Disco de Mariah Carey: “Mariah Carey”

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.

Hard to believe the amount of heart and craft that went into this album. Mariah Carey circa 1990 was a more naive, more reserved artist who started off on the right foot, delving into musical genres that best suited her bombastic technique.

And the smash debut album was the result. "Vision of Love"'s unorthodox slow waltz was unique in 1990, known as an "unsingable" song, but somehow sounding like vintage radio material when married to Carey's mature-beyond-her-years voice. "Love Takes Time" was an absolute pop classic -- sure, it's the usual keyboard arrangements, but that chorus (with its killer ending line) is instantly catchy. "There's Got to Be a Way" remains Carey's best up-tempo song, with Ric Wake's crisp, rock-edged production and a gospel choir adding punch and credibility. Whenever Carey gets instrumental support that can rival the power of her voice, she succeeds in spades. Hence the low-lit, drop-dead gorgeous "I Don't Wanna Cry" (one of the few songs in the Carey catalogue that doesn't overflaunt her vocal range), the pounding piano of "Vanishing", and the quietly pleading "Alone in Love". This album was criticized for being a little too slick, too polished in sound and arrangement, but in the long run, I think it was the best partner to Carey's vocal style and influences, an elegant backdrop that adds class to the bombast.

Eventually Carey's music would follow the trends and sink into the wasteland of leaden synth beats, unmemorable and sloppily written songs filled with samples and guest stars, and hip-hop beats which jar with Carey's vocals. But I still play this album while Butterfly, Daydream and Rainbow sank without a trace after a spin or two. Not only does it stand as a time capsule reminding me of my own growing up, but it's better music than Carey's produced in the last half decade, and one of the most impressive debuts of the '90s.

There should be extra stars for exceptional cd's such as this great debut from Mariah. I don't know why I didn't review this earlier, but this one of the best cd's you'll find. I've loved Mariah ever since I first heard Vision of Love all those years ago, and been a loyal fan ever since. This, and Emotions, are where she was at her absolute best - way before she changed direction (although she didn't do that too badly).

On here is Love Takes Time, I Don't Want To Cry, Prisoner and You Need Me - which to me are the very best songs on here. The rest are also fantastic. It really is hard to narrow down favourites when this singer/songwriter makes multiple hits that you love. Anyone who says she's untalented or these songs are stupid or whatever, are purely jealous. Mariah is Queen of all things music.

Its unreal this was Mariah Carey's first CD.Four of the 11 cuts,all written by Mariah, went to number 1.When I first heard "Vision of love," I was blown away by the vocal range of this new singer.My favorite single is "Love takes time." For some reason,this one really gets to me.I could think of 4 more songs that would have made it to number 1."There's got to be a way," about changing our ways, helping the homeless,killing bigotry,is a beutifull,heatbreaking cut."All in your mind," Mariah's vocals are out of this World on this number.My Dogs go nuts when Mariah hits the high notes. "You need me," is my favorite.This is the hardest rocking song from the CD.Mariah's voice is hard and mean,and I love the chorus. "Prisoner"has a great rap middle,like everyone was having on there records in the late 80's and early 90's.This has got to be the greatest debut album by any artist,and all 11 cuts written by this gifted singer.

I first heard mariah carey song when i was 4yrs old, I instantly cant forget the song. Well the song was Vision of Love...Mariah debut is one of the best album from the 1990's..and her voice had been an inspiration to so many singers today.

my faves songs from this album are: Vision of Love, Vanishing, All In Your Mind and Someday.