Charmbracelet

Mariah Carey

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 3, 2002)
• Original Release Date: 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Island
• ASIN: B00006RY8N
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1,097 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #45,915 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Mariah Carey's ninth album has been touted as her comeback album, coming as it does after the belly flop that produced the overwrought soundtrack to her ill-fated film, Glitter. With Charmbracelet, Carey goes out of her way to fix all those aesthetic glitches, tempering the overblown vocals, simpering lyrics, and uninspired funk covers of her last album and returning to what she does best--showcasing her magnificent five-octave voice and pillaging her lift history for inspiration. After her breakup with superstar Luis Miguel, MTV meltdown, hospitalization for exhaustion, and the death of her father, Carey had a lot of emotional baggage to sift through. She has and, as a result, has created an inspired and diverse 15-song opus that finds her skipping from an impassioned Aretha Franklin-like gospel ("Saving Grace") to an impish cover of Def Leppard's power ballad "Bringin' on the Heartbreak." Though he's not mentioned by name, rapper Eminem is given a pointed drubbing on "Clowns" for hinting in the press and in his own song "Superman" of a relationship with Carey. There hasn't been such a compelling musical soap opera since Carly Simon's '70s roman à clef, "You're So Vain." However, the disc's most inspiring moment comes on "Sunflowers for Alfred Roy," a wistful elegy for her father that recounts his final days in his hospital room. This is a stunning return to form for Carey. --Jaan Uhelszki

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars wroks like a charm!, December 4, 2002

By	"khaledthesailorman" (Kuwait) - See all my reviews

Mariah Carey is at her best in this deeply emotional album. the lead single, through the rain, is an inspirational song that everyone can relate to. other tracks, such as lullaby, the one and you got me are the perfect example of what is meant by MARIAH's songs are never boring! the work simply drips with style and beauty.

1.through the rain: a ballad written by the songstress and showcases her amazing voice.

2. boy (i need you: a nice funky song that samples cam'rons summer hit oh boy in a good way.

3. The one: Mariah and JD did one hell of a job on this stunning song, the lyrics, the music, the singing; you name it this song has it.

4. Yours: a beautiful catchy ballad which has the same feeling of thank god i found. straight up hit.

5.You Got Me feat. Jay-Z and Freeway: simply great. the song is a one the albums highlights, it has a good beat to it.

6. I Only Wanted: no matter how much i praise this song it will be an underestimation for it is sooooooooo beautiful. sorry but i can't be objective about it. a Mariah calssic with spanish guitar and the sound of the shore it has the same feeling of My all and after tonight (maybe more mature) a #1 if ever released.

7. clown: a nice hip hop song that artistically smashes eminem's face.

8. My Saving Grace: a gospel masterpeice which we haven't heard from Mariah since anytime you need a friend. straight from the heart (if you cry easily don't listen to it in public)

9. You Had Your Chance: nice hip hop song, has good base it will make you want to get your groove on.

10. Lullaby: a song very close to the roof from the butterfly album, sexy, infctious song. my favorite.

11. Irresistible (Westside Connection): features Ashanti, a great song again modern hip hop is here but it doesn't hurt.

12. Subtle Invitation: a soulful down-to-earth song that has a definet Stevie wonder feeling to it. jazzy upbeat.

13. Bringin' On The Heartbreak: a cover of def leppard's hit, need i say more? ok it's great.

14. Sunflowers For Alfred Roy: beautiful elegy dedicated to her late father very intense and emotional.

15. Through The Rain (Remix) feat. Kelly Price and Joe: a beautiful r'n'b remix very well produced and the choice of guest artits couldn't be more appropriate.

a great album will be enjoyed by everybody it's directed to all styles pop, adult contmporary, r'n'b, jazz and even rock! a must have in any decent music library.

35 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Return To Form, December 3, 2002

By	J. M. Zuurbier (Canada) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

2001 was not Mariah's year. It started in an upbeat mood when she signed an $100 million dollar contract with Virgin Records. Her first movie, GLITTER, tanked at the box office. The soundtrack failed to present any huge hits or the sales that the label desired. She was payed out of her contract and let go. In between it all, Mariah suffered from personal problems, breakdowns, and more.

On CHARMBRACELET, Mariah lets us into her world, and offers up what might be her most personal offering yet. The album opens with the first single "Through The Rain", a fitting choice knowing what she has been through. It is an inspiring song of hope and determination, realizing you have the strength to make it through the rain and face another day. It's a classic Mariah ballad, in a similar vein of her past hits "Hero" and "Can't Take That Away". I was not sure what to expect with this album, but I am not too disapointed in it. Once again she has the collaborations, however thankfully there are not as many on here as on her past albums like GLITTER or RAINBOW. Cam'ron joins Mariah on the bouncy "Boy (I Need You)", Jay-Z and Freeway join her on "You Got Me", West Side Connection on "Irresistible", and Kelly Price & Joe on the "Through The Rain" Remix.

The strength of the album lies in the ballads, which are very personal. "I Only Wanted" is one of my favorites, it looks in retrospect at a relationship and the promises made, wishing the outcome was different. A sentiment and experience I'm sure many people have been through in their own lives, I know I have. "My Saving Grace" is a nice uplifting ballad, with excellent vocals from Mariah. She does another cover song here as well, on "Bringin' On The Heartbreak", originally done by Def Leppard. "Clown" is rumored to be about her brief relationship with Eminem, its definately a tongue in cheek song full of attitude.

Perhaps the saddest, most personal moment on the album lies in the song "Sunflowers for Alfred Roy", a song she sings about her father who passed away earlier this year. According to Mariah, she only sang this song once through. "Lullaby" and "Subtle Invitation" are upbeat funky numbers fans are sure to love. My only complaints are, the collaborations, once again not necessary, and the high level she is singing at. She is singing even higher than she did on RAINBOW, and at times it sounds strained and its hard to hear what she is trying to convey, but at times it does work.

Overall, whether or not this album performs well commercially is not the question. Mariah has returned to form on this CD, by singing and writing from the heart. That is the greatest reward, and the fact she is sharing this with her listeners.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mariah is here!, November 9, 2003

By	Marleo Davis (Springfield, IL USA) - See all my reviews

1. Through The Rain - Great song. Expresses the srong points of Mariah's writing abilities.
2. Boy (I Need You)- Very catchy song. Not one of my favorite Mariah songs, but ok.
3. The One - Good song. She works well with Jermaine. She shows a different singing style in this song. She uses all the registers in her voice to perfection.
4. Yours - I would have loved to hear the version with Justin as well. But, of course MC pulled it together herself.
5. You Got Me - Another very catchy song. Love the extra "kiddy" vocals.
6. I Only Wanted - This is Mariah. She really knows how to touch you.
7. Clown - Truthfully, I laughed the first time I heard this song. Go mc! heh!
8. My Saving Grace - I'm hoping this is the next single. She delivers this song with such power. For some reason, the structure of this song reminds me of "Outside" from Mariah's Butterfly albumn. Love it!!
9. You Had Your Chance - Didn't really dig this song.
10. Lullaby - FABULOUS! Definately one of my favs. Great melody.
11. Irresistible - I really don't like this song. Sorry Mariah. I can't even listen to the entire thing.
12. Subtle Invitation - WONDERFUL!! I think this is my favorite song on the albumn. Mariah- you do very well with jazzy instruments. This song is on my top mariah list.
13. Bringin' On The Hearbreak - Great remake. She does a great collaboration with the guitarist.
14. Sunflowers For Alfred Roy -Nice dedication. Reminds me of the Rainbow Interlude from Mariah's Rainbow Album.
15. Through The Rainbow (Remix)- Very good remix - to perfection.
Mariah never left. She is a huge sucess and will be for years to come. Weather she's writing, singing, producing or directing (not to mention her record lable - monarc) she will always be a ball of talent. Loved Charmbracelet!