Mariah Carey: Glitter Album Review (2001)

In September 2001, Glitter was released. But so many things were messy before this movie even began. One big positive, Mariah is finally free from Columbia and the control of Tommy Mottola. She signed a massive contract with Virgin Records. But then things went south. For one, there was questions about her mental health after she showed up to TRL uninvited, giving out ice cream promoting Glitter and stripping down to a more revealing outfit. Shortly after, Mariah was hospitalized due to exhaustion and was placed under hospital care for two weeks. The movie and soundtrack were pushed back as a result. The movie was released shortly after the 9/11 attack. The movie/soundtrack was a critical and commercial bomb because no one really wanted to do fun things after that (ask Willa Ford). Mariah became a Razzie award winning actress shortly after. Years later, the soundtrack and movie got a second life when the #JusticeforGlitter campaign was trending as fans realized that that era was misunderstood. Was it misunderstood or was it justified, stay tuned to find out.

Glitter Album Review (2001)

1.       Loverboy (Remix): So, there are two Loverboy songs on this soundtrack with the remix being the leadoff track. I already mentioned on one video that this song is pretty bad but I only talked about the standard version, I could talk about the remix which features Ludacris, Da Brat, Shawna & Twenty II, the latter I never heard of. They don’t add nor takeaway from the song. Luda’s verse while trying to keep it in the theme of Glitter feels like it could be featured in any Ludacris song as he and Shawnna  don’t have any chemistry as they try to interplay with each other. Meanwile Twenty II is trying to interplay with Da Brat and she completely washes him, even with cringe butterfinger lines. But with or without the rap verses, this song is still bad (BAD)

2.       Lead The Way: This is a ballad that saw the return of Walter Afanasieff as writer and producer. But there isn’t much as the content is self-explanatory and with this being a piano ballad and Mariah sounding superior on the vocals, in this album take the good where you can get them (GOOD).

3.       If We: This song is basically a Ja Rule song with Nate Dogg & Mariah as featured guest. Since this was a soundtrack this won’t be the last song that would have this instance. And this song is a mess. Ja Rule sounds like crap and Nate Dogg verse sounds like he recorded this from a different planet. By the time the song ends you’ll forget that he was even on the song. But I feel like this feels like an Ashanti & Ja Rule song more than a Mariah song. You could’ve given her a verse. But this song just aint it, I had a negative reaction on first listen. Skip it (BAD)

4.       Didn't Mean To Turn You On: This is a cover song originally a cover by Cherrelle, a song that Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis produced. Since they where the main producers on this soundtrack, they did very little alterations. Hate to say this but Mariah does outshine Cherrelle’s version only because Mariah is the obvious better vocalist. The bounciness is here and both versions are fun. I can call this a win (AMAZING)

5.       Don't Stop (Funkin' 4 Jamaica): Here’s the second instance where Mariah is the featured artist on her own soundtrack. This one features the disgraced rapper Mystikal and it barely features Mariah but this is odd combination to the point where Mystikal takes over the whole song. But there is one saving grace and that’s Mariah ending riff, the same one that she used in the movie. This will be one where I’ll understand if you skip, because you want more Mariah. But at the same time if you into Mystikal’s cadence go head. Just proceed with caution (DECENT)

6.       All My Life: This was one of the main songs featured in the movie.  The content of this song is about Mariah is happy that she waited for the right one to come. But the only problem her is me problem. I can’t take this song serious thanks to the Sylk version of the song as her version sounds like a dying animal. Without that, Mariah don’t do much wrong here. It’s fine. (GOOD)

7.       Reflections (Care Enough): I feel like I need to talk about this song in context of the movie. Billie only had her mother growing up as she struggle to pay bills. After losing her job, the home that they were living in got caught on fire and that’s when her mother sent Billie away to a group home. This was the inner thoughts Billie was having. She wondered did her mother care for her at all when she gave her up. Said she could’ve gave her up before her birth one way or another. The song itself, might be one of Mariah personal cuts even though it’s about a fictional character. If there’s anything to go back to it be this. (AMAZING)

8.       Last Night A DJ Saved My Life: Another collab where Mariah is more of a featured artist. But at least Mariah actually had a verse. But there’s so much going on here. Fabolous opens the song and he sound like Mase, complement because he’s able to flow with the production. But there are problems here. 1) The chemistry with Busta Rhymes is wonky at times Busta Rhymes (might as well throw DJ Clue in this convo) sounds louder than Mariah. 2) The song is nearly seven minutes long. They could’ve chopped off one of Busta’s adlib verse. Not bad a song, production and groove is nice with the bass being done by Randy Jackson, the guy that like to say dawg after every sentence. But chop off a verse, balance the vocal mixing this could’ve been better. (DECENT)

9.       Want You: Featuring Eric Benet and this one is a mess and it shouldn’t be. This song was featured in the film where Billie wanted to work with someone outside of Dice and this what they came up with. She chose to work with Rafael played by Eric Benet. And this was the song they came up with. Content: Mariah is having a crush on Eric (who wouldn’t) but is afraid to open up to him. He comes and wondering why she haven’t said anything. But I think the biggest problem might be the production. I don’t event the quiet storm would want this production. It just leave me feeling uneasy, one where I won’t revisit (DECENT)

10.   Never Too Far: What should’ve been the closing track of this album as this was the closing song for the movie. Back in context with the movie, her and Dice work on the song unknowingly separately. But when as they were trying to reunite Dice dies thanks to Timmy. During her performance Billie cuts off Loverboy and tells her fans that if you love someone, never take them for granted. The song was dedicated to Dice and today for anyone who has lost someone close. Good song if not great. (AMAZING)

11.   Twister: I feel like this song was played throughout the movie. However this song doesn’t have anything to with the movie but instead this song was in dedicated to her stylist who took her own life the year before. The song serves as a bit of eulogy for said stylist but Mariah knows that the only way she could say goodbye is through song. It’s a personal cut that would’ve fit on any other album but Mariah knew the importances that this song needed to be on this album. Don’t have any major issues with this song. (AMAZING)

12.   Loverboy (BAD)

Final Thoughts: I came into this album wanting to crap on it mostly because of Loverboy being a dud, but turned out (after second listen) this was better than anticipated. Sure there are duds but I think the heartfelt ballads do just enough to save the project. I end up with a 6/10 ranking, which means it’s her weakest one to date but it could’ve been worse, yes I am being a little nice towards this. Next is Charmbraclet, which is known for being the forgotten album