MiniMusic
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Post by MiniMusic on Apr 21, 2014 22:27:08 GMT -5
This album is so beyond underrated. The melodies on this album are amazing and her voice sounds great; although, I will agree the whispery vocals shouldn't have been so prominent on the album but they sound good and when she belts at certain points in the songs she sounds amazing. AMAZING songs: Yours Clown My Saving Grace Lullaby Subtle Invitation Sunflowers for Alfred Roy GREAT songs: Through the Rain Boy (I Need You) You Had Your Chance Bringin on the Heartbreak You Got Me and I Only Wanted are good songs but sound like a rip off of songs she have done before. I think had a song like "Lullaby" been sung in a full voice, along with "Clown" or "You Had Your Chance" people would love this album more but I stand by the fact that most of the album is strong melodically and the production is light but great. The ending vocals to "Subtle Invitation" and "Clown" give me LIFE. I think Invitation may be one of her best songs. The bridge is flawless, the chorus is too catchy, the great jazz production and of course the shouting at the end "IF YOU REALLY NEED ME...REEEEEACH. IF SHE HURTS YOU- SHE'S A DEVIL- ALL YOU GOTTA DO IS CALL ME! YAAAAS!" It gives me total life. As does Clown with "Tell me who's gonna love you? Who? I'd like to know... who'd still be there? NOBODY NOBODY OH THERE AIN'T NOBODY BAYBAY!" People you are SLEEPING on this great project.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 21, 2014 23:14:08 GMT -5
I can see making a case for Glitter being a slept on album but Charmbracelet is her worst album ever imo. It barely even feels like a Mariah record to me, it just seems like any random run of the mill R&B debut CD. It's not BAD, but it's all so stale and bland and just like background music.
Her voice is quite literally in tatters throughout this record imo. The melodies are pretty but the only songs worth anything imo are Subtle Invitation and Yours. The rest is only nice for the 2002 nostalgia.
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Ginger Spice
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Post by Ginger Spice on Apr 22, 2014 1:06:37 GMT -5
I'm not a big fan of the album as a whole, but I do love Through the Rain, Clown, and Sunflowers for Alfred Roy. I think I enjoyed Subtle Invitation and Lullaby too, but I can't even remember what they sound like at the moment.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 26, 2014 6:42:54 GMT -5
Actuallz, of all the albums by Mariah, this is the one I pick up the most to listen to
Lullaby is a MASTERPIECE! Maybe the fact that THE ROOF is one of my top 3 Mimi songs explains it ...
I also like so much: Clown You had your chance
I like Bringin' on the heartbreak
Other songs are ok... with preference to I only wanted & Boy
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 27, 2014 12:31:24 GMT -5
Easily her worst album. The songs were bland; her vocals were weak; the sound quality is terrible. It has some of her best lyrics though.
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#LisaRinna
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Post by #LisaRinna on Apr 28, 2014 5:57:16 GMT -5
Some of her best songwriting is on this album and it gets overlooked because of bad vocal production and mastering. That's why this album is underrated.
GEMS: I Only Wanted You Got Me My Saving Grace The One Irresistible Subtle Invitation
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Caviar
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Post by Caviar on Jun 30, 2014 15:55:53 GMT -5
Easily one of her best albums in the 00s and lyrically it's one of her best. She may not have sounded like 90s Mariah but the songwriting and melodies were on point. I actually prefer this album to TOEM.
Yours Clown My Saving Grace Subtle Invitation I Only Wanted Lullaby Sunflowers for Alfred Roy Bringing On The Heartbreak
A+!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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#LisaRinna
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Post by #LisaRinna on Jun 30, 2014 18:58:17 GMT -5
'Yours' could have been about Dembabies (with some editing) ;)
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firefly
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Post by firefly on May 17, 2015 2:49:01 GMT -5
I like this album and I don't know why it gets so much hate. It's easily better than Glitter and Memoirs. Her lyrics are on point here. Favorites: Lullaby Subtle Invitation I Only Wanted Bringin' On The Heartbreak (her best cover IMO) I like Boy (I Need You) and Through The Rain too.
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Glove Slap
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Post by Glove Slap on May 23, 2015 2:50:42 GMT -5
This is easily her worst album. There's some potential here, but her voice is in sherds for most of this album, and that s**tty Capri equipment makes it even worse. She plummeted in quality pretty fast and steep considering how high she was riding just 5 years before this.
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Gekkouga
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Post by Gekkouga on May 23, 2015 12:13:18 GMT -5
This album is a 50/50 for me: I hate many songs on there (Boy, The One, Clown, Through the Rain, You Got Me) but I absolutely love others (LULLABY!!, Subtle Invitation, Irresistible, Sunflowers for Alfred Roy, My Saving Grace).
Lullaby is easily in my Top 10 mimi songs. I love how it's related to Long Ago & The Roof.
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divasummer
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Post by divasummer on Jan 28, 2016 21:13:17 GMT -5
This album is strange for me. I can only take a few songs at a time. "I Only Wanted" is one of my favorites by her. "Clown's" pretty clever. I like the melody of it as well. I guess her softer vocals on a lot of these tracks make for a lot of them not standing out to. I think it's that most of the songs aren't bad but just blend in to much. It's probably good for back ground music. I remember when “Through The Rain” debuted not loving it due to then whisper vocals. I got over it and ended up loving it. “The One” is great but it took me a second to get into but I instantly liked the remix. I appreciate it now more than I did back then and I remember thinking if some songs were edited a bit it may have helped some.
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Ling-Ling
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Post by Ling-Ling on Jan 5, 2017 8:43:58 GMT -5
I can't believe I'm going to say all of this, but if there is a Mariah album that time has been incredibly kind to, it's this one. I've always ranked this as her worst, but almost 15 years removed from it's original release, I love it. I think it's one of her most consistent works tbh.
I think at the time, it was marred by the fact that she had obviously had a vocal decline and the fact that it's so laid back (the single choices didn't help and that cover... WOOF). Nothing really jumps out in your face as classic Mariah. But as bad as I remember her vocals sounding back then, listening now, she doesn't sound terrible at all. She definitely undersings on some tracks and a few songs would have been better with full voice, but she never sounds bad and all of the songs that peak with her belting, she sounds fine IMO. And her writing is really strong on this. I think the fact that the production was all rather laid back and simple, helped keep it from dating badly. There are songs on her last few albums that already sound more dated than this.
"Through The Rain," is definitely a by the numbers inspirational Mariah track, you can only go back to that well so many times, but it's perfectly listenable and the melody is pretty. Even the chintzy "Boy (I Need You)," (which I've always ranked as one of her bottom five singles) over a decade removed from that derivative/lame sample usage, is a cute bop now. "Subtle Invitation" and "Lullaby" are some of the sexiest tracks she's ever made. "Irresistible" is such a laidback summer jam. "Bringin' On The Heartbreak" would have been better with fuller vocals, but it's still good. "The One" is classic Dupri/Carey. "Clown" was always one of my favs on this and it's still good, I love that it's a complete diss track, but it's so chill. "You Got Me" and "You Had Your Chance," though unremarkable, are both jams (especially "YGM"). "My Saving Grace" is gorgeous IMO. "I Only Wanted" is a solid ballad. "Sunflowers" is so pretty. And "Yours" is just a great love groove. I seriously don't hate a song on it... WTF.
I would highly encourage people to revisit this. To drop all of their bad memories and preconceived notions that her voice is shredded, the production is terrible, etc. Just put it on and chill. Because it's really solid, way more consistent than E=MC2, Rainbow and Music Box IMO (although the highlights are clearly not as high). Definitely an album worthy of a reevaluation.
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Dammn Baby
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Post by Dammn Baby on Jan 5, 2017 19:04:50 GMT -5
You Got Me was always my JAM.
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Caviar
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Post by Caviar on May 3, 2017 8:54:11 GMT -5
I would highly encourage people to revisit this. To drop all of their bad memories and preconceived notions that her voice is shredded, the production is terrible, etc. Just put it on and chill. Because it's really solid, way more consistent than E=MC2, Rainbow and Music Box IMO (although the highlights are clearly not as high). Definitely an album worthy of a reevaluation. I've been saying this since 2003 yet no one here will listen. Great explanation on WHY this album is timeless and underrated.
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Post by 🇯🇲 lucy88 🇯🇲 on Jul 22, 2017 8:31:52 GMT -5
I like this album and I don't know why it gets so much hate. It's easily better than Glitter and Memoirs. Her lyrics are on point here. Favorites: Lullaby Subtle Invitation I Only Wanted Bringin' On The Heartbreak (her best cover IMO) I like Boy (I Need You) and Through The Rain too. I used to think it was her worst album til I gave it a try. I guess I wasn't used to her vocals being so toned down, but my favorites are My Saving Grace, The One, and Irresistible. The album actually feels like a precursor to TEOM. I agree that it's so much better than Glitter and Memoirs!
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NeRD
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Post by NeRD on Aug 15, 2017 10:20:29 GMT -5
Underrated.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 15, 2017 10:47:18 GMT -5
Actuallz, of all the albums by Mariah, this is the one I pick up the most to listen to Lullaby is a MASTERPIECE! Maybe the fact that THE ROOF is one of my top 3 Mimi songs explains it ... I also like so much: Clown You had your chance I like Bringin' on the heartbreak Other songs are ok... with preference to I only wanted & Boy what I said 3 years ago still stands though I do listen to - often - her earlier albums like Music box & 1st
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Zinc.
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Post by Zinc. on Sept 20, 2017 10:50:23 GMT -5
Underrated gem
Yours> Clown> The One> Subtle Invitation>
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Post by Mayman on May 2, 2020 16:30:06 GMT -5
Currently #5 on iTunes!
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Dreams
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Post by Dreams on May 2, 2020 16:41:40 GMT -5
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Me. I Am l!nk!nfan815...
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Post by Me. I Am l!nk!nfan815... on May 2, 2020 17:13:57 GMT -5
Saw her sing this live when she came to Hollywood FL for the Angels Advocate tour. She sang the crap out of the song, amazing.
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back2blk
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Post by back2blk on Feb 24, 2021 0:52:29 GMT -5
I like this album, I don't care if it's flawed. To me, when this came out, it told me that she was going to be okay after the "meltdown". And it was so heavy R&B leaning that I think it paved the way for TEOM.
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bat1990
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Post by bat1990 on Aug 12, 2022 7:57:41 GMT -5
The was yesterday's album in my one-album-per-day project.
I listened while doing dishes and then taking a bath - "Clown," "Lullaby," and "You Had Your Chance" hit so well in a bubble bath, it felt like a music video.
My brain always runs through how the single campaign could've been different. I settled on the following:
1. Through The Rain/Through The Rain (Remix w/ Joe & Kelly Price) - the remix was not pushed hard enough at Urban, Rhythmic, and R&B from what I remember which could've helped its radio performance. Perhaps the original should have been pushed at AC/HAC first and then sent to pop 4-6 weeks later to maximize radio 2. Lullaby w/ a hot video for Pop/Rhythmic/Urban/R&B 3. I Know What You Want; I Only Wanted for HAC/AC/Latin 4. The One in the US; Bringin' on the Heartbreak abroad
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jenglisbe
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Post by jenglisbe on Nov 2, 2022 20:13:34 GMT -5
The was yesterday's album in my one-album-per-day project. I listened while doing dishes and then taking a bath - "Clown," "Lullaby," and "You Had Your Chance" hit so well in a bubble bath, it felt like a music video. My brain always runs through how the single campaign could've been different. I settled on the following: 1. Through The Rain/Through The Rain (Remix w/ Joe & Kelly Price) - the remix was not pushed hard enough at Urban, Rhythmic, and R&B from what I remember which could've helped its radio performance. Perhaps the original should have been pushed at AC/HAC first and then sent to pop 4-6 weeks later to maximize radio 2. Lullaby w/ a hot video for Pop/Rhythmic/Urban/R&B 3. I Know What You Want; I Only Wanted for HAC/AC/Latin 4. The One in the US; Bringin' on the Heartbreak abroad It was a confusing promo campaign. While I understand pushing "TTR" as a comeback song that (very vaguely) addresses her breakdown, the reality is AC ballads were no longer commercially viable. Plus, "TTR" was really misrepresentative of the album since there were no other 'inspirational songs' like it except for "My Saving Grace." So, they really either needed to push it as a real I Look To You/Whitney type moment, or almost ignore the breakdown and just push it as a new commercially viable project (though obviously press was going to ask about things). Or maybe a dual first single; one for the AC crowd and one for the Top 40/R&B crowd?
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bat1990
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Post by bat1990 on Nov 3, 2022 7:15:56 GMT -5
The was yesterday's album in my one-album-per-day project. I listened while doing dishes and then taking a bath - "Clown," "Lullaby," and "You Had Your Chance" hit so well in a bubble bath, it felt like a music video. My brain always runs through how the single campaign could've been different. I settled on the following: 1. Through The Rain/Through The Rain (Remix w/ Joe & Kelly Price) - the remix was not pushed hard enough at Urban, Rhythmic, and R&B from what I remember which could've helped its radio performance. Perhaps the original should have been pushed at AC/HAC first and then sent to pop 4-6 weeks later to maximize radio 2. Lullaby w/ a hot video for Pop/Rhythmic/Urban/R&B 3. I Know What You Want; I Only Wanted for HAC/AC/Latin 4. The One in the US; Bringin' on the Heartbreak abroad It was a confusing promo campaign. While I understand pushing "TTR" as a comeback song that (very vaguely) addresses her breakdown, the reality is AC ballads were no longer commercially viable. Plus, "TTR" was really misrepresentative of the album since there were no other 'inspirational songs' like it except for "My Saving Grace." So, they really either needed to push it as a real I Look To You/Whitney type moment, or almost ignore the breakdown and just push it as a new commercially viable project (though obviously press was going to ask about things). Or maybe a dual first single; one for the AC crowd and one for the Top 40/R&B crowd? Another idea I had after reading your reply: a Tamia "Stranger in My House" scenario where the HQ2 Radio Edit was promoted to Pop & Rhythmic along with the original. Heck R&B was big enough at the time, they could've sent all three versions and recommended Pop and Rhythmic stations play whichever one tested best with their audiences.
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jenglisbe
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Post by jenglisbe on Nov 19, 2022 20:53:09 GMT -5
Somehow I got "Bringin' on the Heartbreak" stuck in my head. I then had my usual thought of how it would be even better if Mariah sang more of it in full voice. I then remembered Mariah writing something in her memoir about the airy voice going back to childhood and being a way she sung to herself (I'll have to look for the specific quote unless someone remembers it). For some reason I then saw Charmbracelet in a whole new way. That album was made at the lowest point in her professional life (and maybe lowest point in her personal life). It makes emotional sense she would go into the airy singing. It was also probably her lowest point vocally on a record. Additionally, a lot of the songs are about how Luis and Eminem treated her poorly when she really needed someone (see I Only Wanted, You Had Your Chance, Clown, Bringin' on the Heartbreak. Subtle Invitation). The album is then interspersed with Mariah doing what she's always been able to do; focus on her strength to get through it (Through the Rain and My Saving Grace, of course, but to some degree The One could be seen as being about 'God'). It's providing me a new way to listen to the album as I can now see it as a document for where she was at a specific point in her life.
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bjordan
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Post by bjordan on Dec 25, 2022 16:07:18 GMT -5
My favorite tracks are the hip hop leaning tracks like: Irresistible & Boy I Need U.
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lol
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Post by lol on Dec 20, 2023 18:56:41 GMT -5
This is my favourite album by Mariah and I stand on it!
I adore the cover (someone in here really said woof?) as well as the CD booklet pictures, the sound; just the subtle demureness of it all. I love the subdued vocals.
To some of the backhanded compliments in this thread: it is a Mariah record through and through and a necessary part of her catalogue.
It is not an album intended to fulfil label obligations, or recapture the charts, or embody a particular genre or sound; all of which you could make an argument for with her other albums. At that point of her career she had the mind to record music she just truly wanted to make. And you can hear it.
“Failing to understand Charmbracelet is failing to understand the true Mariah Carey”. Heard that elsewhere & I’m stealing it because it’s true and it should really catch on!
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Post by JessieLou on Jan 28, 2024 23:05:54 GMT -5
I've been a Mariah fan my entire life but I always had a hard time getting into this album :(
I did like the singles though, especially Through The Rain.
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