Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 15, 1990)
• Original Release Date: June 12, 1990
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0000026TE
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (173 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #8,712 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I agree with Denny, June 23, 2004

By	Tyler (California, GG USA) - See all my reviews

This Mariah Carey's CD is old, but still her best. She is the best-selling female performer of the 1990s, Mariah Carey rose to superstardom on the strength of her stunning five-octave voice; an elastic talent who moved easily from glossy ballads to hip-hop-inspired dance-pop, she earned frequent comparison to rivals Whitney Houston and Celine Dion, but did them both one better by composing all of her own material. Born in Long Island, NY, on March 27, 1970, Carey moved to New York City at the age of 17 -- just one day after graduating high school -- to pursue a music career; there she befriended keyboardist Ben Margulies, with whom she began writing songs. Her big break came as a backing vocalist on a studio session with dance-pop singer Brenda K. Starr, who handed Carey's demo tape to Columbia Records head Tommy Mottola at a party. According to legend, Mottola listened to the tape in his limo while driving home that same evening, and was so immediately struck by Carey's talent that he doubled back to the party to track her down.

This extremely impressive debut is replete with smooth-sounding ballads and uplifting dance/R&B cuts. Carey convincingly seizes many opportunities to display her incredible vocal range on such memorable tracks as the popular "Vision of Love" (featured during her television debut on The Arsenio Hall Show, an appearance noted by many as her formal introduction to stardom), the energetic "Someday," and the moody sounds of the hidden treasure "Vanishing." With this collection of songs acting as a springboard for future successes, Carey establishes a strong standard of comparison for other breakthrough artists of this genre.

I don't trust you music fan (who rated just 1 star), but I trust every people who think this music is great.

35 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Vision of love, and a voice to match, September 30, 2003

By	Daniel J. Hamlow (Narita, Japan) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Mariah Carey. Yes, I remember 1990, when her debut album appeared and went multi-platinum. A full decade before hip-hop and guest rappers sprouted like duckweed on her albums. And before she did the ritual cover song per album, not that I mind that, as long as it's done properly. She was a breath of fresh air while I was at college. And that piercing high note she hit didn't annoy me at all. I was enthralled.

From the moment I heard the opening majestic keyboard, I waited with baited breath, wondering what the deal was with "Vision Of Love", and when I heard that voice, a rich, soulful vocal that could reach gospel-like power, I instantly stopped wondering. And how ironic that a religious song like this could spend weeks atop a normally secular chart. People were apparently attuned to the chorus and her voice.

Mariah then tackles poverty in America and apartheid in South Africa in the soulful but danceable "There's Got To Be A Way", which calls for "We Are The World"-type compassion and change initiated by human unity. That gospel-like backing vocals enhance this song, which could've been a single if not for the serious message.

"I Don't Wanna Cry" will make you cry if it hits you in the right frame, namely a blue heart. "I know we swore it was forever/but it hurts too much to stay around" she sings with poignant resignation. That sultry whisper and lowered register on the final title lyric was brought to my attention by Eric Andrews, my colleague extraordinaire, for which I say thank you once again. Yes, it is, isn't it?

The engaging R&B dance number "Someday" was the current single played before I finally decided to take a risk and get this album. Janet Jackson or Taylor Dayne could NOT make this song theirs. It's Mariah's fair and square.

Then, three wonderful songs that really showcase Mariah's vocals. The piano ballad "Vanishing" gradually builds up in tempo to become another gospelish song, with that famous Mariah-high note at one part. "All In Your Mind" is in the same vein, and is an affirmation of love and that any misgivings is all in... well. When she sings "You'll feel my emotions if you look in my eyes", given how she looks, I'll believe it.

"Alone In Love" makes my heart sigh whenever I hear it. Another song that could've been a single, she makes this tender song of being lonely and lost twice over. Gosh, "slowly fall apart without you/cry away the hours/'till the morning light"... where are those pills again?

A brief rock guitar intro sort of close to Eddie Van Halen opens "You Need Me" and it is heard after the bridge. Nile Rodgers, definitely. She is more assertive in this song, addressed to a soulmate: "Baby, you can turn around and leave/but I know that you'll keep coming right back to me." That's followed by "Sent From Up Above", which comes close to filler, but has a sitar-sounding synth.

The upbeat "Prisoner" is a Taylor Dayne-type song--heck, even Rich Tancredi does keyboards here--and is another assertive song, where she sings "I won't be a prisoner of your love."

Mariah is tearfully kicking herself in "Love Takes Time" after treating a loved one wrong. A Whitney-type song of how it takes a long time for healing, there's a ray of hope, however dim, in the bridge, where she sings her lungs out:

Even with the Bodyguard coming out two years later, it was clear that Whitney Houston was being eclipsed by this newcomer. Indeed, when their duet "When You Believe" came out in 1999, guess whose voice I loved better? I simply adore the ballads better, but the whole album's got a consistent sound of rich R&B/gospel/pop hybrid that just comes together, thanks to Rich Tancredi's keyboards, and arrangements by Ben Margulies and Walter Afanasieff.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars No Filler Here - Best Mariah Album, January 1, 2006

A Kid's Review

Along with Emotions & her Unplugged album, this is the best in my opinion. Every song is good and there's no filler. You can listen to the whole album without having to touch your skip button. This was a more innocent Mariah with heartfelt and sassy lyrics. Her influences are apparant; there's a lot of gospel/r&b/soul influences throughout. I recommend this album. If you're hesitating to buy it, don't. You'll be more than satisfied with it. (Get Emotions & her Unplugged Album also)

Vision Of Love - When I listen to this song I always forget that it's from 1990. I never get sick of hearing it and it sounds so fresh and new even today, unlike some of the other songs on the album that sound dated (for example, All In Your Mind) - not that that's a bad thing, but it makes this song interesting in particular because it's timeless. It's a great song & her first single ever/first #1 ever.

There's Got To Be A Way - A good song, but the message is a bit serious for my taste. That doesn't take away from the fact that it's a good song though.

I Don't Wanna Cry - The vocals are beautiful on this one, and it has beautiful lyrics, but it's a bit long and repetitive after awhile.

Someday - I adore this song. So great. It's so catchy and has some empowering lyrics. It's a fun song to sing while in the car.

Vanishing - This is the most raw and least-produced sounding on the album. It almost sounds like it could have been live. A gospelish song that Mariah produced herself. It sounds like it meant a lot to her & that makes it all the more beautiful. It's a moody song that makes you think, and the vocals are gorgeous.

All In Your Mind - A mellow poppy song. It sounds like a run of the mill song until the reggae-breakdown that is simply amazing. She really sounds like she was having a lot of fun. In my opinion, the whistle register featured here is the best use I've heard her use it for in a song.

Alone In Love - I enjoy this song. It could have easily been a single. It's a slow ballad and a bit reminisent of Love Takes Time.

You Need Me - The same sassy feel as Someday & Prisoner. This song is so catchy & fun. Another fun one for singing in the car. Has a mild rock feel to it.

Sent From Up Above - Some people think this song is simply filler, but I think it's beautiful and catchy. She doesn't oversing at all on this one, it's more of a soft song, like something you'd listen to while taking a relaxing bubble bath.

Prisoner - Awesome. A bit like Someday, and I think I might like this one even better. It's catchy and has amazing lyrics. People are being so cruel about the rapping featured in this song. It's the fun care-free cheesy rap from the 80's and early 90's that makes you feel good. I'd much rather this than her guest hip hop rappers she now has on her albums.

Love Takes Time - Everyone seems to love this song, but personally it doesn't stand out to me as great or amazing. It's a bit boring and run of the mill in my opinion. It doesn't sound to me like she's feeling what she's singing. I prefer Alone In Love to this song, but it's by no means a bad song. It's a good ballad but I think it's a bit boring and predictable. It sounds a bit rushed also.

All in all, this album is great and I think Vision Of Love was ahead of its time. There is no bad song on this album & I don't get sick of this album ever.