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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Absolutely Stunning!!, June 10, 2006
For her fifth traditional, non-holiday studio album, Mariah Carey raises the bar and creates a beautiful R&B-laced album. But this album is much unlike most albums in this category. This is a true work of art, a beautiful concept album at its best!!
Everything about this album is perfect! From the lyrics to the music to the production to the sequencing, very, very little could ever be done to improve this record. It is hands-down Mariah's best work, and actually my favorite record of all time!
Following a difficult marriage and painful divorce, Mariah digs much deeper than ever before, uncovering personal layers of herself listeners never would have imagined. The album doesn't dwell on the bitterness of the divorce, but, rather, salvages the memories of the relationship. Songs like "My All," "The Roof," "Breakdown," and the title track reflect upon lost love, express the personal agony of ending a relationship, and recall bittersweet memories of past relationships.
Although some of the aftershocks of her break-up with Tommy Mattola are evident in 'Butterfly,' the record does not focus solely on the topic. The album also consists of catchy, ear-candy tunes ("Honey", "Babydoll"), well-crafted love ballads ("Fourth of July", "Whenever You Call"), and beautiful personal reflections on life (the closing number "Outside", and the exceptional "Close My Eyes").
The musicality of the album is top-notch. Each song is very distinct from the rest, leaving the listener with a different feel for each track. However, while diverse, the tracks work in unison to create a complete work of art.
Mariah also leaves behind a good bit of the pop dance and ballads of her earlier career and ventures into the R&B territory, a place she had been wanting to explore years prior to this release. The result is beyond satisfactory. A smooth, more dynamic artist is born, and success is written all over this move. The music of this album is pure ear candy. But that's definitely not the only reason this album remains so superb.
Lyrically, this album is astonishing. Some of the best song lyrics I've ever heard exist in the tracks of this album. If you are not a Mariah Carey fan, don't let this hinder you from checking out this gem. You may be surprised by what you hear. This album appeals to non-lambs as well.
This album is one of the most vulnerably personal and exquisitely crafted albums I've ever heard. The only thing else I can say about it is that I will forever be waiting for the day when Mariah creates another album as stunning as this one. Trust me, if I could give it infinity stars, I would!! It really is THAT awesome!
The songs...
1. "Honey" 10/10: An excellent choice for the first single! The beat, the lyrics, the music, and especially the video, are all hot! A smart, sexy summer single, and my second favorite Mariah #1 (the first being "Hero") and possibly her best upbeat song ever!
2. "Butterfly" 10/10: A gorgeous, bittersweet ballad co-written with her long-time collegue, Walter A. The lyrics and music are beautiful, and I love the background vocalists!
3. "My All" 9/10: A very nice, wistful ballad about lost love. I would have picked other songs on this CD to go to #1 before this one, particularly because I like their lyrics more, but it's great!
4. "The Roof" 10/10: One of my all-time favorite Mariah songs (and my second favorite video, right after "Honey). It's so catchy, with clever, nostalgic lyrics, and a hauntingly compelling tune. Awesome!!!
5. "Fourth of July" 9/10: A nice love ballad, sounding very much like a continuation of "Underneath the Stars" from 'Daydream.' I play it multiple times every July 4th! (lol)
6. "Breakdown" 10/10: I love this song! It is very possibly Mariah's best hip-hop collaboration ever! Bone Thugs 'N Harmony add so much to this track! An excellent mid-tempo number with very clever lyrics about the painful aftermath of a break-up. It's ridiculous that this song was so overlooked when it was released!!
7. "Babydoll" 9/10: A cool, smooth, mid-tempo R&B ditty with excellent lyrics by Mariah & Missy Elliott. Works very well after "Breakdown."
8. "Close My Eyes" 12/10!!!!: I break the rules and give this song two more points because it is Mariah's best song ever, and probably my all-time favorite song! A very personal, reflective ballad with THE BEST LYRICS EVER!!! Mariah doesn't overdo it here, singing quite soft and beautifully, a side of her I wish I could hear more often. OUTSTANDING!!!!! Words cannot express how much I love this song!!!
9. "Whenever You Call" 10/10: A beautiful love song! Classic Mariah. It will bring tears to your eyes. I want it played in my wedding!
10. "Fly Away (Butterfly Reprise)" 9/10: A lot like 1995's "Daydream Interlude," this dance version of "Butterfly" brings back the lyrics from the original's chorus and effectively bridges the gap between "Call" and "The Beautiful Ones." Works very well.
11. "The Beautiful Ones" 10/10: A stunning cover of Prince's original hit with guest vocalist Dru Hill. One of Mariah's best covers!! Some people may complain about the song being 7 minutes long, but I love it that way!! The longer it plays, the better it gets. Wonderful!
12. "Outside" 10/10: A very passionate (and heartbreaking!) soul ballad about never feeling like you belong. Mariah digs very deep into herself for these lyrics, and many listeners will be able to relate. Her vocals are awesome, and the lyrics are superb and somewhat reminiscant of "Looking In" from 'Daydream.' An excellent closing number!!
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27 of 33 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Best Album Ever!, July 23, 2001
This is by far Mariah's best album and the album that made me a fan! it's so beautiful and heartfelt.1. Honey - Great up-tempo song ya all know it, It became her 12th #1 song. 2. Butterfly - A beautiful ballad...I really can't descibe in words how wonderful it is. 3. My All - This is my favorite song on the album, it's classic Mariah. 4. The Roof - Another great song, It has greatl lyrics, soem of the best Mariah has ever written. 5. Fourth of July - This is the only song that I'm not that into, it's kinda like "Underneathe the Stars". 6. Breakdown - Mariah's best song after "Vision Of Love" Mariah and Bone Thugs = The best stuff you ever heard. 7. Babydoll - This song is a really great R&B song. 8. Close My Eyes - A very personal ballad, beautiful melody and great lyrics. This song sometimes brings a tear to my eye. 9. Whenever You Call - Old School Mariah type ballad. 10. Fly Away (Butterfly Reprise) - Nice dance mix 11. The Beautiful Ones - One of Mariah's best remakes...and Dru Hill sounds great on it! 12. Outside - Great ballad for anyone who feels..."On the outside".
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Soulful, Hip, Great to Listen Too, What Pop is about!, August 8, 2000
Even though this album is 3 years old, it still lingers on! This is the album that turned me into a Mariah Fanatic! All songs are soulful, hip, and great! If you're sick of the blonde singers (Britney Spears, etc..) Then this is the singer to turn too! Here is a review of her songs.1.Honey- Very hip, great choice for the first song on this album, makes you wanna listen to the whole album. 10/10 2.Butterfly- Great song again, the albums name. Very refreshing and soft. The lyrics are great and Mariah's voice is perfect. 10/10 3.My All- Now this is another good song, but not Great in my opinion, the background drowns out Mariahs wonderful voice. But its very 'European'. Still a good song though, it gets a 9/10 4.The Roof-Hip, Edgy, modern, and sort of rap style for Mariah, another good song. 9.5/10 5.Fourth of July-Definately an awesome song! I think they shouldof made a video of this one. I love the background music and jungle like noises and stuff. This is one of the best songs on the album. 10/10 6.Breakdown- Very catchy and good tune. I really like this song. Glad they made a video off of it. 10/10 7.Babydoll- Rap-like, kinda neat with the vocalist in the background. 9.5/10 8.Close My Eyes-A Masterpiece! Very emotional like, i LOVE this song, it almost puts a tear in your eye. 10/10 9.Whenever You Call-a good song, good tune. 9/10 10.Fly Away (Butterfly Reprise)- Very cool reprise, so it would have 12 songs. 11. The Beautiful Ones- Hip, kinda strange vocals and background music. I think a little too many 'baby,baby,baby's 8.5/10 12. Outside-A good ending song, slow and peaceful 10/10 Hope this review helped! I think any Mariah fans should definately add this album to there collection! Its also good for people who just heard of Mariah Carey!
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