Mariah Carey: Music Box Album Review (1993)

 

Welcome back everyone, today we are going to continue with Mariah Carey’s album cycle with her third album Music Box. This is another album where the leadup is sparse. Just know that this is the first album where Mariah made the effort to push for the urban audience.

Mariah Carey: Music Box Album Review (1993)

1.       Dreamlover: This is the most recognizable song on this project. Like I said it was a shift for her musically as it uses the Emotions “Blind Alley” sample which would later be used on the Big Daddy Kane “Aint No Half-Steppin”. It’s Mariah looking for her future lover or Dreamlover.  She wants an uplifting man, an understanding man, someone to hold but no pretenders. As the song itself, the song a classic and I shouldn’t be the only one that tell you that.  (AMAZING)

2.       Hero: Another recognizable song, it’s a song that is a singing competition staple. I think we all know the content of this song. Vocally, Mariah is amazing per usual and it’s an easy song to like, even if it plays into the formula of her first two albums. Nothing else to add or takeaway, it’s an inspiring power ballad with minimal issues (GOOD)

3.       Anytime You Need A Friend: In this song, Mariah let’s everyone know anytime you feel alone, desperate or any other non-positive emotion, she will be there. I will say my biggest nitpik might come from the Mariah Carey chorus, I feel like they carry the song. Mariah doesn’t do that much vocally and the song doesn’t have that huge climax that we are known for. All in all, the song is still good, does wish there was a little more but it does the job nonetheless. (GOOD)  

4.       Music Box: Title track here, and this one sounds like a lullaby. Shouldn’t be surprised that this sounds like something that comes out of a music box. I wish the song does more. It’s a ballad where all she needs is her and her partner. This song is mostly here on a vocal flex than anything. She does well but it doesn’t move the wheel that much to elevate it. Not a bad song, feels like a Mariah favorite. Take it or leave it (DECENT)

5.       Now That I Know: I wish these dance club 90 boom songs would work for me. It’s a song that she now knows that her partner is in love with her. I might be the dummy or I could be the overthinker but could this be a response song to Whitney Houston’s “How Will I Know”. Man the 90s dance production is not just not my thing. If it is good for you, but I’ll probably not revisit this. (DECENT)

6.       Never Forget You: This song is a Babyface songwriting and production and it sounds like it. Don’t really have much to add or takeaway it’s a stock standard Babyface tune with a self-explanatory content. Let’s move on (DECENT)

7.       Without You: Prior to listening to this, I didn’t know that this song was a cover. It was originally sung by band name Badfinger. It was later covered by Harry Nilsson who made this a #1 hit and that’s the version Mariah is covering. I adore Mariah’s lower register in the chorus, hell the vocal performance on the entire song was borderline flawless. I don’t like talking about the content when the song is a cover, but rather judge if the cover does the song justice. It does if not overtake both versions. This is an amazing cover worth all the listens.   (AMAZING)

8.       Just To Hold You Once Again: This is a heartbreak song where Mariah is longer for her partner to return even though the relationship is over. It’s the bridge that won me over because Mariah thought she was a problem, even though she never factored in the circumstance of this relationship that isn’t in context. This is another amazing ballad, go back and listen to it. (AMAZING)

9.       I've Been Thinking About You: We have another uptempo song and so far, the up-tempo songs have not been my thing with Mariah. I will say this it’s better than Now That I Know thanks to the production. Mariah is trying to make the move and that move is breaking the friend zone into something serious. I vulnerable Mariah but in a different take. Not all vulnerable songs have to be slow songs and I think this is the best example of this. All in all, most I liked an up-tempo Mariah song I shows that transition from adult contemporary to mainstream popstar. I can endorse this (GOOD)

10.   All I've Ever Wanted: is a self-explanatory song. The production plays into the same formula from Love Takes Time with the percussion coming in the second verse with the bridge. I feel like this song is more filler than anything. Mariah has done something like this already. It’s not bad, Mariah sounds great but it’s very standard not the way to end an album. (DECENT)

11.   Everything Fades Away (BONUS): We got a bonus song on the album. Might’ve well talk about it. The song is about this man trying to rekindle the relationship and he tries to apologies, however she’s not into it. She’s willing to let it all fade away. The song features one of her background singers Will Downing and he pulls this Johnny Gill impersonation and it does weigh down the song a bit. The chorus might be the biggest saving grace here but as is, I just understand why this song was more of a bonus track than a proper album song, just saying. (DECENT)

Final Thoughts: I do see some musical progress but at the same time it an album that I wanted to like more than I should. Sure the singles are the standouts for me but the from tracks 4-6 were the downers on this album. It’s another 7/10 album, the stand out stands out while the others just play to the standards, but I will give her props on trying something different here.  For our next review, we’ll look at her fourth album Merry Christmas, but the jokes on you because I’ve already reviewed that album and you can check it out after this. SO, the real next review is Daydream (I honestly can’t wait for this one).

Best Songs: Dreamlover, Without You, Just To Hold You Once Again

Worst Song: All I’ve Ever Wanted