is the greatest female vocalist in history.
OVERALL GRADE: 9/10
Mariah Carey's self-titled debut album is absolutely amazing and I recommend anyone who is a fan of music by the likes of Whitney Houston, Celine Dion and others to buy this now. The album has quite a lot of up-tempo songs, which is also an added bonus as many of Mariah's albums such as Music Box and Daydream have far too many slow songs. The album also has the lyrics inside the sleeve of the album, which is another added bonus for all those fans who wish to warble along to Mariah!
I don't like Mariah Carey (I used to), but everytime I listen to this album, I almost start to like her again. Great songs, her high notes were the bomb...just a splendid piece of work. My favorites, "All In Your Mind" (the notes are INCREDIBLE), and "Love Takes Time". The whole CD rocks. In my opinion, she will never have another album that tops this. It's just that good.
 This is an album that soo many people have dubbed as "Mariah's Best", and have even gone as far as saying that it's the only album of her's worth having.That's just ridiculous,and while there is some worthy material on here, most of the record drowns in too-slick,uninspired,over-produced pop, clearly a place where Mariah isn't comfterable at. Her singing technique hasn't yet been perfected, and if this were the only Mariah album you had ever heard, you'd have no idea of the lyrics she was capable of writing. Having said that, with one listen, just as obvious as all that other stuff will be, so will her incredible,God-sent voice,and raw talent(I mean this girl wrote this material at 19!) So, what is the material to look out for?Obviously, her first ever single (and major hit)"Vision of Love".A brilliant song with a 50's doo-wop inspired feel."Someday", a "legendary" Mariah up-tempo with attitide and spunk."Vanishing" is one that deserves to be known around the world.Very simple, nothing over the top,just Mariah and piano.Mariah's voice simply blows you away on this track.The last track which I believe is worth a mention is her hit," Love Takes Time", a wholesome ballad.
The rest? Well, "There's Got To Be a Way" is a decent up-tempo."I Don't Wanna Cry" is a passable ballad, but one which does not strike an emotional chord with me, which is a miracle considering it's one Mariah's ballads."All in Your Mind", and "Sent From Up Above" are forgetable dance songs with no edge in them whatsoever."You Need Me" is the worst, most ridiculous song on the album.I mean, what the heck is up with the electric guitar opening.It just does not suit Mariah one bit. Prisoner is an ok mid-tempo.The part where Mariah raps cracks me up.Finally "Alone in Love", is another ballad,which doesn't really do anything for me. Well, you have it,a review from an honest,un-biased Mariah fan.You can't blame the girl, I mean this is her debut, and it was obviously just thrown together with the singles being the primary focus.This album isn't absolutely gawd-awful,it's just very forgettable in a world where albums like these come along every other day.But her's is a voice that doesn't.
From the sweet ballad of Love Takes Time to the hard edge of You Need Me, Mariah Carey satisfies everybodies musical needs. She tops off the album by doing a rap solo on Prisoner. How much better can one album get. It is by far one of her best works.
|
