Mariah Carey - Mariah Carey

Sixteen years ago, when Mariah Carey's career first took ff, she became a vocal phenomenon the like of which the world had never heard before. Today, an entire generation know only of the legend, as Carey's voice has gradually deteriorated with time. I am of this generation, and I was curious to know what the early Mariah sounded like in comparison to today, and whether the hype around her vocal talents was justified. I was not to be disappointed. ...
...the world's greatest superstars, and Mariah deserves every bit of recognition she got for it.

*TRACK LISTING*

1. VISION OF LOVE

The debut single, and the start of a glittering career. Not my favourite track on the record, but I can understand its appeal. A slow number, but not exactly a ballad; it seems to pack a subtle punch. A classic love song - not too cheesy, even for that era, and it seems to have ... more

Sixteen years ago, when Mariah Carey's career first took ff, she became a vocal phenomenon the like of which the world had never heard before. Today, an entire generation know only of the legend, as Carey's voice has gradually deteriorated with time. I am of this generation, and I was curious to know what the early Mariah sounded like in comparison to today, and whether the hype around her vocal talents was justified. I was not to be disappointed. Not only was her voice even more incredible back then, but it is also the only album I own that I still enjoy listening to every single song. This was the debut album of one of the world's greatest superstars, and Mariah deserves every bit of recognition she got for it.

*TRACK LISTING*

1. VISION OF LOVE

The debut single, and the start of a glittering career. Not my favourite track on the record, but I can understand its appeal. A slow number, but not exactly a ballad; it seems to pack a subtle punch. A classic love song - not too cheesy, even for that era, and it seems to have stood the test of time. Some great production work as the song builds, and the lyrics are something a little different to the average clichéd love song as well:

"Treated me kind
Sweet destiny
And I'll be eternally grateful
Holding you so close to me
I prayed through the nights
So faithfully
Knowing the one that I needed
Would find me eventually"

Mariah seems to cram a bit of everything into this song, perhaps knowing it is her one chance to shine; lots of runs, long sustained notes, impressive vibrato, and of course, what comes to be her trademark whistle register. Despite this, it somehow doesn't sound over the top, or like she's trying too hard. In fact, there's just a touch of understated class to it, which I think adds to its appeal.

2. THERE'S GOT TO BE A WAY

CHEESE! This song is seriously cheesy, but strangely catchy. Obviously approaching a different angle instead of the typical love song, Mariah gives us an 'inspirational' message:

"Some of us don't even wonder
Some of us don't even care
Couldn't we just love each other
Isn't there enough to share?"

Now call be cynical, but that was probably cringe worthy back then, let alone by today's standards. You wouldn't get away with that in the modern day charts, would you? That said, Mariah's vocals are breathtaking, together with the gospel-style backing vocals make this a really good track to listen to, if you can keep a straight face when it comes to the lyrics. Another quick flaunt of the whistle register and the inspirational atmosphere is complete.

3. I DON'T WANNA CRY

When I first heard this, I thought it had a sort of Spanish feel to it, I think because of the guitar in the background. This is a beautiful, soulful ballad, where Mariah manages to convey the emotion of the song and at the same time show off her vocal talents. I Don't Wanna Cry is the perfect example of Mariah's songwriting ability; she speaks the truth in a way that a listener can relate to it in a very real way, but with a creative flair so that the words become part of the song:

"Once again we sit in silence
After all is said and done
Only emptiness inside us
Baby look what we've become
We can make a million promises but we still won't change
It isn't right to stay together when we only bring each other pain"

The message of the lyrics is very clear, and paints a picture of the situation beautifully. One of my favourite tracks on the album.

4. SOMEDAY

This song has a kind of 80's feel to it; a strong drum beat, with some classic guitar solos, particularly at the bridge:

"Just think again cos I won't need your love anymore" {cue fancy guitar playing}

This track is bordering on cheesy, but there's something about it that's so catchy that even with the questionable lyrics, Mariah can do no wrong:

"Someday, ooh someday
The one you gave away will be the only one you're wishing for
Someday, hey hey
Boy you're gonna pay cos baby I'm the one who's keeping score"

Evidently, Mariah has been dumped in this song, but instead of being heartbroken, she remains stubbornly confident that he'll come crawling back to her in no time, at which point she'll tell him to get lost:

"You'll change your mind and call my name
Soon as you find they're all the same
And when you find yourself alone
Don't come back crying you should have known!"

A great track, with yet more whistling squeezed in at the end.

5. VANISHING

I'm torn between this and 7. Alone in Love as to which is my absolute favourite on the album. I adore this song; simple yet effective, with just Mariah and a piano accompaniment. Little production has been done on this track, except for the odd 'oooh' from the backing vocals and of course a high note layered in, it could well have been done in one simple take. Similar in subject to 'I Don't Wanna Cry', Vanishing is set at the beginning of the end of a relationship, however much she wishes otherwise:

"If I could recapture all of the memories and
Bring them to life surely I would"

Here, again, Mariah's songwriting comes into its own, whilst as always displaying her exceptional vocal skills. Vanishing is a joy to listen to in every possible way, and I would recommend you track it down and have a listen t it even if you don't buy the album.

6. ALL IN YOUR MIND

Another great track, featuring Mariah's highest recorded vocal note. This one gets better as it goes on; it starts off sounding quite ordinary, both lyrically and vocally, but by two minutes in, Mariah's voice has taken off and she's using yet another opportunity to show what she can do. Basically, she's telling her love that he's paranoid and everything is just peachy in their relationship:

"Hey darlin'
I know you think my love is slipping away
But baby it's all in your mind"

I wouldn't say this was the best track on the album, but it's still a great song.

7. ALONE IN LOVE

My joint favourite track on the record with Vanishing. This one is quite similar in topic to Track 5, but a lot more produced, and has a more studio based backing track compared to the simplicity of the piano in Vanishing. The lyrics are quite interesting here as well, very poetic and visual, and the arrangement of them is somewhat quirky. The same verse is repeated 3 times, in different parts of the song, with two different choruses, a bridge, and then what appears to be improvisation for the rest of the song. It's just something a little bit different and is Mariah's way of showing that she doesn't have to be conventional all the time. These lyrics are in my opinion the best that she has ever written:

"Swept me away but now I'm lost in the dark
Set me on fire but now I'm left with a spark
Alone you got beyond the haven
I'm lost inside the maze
I guess I'm all alone in love"

8. YOU NEED ME

Reminiscent of 'Someday', this song has a more aggressive tone to it, from the guitar riff starting the song off, to the almost haunting lyrics:

"I'm in your system, you really can't escape"

I really like this song; it's sort of dark and threatening, and one of the most vocally challenging on the album. I notice that this is the only album Mariah has released that doesn't really contain a theme of her feeling sorry for herself and pining for her lover. Even in sings about relationships ending here, she always seems to have the upper hand, or is at least bitter about the way things turned out. On later albums, she takes a softer, more victimised approach, but her debut gives the impression that she is a strong, driven woman, and I think that had an effect n the success of the album.

9. SENT FROM UP ABOVE

This song was way ahead of it's time in my opinion. Great production, great vocals, and great lyrics make it one of my favourite tracks n the album. Set at the peak of a relationship, it's a classic upbeat love song without being cheesy (apart from the 'sent from up above' cliché!). It has a studio based backing track, but there's plenty going on in terms of backing vocals as well which makes it a great listen. Ironically, you can't help thinking that Mariah probably wrote this song when at the peak a relationship of hers, and then when they broke up she probably wrote 'Alone in Love' or something! The two songs lyrically seem to connect:

"Unending passion, somehow the fire never dies
What we share is everlasting, love without demise"

Sort of similar to "Set me on fire but now I'm left with a spark"?

10. PRISONER

A brilliant track, a similar sound to 'You Need Me'; upbeat and aggressive, and again, strangely haunting. The only downside to this song is the 'rap', if you can call it that. It's bad, seriously. I don't know whose idea it was, but it lets down the song slightly, and is almost tongue-in-cheek, ruining the emotion:

"... and then say Mariah I miss you
Expect me to hug and kiss you??
Don't you diss me boy"

Beware, she raps a LOT in this track, but if you can look past that then you'll find it's an amazing song; simple, yet effective, lyric wise:

"You don't think that I'll be strong enough
But I won't be the prisoner of your love"

Is the whole of the chorus, but it's punchy and to the point. Another great tune as we near the close of the album.

11. LOVE TAKES TIME

A lot of people have said that this is their favourite track on the album, and some even say it's the greatest Mariah song ever, but I didn't like it at first, and it's still growing on me. A slow ballad, and the most sensitive track on the record, this was Mariah's second single, if I remember right, and proof that she was more than just a one hit wonder. Vocally, it's perfect; she conveys the emotion rather than oversinging to prove her ability. The lyrics are beautiful:

"I had it all, but I let it slip away
Couldn't see I treated you wrong
Now I wander around feeling down and cold
Trying to believe that you're gone"

Not my favourite track, but a fitting conclusion to what was a great debut album.

*RECOMMENDATIONS*

I think every household should own a copy of this album. The songs are varied enough that there is something in there to appeal to everyone, and it's definitely the best album she's ever done. Because it's now 16 years old, you can pick it up quite cheaply, so there is no excuse for you not to get hold of a copy!
 

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