Rainbow - Mariah Carey

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Sublime
Quality and consistency of tracks	Mixed
Value for Money

Advantages:	see op
Disadvantages:	see op

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Mariah Carey, love her or hate her she has been singing her heart out for years although recently she has had problems in her personal and professional life so her voice has had a rest, her popularity hasn’t.

Since 1991 Mariah has been filling up the charts with hit after hit, the first one being the over poppy “Emotions” which she proves she can sing pop, but with a soulful voice, has one of the largest vocal ranges ever…and can pull off the dodgy perm!! Uh hum!! Mariah was innocent then and left most of her career to the man who discovered her the manager of Sony records Tommy Matola and Mariah’s early marriage to him secured her place in the business. After the first album came one of her most successful albums, Music Box, filled with ballads, soul and pop. The first single from that album was “Dreamlover” where Mariah is rolling around in a cornfield in jean shorts, (which she seems to do a lot) Tons of hits followed, the classic cover of “without you” and her own smash “Hero” After the success of the album she began to get annoyed, as she had no control of what she did professionally. After the release of “Daydream” the third album she took control. She spread her wings and became a “Butterfly” Instantly her image changed, there was no more Mariah in jean shorts or with curly wurly hair, just slick, sexy and seductive. I have to say at this point I think her music did go downhill, but then came Rainbow……. (Finally she’s got to it your thinking!) After the success of Rainbow, things went downhill, the sixth album was a flop and so was the film she starred in of the same name, “Glitter” This seemed to get Mariah down, and after being chucked from her record company she decided she needed a rest and some help. I’m sure she will be back soon though, and while we are all waiting we can always listen to her classic songs!!

I have to say I didn’t really have much interest in the album Rainbow. My friend got it and I listened, enjoyed some of the songs. About 3 years after I am walking along a boot sale looking for bargains and there it is, Mariah’s fifth album, Rainbow for £1 at that price I had to get it (and it wasn’t a pirate!!). When I had a listen to it in the car on the way home, I forgot how good it was.

1) HEARTBREAKER (4:46)
The first release from the album and a cracking song it is. It’s an upbeat hip hop song featuring none other then Jay-Z. The song took a few listens before I really got interested in it and then it became stuck in my head, and there I was doing my Mariah impressions in front of the mirror!! The video for the song features Mariah showing off her new assets, which seemed to have become considerably larger from the Emotion days. Well maybe she matured over the years!! The video did actually cost a lot and features a kickboxing scene where Mariah fights herself!! I think the song deserved the number one slot. It proves that Mariah can sing any type of music and still sound great.

2) CANT TAKE THAT AWAY (MARIAHS THEME) (4:32)
Wow, that is all I could say when I heard this grand song. It is a true classic even though it’s not old! I cant believe it wasn’t a single, surely it would have been one of Mariah’s most successful songs. The song is filled with piano, violins and emotion. It is defiantly a strong track on the album and deserves the high place it receives. Its not just the music that is emotional, the lyrics are also. You will be surprised that is not a love song. It’s a song stating that no one can stop you from what you want to do, however people try to put you down you can succeed. This was obviously a shot from Mariah at the bad press that she gets, or even a song for Tommy!! Woooooo!!

3) BLISS (5:44)
This is an unusual song, but does remind me of the classic “Loving you” by Minnie Ripperton and you can see the influence she has had over Mariah. Her 8 octave range really shows on this song as Mariah effortlessly sings at the top of her voice, over the background of Chirping birds. The song is simple, smooth yet effective. Another strength on the album that really does shine through. It is also written and produced by Mariah herself.

4) HOW MUCH (3:30)
This song features the sex bomb (no, no, no not Tom Jones) Usher!! It was rumoured that him and Mariah were an item, but you never know as poor Mariah (according to the tabloids) has had many boyfriends including Eminem. Anyway back to the song. It contrasts the previous track by being an upbeat R’n’B song and with Ushers vocals it makes it even more special. This is one of the few upbeat songs on the album and although I like it I don’t think it is that special.

5) AFTER TONIGHT (4:15)
Again this could have been another classic Mariah pop ballad. A song filled with Mariah’s beautiful vocals and topped with the emotion and range. The song is of the same genre of “Cant take that away” or “My All” and would have done great in the charts. Mariah suits grand orchestral ballads and she knows this by churning them out. The song was also produced and written by her and does show off her lyrical skills.

6) EX-GIRLFRIEND (3:58)
This has to be my favourite up-beat song on the album. It was written by the same duo who wrote “No Scrubs” for TLC. Even if I hadn’t have told you that I’m sure you would have know as the sound is unique and outstanding. Mariah sings about an Ex who is ruining her life, and is trying to get her old man back. If you want a classic Mariah ballad this is not the song to listen to, but if you want the year 2K Mariah listen to this. The vocals on this song are not amazing and in my opinion could have been better. Its more of a turn up the volume song and dance to the beat!!

7) HEARTBREAKER (REMIX) (4:36)
Although this is the remix it is like a totally different song as it has different lyrics in it. I know a remix is supposed to be different but sometimes that is not always the case. The song features Da Brat and Missy Elliot. Mariah however still manages to show off her vocal talents on this song, but with a hard hip-hop beat. The video for this song is even raunchier then the original. It features Mariah washing a car, bending over etc blah blah. If you do look beyond that though you can realise that it is actually a good song………no I’m being honest!!

8) VUNERABILITY (INTERLUDE) (1:12)
This is basically a build up to the next track. It features Mariah singing heartbreaker, but slower and to a different backing. I don’t actually see the point in the song, but it does make a great calm down after the hip-hop song for the strong ballad to come…...

9) AGAINST ALL ODDS (TAKE A LOOK AT ME NOW) (3:52)
I know this isn’t a Mariah song but it has to be one of her best performances. I have to say I hated the version with Westlife in it that got to number one they really ruined the song. If you listen to this version you will genuinely be amazed and pulled in by Mariah’s voice. The notes she hits are spot on and the emotion that she sings with makes the song. I’m sure it would have been a hit without Westlife in the background. Not only a clever song to cover also a song that suits this woman’s voice.

10) CRYBABY (5:19)
I have to say I haven’t listened to this much, basically because I don’t like it. It features Snoop Doggy Dog and was co-produced by Mariah. The song for me has no life to it and isn’t very structured. A bit of a strange song to follow the fantastic Against all odds. I honestly think the album would be better without this song, but my opinion doesn’t count as I’m not Mariah!!

11) DID I DO THAT (4:15)
This song starts off with harmonised vocals and ends up a hip hop song with a great original beat. Featuring the rapping of “you cant stop her” rather then the classic “Mariah you’re on fire” or (Mariah’s hairs on fire!!) If you want to hear great Mariah warbling, you wont on this song. I think like Ex girlfriend, the beat is the most important part of the song. The only problem with this song is that it never really gets going. It seems to stop at a certain point and in my opinion it needed to get going more.

12) PETALS (4:23)
I am sure this song is a cover as I have heard it before, but I really cant think who did the original if anyone knows please tell me its driving me mad. Although I could be wrong as in the booklet it says it is written by Mariah?!
This song is back again to classic Mariah which is what I like. A beautiful grandiose ballad, filled again with strings, piano and the entire trimmings. I find this song very emotional. Mariah’s soft vocal start off the song and then her voice progresses and makes the song a grand ballad.

13) RAINBOW (INTERLUDE) (1:32)
A uplifting interlude which features rain noise then a soft piano beings and Mariah sings about finding a rainbow.

14) THANK GOD I FOUND YOU (4:17)
The last song and it was the last release from the album. It really does lift up the album when this song plays at the end. It finishes a story Mariah is trying tell. After all her ups and downs she finally finds happiness. The song features the smooth vocals of R’n’B’s Joe and American boy band 98 Degrees. Not only is the song uplifting the video features Mariah performing to her fans. I think the song should have received more recognition in UK, but that’s just my opinion!!

~~ALBUM COVER/BOOKLET~~
The front cover is bright and features Mariah wearing a tight top and small bikini bottoms with a rainbow draw over her. The picture actually is quite classy, it is a shame about the back cover, calling it the BACK is very appropriate as Mariah is basically showing her bum off as the rainbow is not painted on the back of her Bikin bottoms.

The booklet is quite impressive; it features track info and the words to all the songs so if you want a karaoke evening in privacy of your own home you can go right ahead!!

There is also a big picture of Mariah on a bed. (tut)

The CD itself is really pretty as it has rainbow colours streaked across it, and a pretty buttefly above it.

The album overall is quite impressive. There are a few weak songs, but you get that on most albums. The album features many classic Mariah ballads, but also incoperateds the new hip-hop sound.

~~LAST THOUGHT~~

Mariah has a fantastic voice, but a quote from my favourite Diva says it all

“Its so sad that female singers have to feel they need to take all there clothes off to get noticed” -Mary J Blige

Now you take note of auntie Mary, Mariah!!

"In a perfect world human beings would co-exist harmoniously, like a rainbow. A multitude of colours each layer vibrant and clear by itself, but in unison....boundless, breathtaking, celestrial...." - Mariah Carey