1.through the rain: a ballad written by the songstress and showcases her amazing voice.

2. boy (i need you: a nice funky song that samples cam'rons summer hit oh boy in a good way.

3. The one: Mariah and JD did one hell of a job on this stunning song, the lyrics, the music, the singing; you name it this song has it.

4. Yours: a beautiful catchy ballad which has the same feeling of thank god i found. straight up hit.

5.You Got Me feat. Jay-Z and Freeway: simply great. the song is a one the albums highlights, it has a good beat to it.

6. I Only Wanted: no matter how much i praise this song it will be an underestimation for it is sooooooooo beautiful. sorry but i can't be objective about it. a Mariah calssic with spanish guitar and the sound of the shore it has the same feeling of My all and after tonight (maybe more mature) a #1 if ever released.

7. clown: a nice hip hop song that artistically smashes eminem's face.

8. My Saving Grace: a gospel masterpeice which we haven't heard from Mariah since anytime you need a friend. straight from the heart (if you cry easily don't listen to it in public)

9. You Had Your Chance: nice hip hop song, has good base it will make you want to get your groove on.

10. Lullaby: a song very close to the roof from the butterfly album, sexy, infctious song. my favorite.

11. Irresistible (Westside Connection): features Ashanti, a great song again modern hip hop is here but it doesn't hurt.

12. Subtle Invitation: a soulful down-to-earth song that has a definet Stevie wonder feeling to it. jazzy upbeat.

13. Bringin' On The Heartbreak: a cover of def leppard's hit, need i say more? ok it's great.

14. Sunflowers For Alfred Roy: beautiful elegy dedicated to her late father very intense and emotional.

15. Through The Rain (Remix) feat. Kelly Price and Joe: a beautiful r'n'b remix very well produced and the choice of guest artits couldn't be more appropriate.

a great album will be enjoyed by everybody it's directed to all styles pop, adult contmporary, r'n'b, jazz and even rock! a must have in any decent music library.


Return To Form   December 4, 2002
J. M. Zuurbier (Canada)
34 out of 41 found this review helpful

2001 was not Mariah's year. It started in an upbeat mood when she signed an $100 million dollar contract with Virgin Records. Her first movie, GLITTER, tanked at the box office. The soundtrack failed to present any huge hits or the sales that the label desired. She was payed out of her contract and let go. In between it all, Mariah suffered from personal problems, breakdowns, and more.

On CHARMBRACELET, Mariah lets us into her world, and offers up what might be her most personal offering yet. The album opens with the first single "Through The Rain", a fitting choice knowing what she has been through. It is an inspiring song of hope and determination, realizing you have the strength to make it through the rain and face another day. It's a classic Mariah ballad, in a similar vein of her past hits "Hero" and "Can't Take That Away". I was not sure what to expect with this album, but I am not too disapointed in it. Once again she has the collaborations, however thankfully there are not as many on here as on her past albums like GLITTER or RAINBOW. Cam'ron joins Mariah on the bouncy "Boy (I Need You)", Jay-Z and Freeway join her on "You Got Me", West Side Connection on "Irresistible", and Kelly Price & Joe on the "Through The Rain" Remix.

The strength of the album lies in the ballads, which are very personal. "I Only Wanted" is one of my favorites, it looks in retrospect at a relationship and the promises made, wishing the outcome was different. A sentiment and experience I'm sure many people have been through in their own lives, I know I have. "My Saving Grace" is a nice uplifting ballad, with excellent vocals from Mariah. She does another cover song here as well, on "Bringin' On The Heartbreak", originally done by Def Leppard. "Clown" is rumored to be about her brief relationship with Eminem, its definately a tongue in cheek song full of attitude.

Perhaps the saddest, most personal moment on the album lies in the song "Sunflowers for Alfred Roy", a song she sings about her father who passed away earlier this year. According to Mariah, she only sang this song once through. "Lullaby" and "Subtle Invitation" are upbeat funky numbers fans are sure to love. My only complaints are, the collaborations, once again not necessary, and the high level she is singing at. She is singing even higher than she did on RAINBOW, and at times it sounds strained and its hard to hear what she is trying to convey, but at times it does work.

Overall, whether or not this album performs well commercially is not the question. Mariah has returned to form on this CD, by singing and writing from the heart. That is the greatest reward, and the fact she is sharing this with her listeners.


Mariah is here!   November 9, 2003
Marleo Davis (Springfield, IL USA)
9 out of 9 found this review helpful

1. Through The Rain - Great song. Expresses the srong points of Mariah's writing abilities.
2. Boy (I Need You)- Very catchy song. Not one of my favorite Mariah songs, but ok.
3. The One - Good song. She works well with Jermaine. She shows a different singing style in this song. She uses all the registers in her voice to perfection.
4. Yours - I would have loved to hear the version with Justin as well. But, of course MC pulled it together herself.
5. You Got Me - Another very catchy song. Love the extra "kiddy" vocals.
6. I Only Wanted - This is Mariah. She really knows how to touch you.
7. Clown - Truthfully, I laughed the first time I heard this song. Go mc! heh!
8. My Saving Grace - I'm hoping this is the next single. She delivers this song with such power. For some reason, the structure of this song reminds me of "Outside" from Mariah's Butterfly albumn. Love it!!
9. You Had Your Chance - Didn't really dig this song.
10. Lullaby - FABULOUS! Definately one of my favs. Great melody.
11. Irresistible - I really don't like this song. Sorry Mariah. I can't even listen to the entire thing.
12. Subtle Invitation - WONDERFUL!! I think this is my favorite song on the albumn. Mariah- you do very well with jazzy instruments. This song is on my top mariah list.
13. Bringin' On The Hearbreak - Great remake. She does a great collaboration with the guitarist.
14. Sunflowers For Alfred Roy -Nice dedication. Reminds me of the Rainbow Interlude from Mariah's Rainbow Album.
15. Through The Rainbow (Remix)- Very good remix - to perfection.
Mariah never left. She is a huge sucess and will be for years to come. Weather she's writing, singing, producing or directing (not to mention her record lable - monarc) she will always be a ball of talent. Loved Charmbracelet!


"Charmbracelet" - The Best Album of 2002!   December 26, 2002
9 out of 9 found this review helpful

"Charmbracelet" is one of Mariah Carey's best albums to date. When there are 15 tracks on a record and you have 14 favorites (the extra one being the lead single) - you know it's a hit.

There has been too much talk about Mariah's so-called "comeback". This album screams "I've never left and I am here to stay!"
From inception, to the lyrics and melodies, the production and finally the mesmerizing voice - this whole albums is perfection. This album is amazingly consistent, each new track is on par with its predecessor.
Even "small things" like the sequence the tracks were placed on the album and vocal arrangements are perfect.

Mariah's "charms" as she refers to them, take us "Through The Rain" and onto the catchy "Boy (I Need You)" which plays to the beat of a recently popular Cam'ron song, and even features him. A rhymically soothing R&B track fills the air. Then we get other fantastic tunes by a group of producers who need no introduction, such as Jermaine Dupri, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, and American Idol's very own Randy Jackson. Some of the other songs on this CD include a gospel track that stirs your emotion, a latin ballad, a bittersweet ode to her deceased father and even a track recorded with a live band. "Charmbracelet" has it all.

Of course, with keeping the Mariah tradition alive, the best is yet to come. A mid-tempo number that has of late been rumored to be a diss at Eminem, "Clown" has an unmatchable combination of lyrics and a unique singing style, that if performed by any other could never be pulled off. A personal favorite of mine is the dazzling remake to the 1981 hit "Bringin' On The Heartbreak" by none other than Def Leppard. Mariah brings new life to this song with breathtaking vocals, this track is a sure hit.

Bottom line - if you're a fan of GOOD music and/or talented artists - get "Charmbracelet". You won't regret it.


Getting Better With Time   December 15, 2002
TrongTN (California)
9 out of 9 found this review helpful

I'm talking about Mariah herself and this album. My initial listenings yeilded a rather indifferent reaction. At first I didn't care too much for the album, but I didn't hate it. But now, I've listened to it practically a million times, and I have to say Mariah is on a level all her own. The intricate detail in her music makes her that much more of a great artist. I can listen to this album over and over, rarely pushing the skip track button. Its truly a well-written well delivered album. Mariah's vocals are somewhat subdued, but for the type of music she's dabbling in this time, it works very well. Here's a track by track breakdown:

1) Through The Rain - we've all heard this song. Its very inspirational and nothing truly spectacular happens till the bridge and climax. The ending choruses are very dramatic and deliver a touching message of personal strength and perserverence.

2) Boy (I Need You) - this is a song I tend to skip. Its basically the same as Cam'ron's version except with Mariah on vocals. I don't care for Cam'ron, but he doesn't dominate the song like the rappers did on "Glitter". He gets a part in the middle of the song and Mariah festively bounces around the rest.

3) The One - this will be Mariah's second single with good reason. Its a smooth, slick R&B number that finds Mariah sliding around vocally and singing quite quickly to a mid-tempo beat. The piano and bass driven track should be formidable chart contender.

4) Yours - thank god she didn't feature Justin Timberlake. This is a soothing, relaxing song with Mariah breathily cooing along a slow beat and light piano. The hook is very catchy. The chorus wouldn't be out of place on a vintage Janet Jackson track.

5) You Got Me - I tend to skip this track too. The rappers dominate the intro and that just brings the mood way down and makes me not want to listen to it anymore. If you bear the rap, Mariah's part in the song is nothing too special. This track could've been left off the album.

6) I Only Wanted - one of the best ballads on the album. Mariah is a musical genius. She has put together a three-part story of love and loss. From her "Butterfly" album we have "My All" where Mariah asks for one more night with her lover. Then on her "Rainbow" album she gets her night, and then asks if her lover will stay in "After Tonight". And now we find that he left her in "I Only Wanted". Its a ballad in the same vein as "My All". "My All" is a lot more dramatic. The bridging moments here do not find Mariah belting out the words at the top of her lungs. The reservation with the vocals serves to intensify her emotion.

7) Clown - here Mariah slaps Eminem in the face. He's never mentioned by name, but its dead obvious. This is a hard-hitting R&B track where Mariah sings quickly (think "Breakdown") along a mid-tempo beat. The second verse borders on rapping. Its very well written and a shining moment on the album.

8) My Saving Grace - the beginning is very gospel flavored. The verses feature free flowing vocals and Mariah for the first time sings about her race. The ending choruses find Mariah really belting this one out. It too showcases Mariah vocals at their best.

9) You Had Your Chance - JD did good on this album. He also produced "The One". "You Had Your Chance" is a piano, bass and drum driven R&B song with intricate vocal layering and smooth undertones. Mariah is allegedly singing about Tommy Mattola. This too is a very good track.

10) Lullaby - the choruses are kind of weird, but the verses are incredible. Mariah sings airily about meeting a boy and singing him a lullaby instead of just hugging him goodbye. The second verse offers a refreshing moment ("Flash back to so long ago") that serves to renew the interest in the song. This too is a mid-tempo R&B track.

11) Irresistible - Westside Connection is annoying. But the song is great. Mariah samples "This Is How We Do It" and makes the melody into a funky R&B track. This is more upbeat, but still considered mid-tempo. The chorus layering makes Mariah sound more like a force than a single woman. (think "I Still Believe/Pure Imagination")

12) Subtle Invitation - bordering on a jazz number, Mariah fronts an orchestra and a delicate trumpet arrangement. Its smooth and groovy. The details in Mariah's music make her the diva she is today.

13) Bringin' On The Heartbreak - Mariah's turned the rock song into a power ballad. Its not a traditional ballad. Its starts off very subtley but then builds up and up until Mariah is belting over the chorus. Its a highly dramatic well orchestrated cover and towards the end, Mariah hits those statospheric high notes over the chorus and sounds incredible.

14) Sunflowers For Alfred Roy - Mariah only sang this song one time through and that's the version you hear on the album. Its very slow and touching. Its a tear-jerker. Towards the end you can kind of hear Mariah's voice shaking and that only intensifies the emotion. She sounds like she is gonna cry at any moment.

15) Through The Rain [Remix] - This is a more upbeat remix of the first ballad with Kelly Price and Joe. I don't care for it too much. Its not anything too special and the original has more emotion and meaning.