Boy Is Mine

Monica | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 14, 1998)
• Original Release Date: July 14, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Arista
• ASIN: B000008UUH
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (360 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #30,128 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Brandy may have scored the first hit with the infectious catfight "The Boy Is Mine," but make no mistake: Monica owns that song. In the battle of the cute teenage soul songbirds, Monica Arnold wins hands down because she can sing her ass off and because she has better songs. Monica's corner includes the vastly underrated producer Dallas Austin, who kicks in with edgy, moody cuts like "Street Symphony," a cautionary tale set to an orchestral groove, and "Ring da Bell," which plain-out flows. Unfortunately, this being the big-bucks world of '90s R&B, Monica is also saddled with de rigueur Diane Warren-David Foster exercises in ersatz soul and overwrought hokum. Why anyone would want to remake Richard Marx's "Right Here Waiting" is a mystery, but let's just say that Monica also has the smarts to cover Dorothy Moore's classic remake of the adult ballad "Misty Blue," thereby evening the score a bit. It's a tribute to Monica's voice, a womanly alto of real shading and substance, that she can transform schlock into something that comes close to emotion. All of which makes The Boy Is Mine easy on the ears and secures Monica's further ascension. --Amy Linden

Product Description

24bit K2 digitally remastered Japanese limited edition special issue of the album classic. Includes the bonus tracks "First Nite" (So So Def Mix) and Razor N.Mix. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars MONICA NEVER DISAPOINTS, February 12, 2006

By 

D. Davis "Monica lova" (Newark, NJ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Boy Is Mine (Audio CD)

After having an incredible debut album, Monica has managed to deliver an incredible follow-up. The album shows a difference in style which also adds to its appeal. her voice has grown This album earns Monica a seat in "R&B's" greatests. Highlights include "Street Symphony", "The Boy Is Mine", "The First Night", "Angel Of Mine", "Take Him Back", "Gone Be Fine", "For You I Will", and "I'll keep it to myself. I can guarantee that this album will remain in your stereo.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Top of Her Game!, February 24, 2006

By 

Josephll "Reformed Music Addict" (CET) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Boy Is Mine (Audio CD)

Monica just like Brandy had just one album behind her when she released her second album that feautures the smash hit "The Boy is Mine" and that is also the name of this album. In My oppinion the two albums have more in common then they are diffrent, so obviously I disagree with the editional reviewer that sais that Monica got better songs on her album and that she owned "The Boy is Mine" which I don' think either. Both singers were just kids when they debuted, Monica's "Miss Thang" was released in 1995, she was only 15 at the time!, Brandy's debut came one year prior but she was born in 1979, also 15 at the time. Both debuts were good, but unpolished and lacked top hits, Both second albums were mature and well produced full of memorable hits. Apart from the hit single and duet "The Boy is Mine", both had Diane Warren ballads and Monica even had Dallas Austin and Jermaine Dupri penned songs, while the majority of Brandy's songs were written by the top-writers Daniels/Jenkins/Jerkins, Not bad!. Both albums feautured covers. Brandy had "Everything I Do" and Monica had "Right Here Waiting". Both albums also song well, and apart from their duet hit single, both scored other hits on their own and both reached new heighs with their respective second albums. So, Basically they were quite alike. I think however that Monica's album has got less ballads then Brandy's if we're gonna find some diffrent trend.

"The Boy Is Mine" starts with Dallas Austin's "Street Symphony" which resembles Cat Stevens "Wild World" on the verse In My Oppinion, it's a great midtempo nonetheless. Song 2 the title track, needs no further presentation, it was a smash hit and probably the most memorable song of most singers careers. "Ring Da Bell" is another R&B midtempo, not among the best. "The First Night" was a hit too, a fresh uptempo song with catchy hook. "Misty Blue" is a oldie that she covers perfectly, very plesant. "Angel Of Mine" is Monica's best ballad of the album, it was also a hit and not surprising at all. "Gonna Be Fine" feautures Outkast, it's a midtempo R&B number that adds weight to the album's diversity, actually a better co-laboration then Brandy did with Mase.

"Inside" follows the trend of great ballads, written by Warren this time, although this one feel more of a typical adult contemporary for Anita Baker. "Take Him Back" a semi-ballad that samples Sting's "Shape of My Heart". "Right Here Waiting" a cover of Richard Marx classic ballad, pretty interesting but I prefer the original. "Cross the Room" a R&B song, sound a little dated, like it would have been written in the early 90's. "Keep It To Myself" is another smooth ballad and the closer "For You I Will" the second Warren penned ballad is better, and it was also a hit. Closes the album well.

Overall, Monica just like Brandy had "grown up" on this album and she had got alot of help from great producers/songwriters to fulfill a great album full of memorable hit singles. It's also a great mixure of ballads and R&B songs. To sum it up fast, this is her best album and it's a pleasant surprise. 4'5 stars.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb job by Miss Thang!, October 18, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Boy Is Mine (Audio CD)

Once again, Monica (superfluous name Arnold), has released a batch of wonderful songs each worthy of a listen. Dragged down by poor production and promotion, however, this album never reachest its highest potential. Monica is doing her part. Now can we get some fierce production the next time. I think if Monica is to be the next Whitney Houston, they need to promote and produce her as such. On her second venture out, Monica explores more mature topics (if that is even possible for her) such as hustling ("Street Symphony"), two-timing brothas ("The Boy Is Mine"), baby-making drama ("Ring Da Bell"), rushed relations ("The First Night"), that one perfect love who has your head all messed up with one thought of their name ("Misty Blue"), that other perfect love who is just celestial ("Angel of Mine"), breaking up ("Gone Be Fine"), wanting someone but can't have cause they have someone else ("Inside"), second chances ("Take Him Back"), missing someone who is away, but you will wait forever for them ("Right Here Waiting"), the other person at the dance who you are making eye contact with ("Cross the Room"), falling in love with a friend ("I Keep It To Myself"), and the one who you would do anything for ("For You I Will"). Whoa! Monica covers it all with her honey-dipped, gospel-tinged alto voice. With gut and soul, Monica delivers like no other. Bubble gum? I think not. And nor has she ever taken that route. On her debut in 1995, Monica's Miss Thang featured some pretty heavy and risque topics. Always poised and composed, Monica is in a class of her own. Monica takes R&B to a whole new level...noone can touch her. No comparisons can be made between Monica and Brandy or Aaliyah or Maya or anyone. All of these young stars have their own styles and they all deliver well. Monica just has the stronger, better voice. OOps! Was that a comparison? Well, it can be counted as one, but let's count it as fact. The next Whitney? How about let's just make another spot beside Whitney. The two number one divas of all times!!