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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
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The voice of an angel.
Mariah Carey's debut, released nearly 20 years ago (it doesn't seem like she's been around that long) was one of the most successful albums of the year. The public was amazed at her singing, and radio played her songs repeatedly. Nowadays, with her albums being on a hit-or-miss rating system, it is hard to remember that for a while, it seemed she could do no wrong. But one listen of this debut, and you'll see why people thought so.
"Vision of Love"- Her very first hit song, and it is easy to hear why. Fabulous soulful singing that she has yet to surpass, the song can really give you chills. A
"There's Got to Be a Way"- A very catchy and moving song about making the world a better place. It could have been a huge hit if released, but even so, it is one of the best songs on the album. A
"I Don't Wanna Cry"- This song went to #1 as well as 3 others on the album, though I cannot understand why. This is a song meant to be filler, as it isn't very catchy, they lyrics are not particularly interesting, and her vocals are pretty average. C+
"Someday"- A fun, albeit more dated song on the album. It sounds good, and is the type of song that's fun to sing to on the radio, but at the same time, it also sounds like a song Paula Abdul would have done. B-
"Vanishing"- It is filler, and there's no way around it, but it still is a nice track. Gospel meets torch song, it is pretty good. B
"All in Your Mind"- Another nice song, which could have had success if released as a single, but as an album track, it's still very nice. A-
"Alone in Love"- A great background song, this is very relaxing and soothing. Shows that Mariah could sing well even if she did not hit super high notes. A-
"You Need Me"- Not my favorite song, but catchy and danceable at any rate. Great personality shown in the singing. B
"Sent Up From Above"- This feels a lot like a song Sade would have recorded, but Mariah still makes it her own. It's very beautiful. A
"Prisoner"- An okay track. I have to say it is very easy to laugh at at times, especially at the times when Mariah raps. Yes, you read correctly. This track has probably aged the worst out of all of them on this release. C
"Love Takes Time"- A lovely, moving song, and a nice way to end the album. Will definitely strike a chord with those getting over a break-up. A
This is not the easiest album of Mariah Carey's to consider flawless, since it has a dated early-90s adult contemporary sound to a lot of it. But even so, this has aged like fine wine, putting it up there with Whitney Houston's debut as one of the greatest soul albums ever. Every Mariah Carey fan will want this, as it is still one of her best releases.
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Mariah's First Album
Mariah's first album is absolutely amazing. It's got a lot of great pop and soul songs. This album is a classic and any diehard Mariah Carey fan should own it. Here's my review on the songs:
1.) Vision of Love: Great song and Mariah sounds sooo amazing!! No wonder this song went to #1.
2.) There's Got To Be A Way: Cool upbeat song with a great message that will touch your heart.
3.) I Don't Wanna Cry: This is such a sweet ballad. It talks about how Mariah won't cry over the love she used to have.
4.) Someday: This is one of my favorite upbeat Mariah songs. It's got a good beat and fun to dance to.
5.) Vanishing: This ballad is so deep and haunting and I love it.
6.) All in Your Mind: A great pop-like ballad
7.) Alone in Love: Another good ballad from Mariah. She sounds great.
8.) You Need Me: A great 90's pop song and Mariah makes this song excellent.
9.) Sent From Up Above: Another good pop song talking about a lover who was "sent from up above"
10.) Prisoner: Great and Mariah even raps on this song about her not being "a prisoner of your love"
11.) Love Takes Time: Nice ballad to end the album off right.
If you're a big die-hard fan of Mariah Carey, get her debut album. You won't be disappointed.
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Love.
I love love love this album to death. The first I heard when I was extremely young, and have since decided it was indeed her greatest.
Rating: 
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Carey really carried on! 4 1/2 Stars
I have been a Mariah Carey supporter for a number of years, but ironically, I have never taken the time to listen to her debut, although in the back of my mind I always intended to. I am so thrilled that I finally did, it's a classic! This album is consistent, but the beginning and ending are of more quality than the middle. There are a few up-tempo tracks, but this album is mostly ballads and mid-tempos. Also, Mariah's voice is in rare form, but when comparing this album to her later works, there is a more girly sound in her voice on this album, but I enjoyed it. She introduces a technique that music fans would come to love (and criticize); her five octave range. Personally, I am very entertained by her range, but others have disparaged her because they say she mimics Minnie Riperton. While Riperton did do it first, Mariah does hers differently, and she doesn't, in any way, remind me of Riperton.
"Vision of Love" begins this album. It took me a few years to appreciate this song, but now that I do, I consider it a treasure. Mariah's delivery is brilliant and so are the lyrics. The production is remotely eerie, but it's a very decent beat. "Someday" and "Love Takes Time" are easily two of Mariah's best songs. "Someday" is about a man who leaves his girl for another girl, while his ex is saying, "Someday you'll realize that I am the better woman." Again, the delivery is premiere. "Love Takes Time" is a touching ballad. Mariah really exercises her voice here and she's effective. "Alone in Love", "You Need Me", and "Prisoner" are good songs, but they aren't as good as the rest of the album. "Alone in Love" is a typical R&B song with no distinction included, that's my biggest problem with this track. "You Need Me" is infused with sounds of rock, and its good, but thank goodness she doesn't do that often.
Worth mentioning is the fact that this album was released in 1990, but not one song sounds dated. I truly appreciate that because many albums that were released that year did not stand the test of time, but this one? I'm very impressed. Mariah Carey gave the world a memorable debut and all are encouraged to buy.
Mikeisha's Top 5
1. "Vision of Love"
2. "Love Takes Time"
3. "Someday"
4. "I Don't Wanna Cry"
5. "There's Got to be a Way"
Rating: 
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An Obvious Starting Point : Mariah's Debut Album
Wow, its close to twenty years that this was first released, but I guess 'timeless' doesn't do it justice.
For a new Mariah fan, this is a great place to start. Very reminiscent of Whitney Houston's debut album from 1986, in the sense that almost every song could have been a single (and those that were released as singles made it to No. 1 mostly).
Standouts : "Vision of Love" and "Someday". Try to track down the cheesy videos for these two if you can. "Love Takes Time", the album closer, was actually supposed to be on Mariah's second album "Emotions" but was added at the last minute to this one.
Not So Good : "I don't Wanna Cry" (which was ironically a No. 1 song for Mariah) is a song I have tried to like since 1990 but it has never worked for me. Something about it is very bland and insipid. "Vanishing" is another smoky ballroom number that irritates me everytime I listen to it. Does absolutely nothing for me.
Average : "All in Your Mind". Listening to this now its good to know that in this day and age we have dumped that Casio Synthesizer that gave every '90s track a very old-sounding air. This song is prime example of a Mariah track that sounds dated. Its good, but sounds old. Might be a turn off for listeners not used to Mariah from that era.
Is this Mariah's best album? God no. That honor would go to her 1997 release "Butterfly". This one is more of an introduction her voice. There are clearly some great singles here, but lets face, like every pop album from that era this had some pretty awful songs as well (try listening to "Vanishing" without wanting to fall asleep).
All in all, a great place to start if you want to rediscover Mariah, but I would highly recommend both "The Emancipation of Mimi" and "Butterfly" over this.
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