Mariah Carey: Mariah Carey Album Review (1990)

 

Welcome back everyone, today we going to officially start the Mariah Carey album review cycle. Actually, I already started with her fourth album Merry Christmas and reviewed it first because it was the holiday season at the time. Now that the holiday season is long over, I want go through Mariah’s catalog to once again show everyone that there is so much more to Mariah than the overrated, overplayed Holiday tune that is one of my least favorite songs in general. Okay, enough of the chit-chat, let’s start off with Mariah’s high selling debut album.

Mariah Carey Album Review (1990)

1.       Vision Of Love: We are starting off with a very familiar song. It’s a flex on Mariah Carey’s vocal abilities. You can feel the emotion she has in her debut single. The content has a sense of perseverance. Having to go through alienation saying she had to do most of this on her own. But was able to overcome all of this to achieve her dream. The song feels fulfilling even if it’s her debut single. It’s perfect for an album opener, how fulfilling. (AMAZING)

2.       There's Got to Be a Way: This is an interesting one. This is one of her politically charged songs of the album. First verse shines the light on poverty, while the second touches up on racism, something that Mariah had to deal with growing up, and the bridge talked about war. This song does feel out of place in the album, given that majority of the album involved love situation. The song itself is still relevant today, because can’t we all just get along. Song itself is good for what it tried to accomplish, and that’s all (GOOD)

3.       I Don't Wanna Cry: Another familiar song on the album, and it’s a simple heartbreak ballad where Mariah wants to make this work but realizes being with him will cause her nothing but pain. This song is a prototypical 90s ballad. Mariah is taking advantage of her lower register and this one doesn’t have her signature whistle. This is a perfect example not needing this to show off to get the message across. Even the key change does this song more wonders than most. As is, it’s another good song that I don’t mind (GOOD)

4.       Someday: We got an upbeat song from the album. This one look the proper song to push for that younger audience oppose to the adult contemporary songs flooded on this album. This has me wondering, why is Mariah biting from Janet Jackson, especially on the bridge (even though vocally Mariah is far superior). This song is missing a gear for me and don’t know where. Not calling this bad, just of all the singles she released for the album, this one didn’t grip me. That’s all (DECENT)

5.       Vanishing: Is a piano ballad that gave Mariah Carey a production credit. It’s a simple piano ballad where the content is self-explanatory, how lover is slowly disappearing from the other's life. Mariah of course sounds good and stripped down. Don’t have any major issues with this one (GOOD)

6.       All In Your Mind: I surprisingly enjoy the chorus of this song which is where the content comes from her partner thinks she drifting away but that is delusional of him thinking that stating that is all in his mind. May not be a favorite amongst her fans but I think this is a gem, might have something to do with the minor groove. I like this too (AMAZING)

7.       Alone In Love: This song is the first one that’s kind of a bore. Maybe or in fact, the reason for this is that the chorus is really weak compared to the other. But to be frank this is not a bad song because Mariah sounds good, but this one definitely feels like an album cut where I understand why this wasn’t a single. Honestly wouldn’t complained if this would’ve been left off the album. Not a bad song, nowhere near a great one. Just saying (DECENT)

8.       You Need Me: This is one of the edgier songs on the album with that guitar opening and eventual solo. This give Mariah some grit that we haven’t seen on this album. This one feels like an experiment for me for Mariah to be edgy and I’m torn. Part of me want’s to say this is fine but part me want’s to say it’s a miss. Lyrics which conveys that she’s having an argument and it’s implied that he’s acting hastily to her demands. Maybe it’s the production not matching Mariah’s powerhouse vocals. As is, again it’s an experiment that I probably won’t revisit much. Just saying. (DECENT)

9.       Sent From Up Above: has some interesting things going on with the production. Sounds like it meshed sounds from 70 souls and Been Around the World. I wish the song was interesting. It’s an appreciate your lover and thank God that he sent you (oops foreshadowing). Another song that’s the definition of an album cut, not much else to say. Good production but I don’t have much to go after. Gotta move on (DECENT)

10.   Prisoner: So far, her up tempo song haven’t clicked and this one is interesting until I read the lyrics. These lyrics haven’t aged well for Mariah because if you don’t know she would later marry Tommy Mottola and she would allege that he would imprison her figuratively and literally. Mariah saying she would be a prisoner for your love that’s something to really think about. Even if the production is solid, I just can’t help think about the aftermath of this song, that’s all. (DECENT)

11.   Love Takes Time: Last song on the album, happens to be my favorite song on the album. Why does this work, it’s an important lesson in falling in love after heartache. Breakup is a difficult thing to deal with and you can’t just rush into another relationship cause love takes time. This was the last song recorded for this album and Add on to an amazing vocal performance, it was a gutsy decision that paid off. Amazing song, definitely fitting for an album closer. (AMAZING)


Final Thoughts: For a debut album, this was strong debut album. Mariah vocally was the biggest standout of this whole project. The only nitpik I have with this album is with the whistle register. There are times that is sound amazing and outstanding, but then again there are times that it is not needed. Ranking is a little tricky cause the second half of the album where some of the filler moments of the album, while the first half was very strong. With that a strong 7/10, a great start for Mariah Carey. Hopefully Emotions will follow suit.


Best Songs: Vision of Love, I Don’t Want to Cry, All in Your Mind, Love Takes Time

Worst Songs: Alone With You

7/10

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