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Her signature up-tempo opening number, 'Heartbreaker' sets the tone for the rest of the album. Whilst this song, as it stands, is an excellent example of her ability to incorporate fellow R'n'B stars (here Jay Z) into her very special brand of "pop", it has unfortunate echoes of 'Honey', an altogether more successful and pleasing union. There is a pervading sense with this album of trying to recapture the innovative poise and balance of "Butterfly", right down to the 'Heartbreaker Remix'.

There are, however, flashes of genius not seen since her debut offering. Although that captivating upper-register has, in recent albums, been utilised far more as a background instrument, here she rescinds that old endeavour, restoring it to its former position as an extension of that incomparable voice. The slightly over-long third song, 'Bliss', sees the top octaves of her range being used as the fundamentals of the chorus, a brave move in view of the criticism that such singing is merely a refined screaming.

The soft-rock balladeering for which she is perhaps best known is still here, although 'Can't Take That Away (Mariah's Theme)' does seem a rather pale imitation of the anthem-like 'Hero'. The rest of the slower numbers are rather more pleasing than some of the more "contemporary" offerings, but the single best track on the album, by some considerable margin is the STUNNING rendition of the Phil Collin's 1984 #2 hit, 'Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now)'. This song alone warrants the cost of the CD and, when viewed in this context, any other enjoyable tracks are an added extra.

The sense of a personal journey is very much apparent, and fans will undoubtedly be impressed and humbled by such public therapy (the song 'Petals' being one such heart-wrenching example).

All in all, this album is a disappointing sequel to "Butterfly" and to the new songs on the #1's album, but it is contains several moments of sheer bliss and that voice, that incredible voice, carries lesser songs, which, in less experienced and magical hands, would seem like dirge.

One for the fans only, I fear.

PS The front cover is her at her most provocative yet - what next, I am tempted to ask?


Did anyone even really listen to this album?   November 25, 1999
 15 out of 18 found this review helpful

I find it hard to believe that the people who gave this album less than a rating of three completely didn't listen to this album! In the liner notes located on the first page of the pull out Mariah states that 'This album chronicles my emotional rollercoatser ride of the past year.' Has anyone noticed the developement from song to song? The journey that she takes the listener on? It begins with the lyrically brilliant 'Heartbreaker' (which I might add is one of her best-written up-tempo hits). The song may not be her most rhymatically driven song (she has a need to recycle songs like the boring Will Smith) but it shines with the pure POP feeling that she has given us over the last decade. Let's not forget, that is what she is, a great POP artist! 'Can't Take That Away (Mariah's Theme)' is another great song, this time becuase she both co-wrote it (with Diane Warren) and it is of original origin, no recycling here. Her best ballad ever, I would have to say. Unfortunetly Mariah can bore the pants off me with her annoying mumbling that began on 'Daydream' (Music Box is void of it) with the song 'Underneath The Stars.' She doesn't have to do it, but she does on 'Bliss', 'Vulnerability' (there for the emotional rollercoaster ride rather than the appeal) and 'Crybaby' (most likely her worst song ever because her voice is annoying and Snoop Dogg is on it! What more can I say!) But her song 'How Much' which features Usher pumps, as does the soon to be hit 'X-Girlfriend.' Her cover of the Phil Collins classic is in my opinion better than the original (as was her No.3 hit 'Without You') and the wonderfully lyricised 'Petals' is packed with Mariah's past and feelings. Her voice does exactly what the song calls for, she doesn't need to belt out or pull that annoying nonsense she does on certain songs, the song is just simple beauty. Her duet with 98 Degrees and Joe 'Thank God I Found You' is another great ballad that is up there with the ranks of 'One Sweet Day' and 'Endless Love.' It is a wonderful song that only deserves to be at No.1. So please before you decide to review this album, at least listen to what she is saying rather than doing, because words are stronger than what she wears, who she sings with (except 'Crybaby') and 'How unoriginal she is.' It's the meaning behind the songs that is important. Rainbow is a strong album, creative and emotionally packed, not her best (Music Box is) but a great effort from a gtreat artist. Four out of Five.


Rainbow rushed, but Carey pulls it off   May 15, 2000
 13 out of 15 found this review helpful

How many album's can you get that includes latin, rnb, hip-hop, gospel and power ballads? Not many. However, you can find it on Mariah Carey's new triple platinum album, Rainbow. In Rainbow, the listener can tell that Mariah has changed to more of a RnB sound like she did in her 1997 LP, Butterfly. However, Ms. Carey doesn't walk totally away from her early years, this album is packed with many sweet-sounding ballads. As a huge fan, I think Mariah rushed this album since she recorded it in 2 months, but she pulled it off. The following is a list of the songs and what I think of them. Included is a scale of 1-10 and 10 being excellent, 1 being poor. Heartbreaker (9/10) and Can't Take That Away (Mariah's Theme) (10/10): Heartbreaker is one of my favorite fast-pace recordings from Mariah, which is in the top with Fantasy and Honey. Her vocals are very good in it with Jay-Z adding a whole new level. Her classic high-pitched notes can be found at the end. Can't Take That Away is one of the most incredible ballads Mariah Carey has ever sung. Most people think of it as Hero but in many ways it is different. This ballad teaches people to let nobody take anything away from himself or herself and has helped me greatly. This new single from Rainbow is set to go to #1 like Heartbreaker and Thank God I Found You did.

Bliss (9/10) and How Much (7.5/10): Bliss is among one of my favorite because it shows Mariah Carey's amazing talent right off. This Minney Ripperton like song is a slow sexy song almost like Babydoll off of Butterfly. How Much is a great song but is one of my least favorite. It seemed to me that the production and vocals were out of place throughout the whole song. However, after listening to this song a few times, one can only enjoy the great RnB beat!

After Tonight (8.5/10) and Ex-Girlfriend (9/10): After Tonight is a beautiful, Latin-type, romantic ballad. This song was going to be completed with her new boyfriend, Luis Miguel, but didn't work out. To many listeners, this song reminds them of My All which was her 13th #1 in April 1998. Shakespeare (sp?) who also produced TLC's "No Scrubs" produced the next track, Ex-Girlfriend. I think this is one of the best tracks from Rainbow. Some fans were disappointed by this because it sounded to similar to No Scrubs but to me Mariah adds a whole other level to this song that TLC could never complete.

Heartbreaker Remix (9.5/10) and Vulnerability Interlude (9/10): The Heartbreaker Remix is one action packed song. This song, not necessarily a remix, is one of Mariah's tightest remixes she has ever produced. Her vocals are incredible and Da Brat and Missy Elliot just add to the fun! After this song, an interlude begins which loops into her cover of Phil Collins "Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now)." I fell in love with the interlude when I first heard it back in November. Her vocals are really amazing hitting the notes like it takes no work.

Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now) (10/10) and Crybaby (9/10): Against All Odds is one over-powering song. I didn't care for Phil's version but Mariah's cover brings a whole other level. This song is Mariah's third single in Asia and parts of Europe and there is no doubt in my mind that it will go to #1 in those countries. At the end of the song, Mariah delivers spine-tingleing notes that just puts the listener in awe. Crybaby, is another incredible song from Mariah. This song is my 2cd favorite RnB song she has ever created. Snoop adds a fun feel to this ghetto-like song. This is sure to be a large hit in the RnB/hip-hop community.

Did I Do That? (7.5/10) and Petals (10/10): Did I Do That? Is my least favorite song off of Rainbow. However, I do like it very much so. One thing that dampened this song from the others on this LP was that of Master P's yelping or whatever it is. I think this song would have been much better off without him. Petals on the other hand, is a very deep song for me. Its extremely touching and beautiful. The thunderstorm in the background adds a whole level of meaning to it.

Rainbow Interlude (10/10) and Thank God I Found You (9/10): Once Petals is over, it loops into the Rainbow Interlude, which is another beautiful tune. Not really an interlude, its more of a song. Mariah said she didn't have enough time to write the full thing but only had time to make an interlude. I can only hope that she includes the full song in the Can't Take That Away maxi single. Once over, the beautiful ballad, Thank God I Found You begins. Mariah ended out the album with a smash. This is one of my favorite songs on this CD and is due to become a great wedding hit.

Since I am a huge fan of Mariah with 25 albums/singles, she ceases to amaze me with her incredible talent. Her vocals are so incredible in this CD that one can only think what a God given talent she has. Not only does she have talent, but she has an incredible heart. Her songs are so uplifting and have helped me very much so. I am so very thankful for my Hero and I look forward to when she will put out another album this fall.


Overall, a ho-hum CD   November 21, 1999
 13 out of 17 found this review helpful

I'm not going to give this 5 stars, nor am I giving it 1, because it deserves 3 stars, or "in-betweeen". If you're a die-hard Mariah fan, go ahead and buy Rainbow, but if you're just getting into her music or aren't sure if you like her style, maybe this album isn't for you. Songs like "Petals", "Thank God I Found You", and "Mariah's Theme" are well written, touching, and well vocalized. "Heartbreaker" and "After Tonight" are destined to become radio hits. But "Bliss" and some of the other songs on the CD make Mariah sound like she's trying way to hard. Her voice sounds stretched, strained, and piercing, not melodious and soft like you're using to hearing from Mariah. I was also disappointed at the rappy sound to this CD.....I have nothing against rap music, but it's not my thing, and I like Mariah's pop side better. The collaborations with artists like Snoop Dogg, Jay-Z, da Brat, and Missy Elliot make the CD two-toned, which isn't exactly a bad thing if you happen to liek both pop and rap. Oh, and, Mariah, PUT SOME CLOTHES ON! It's possible to sell a Cd without being so.....well.....you get the point. Mariah's music is awesome, and the CD was definitely worth it, but be aware that Rainbow is wuite different from Mariah's other recent albums.