Mariah Carey | Mariah Carey (1990)

[Deleted]

Mariah's debut album, released in 1990. She wrote every song on it, and four of the songs that made the album were from her original demo tape.

11 weeks at #1 on the Billboard 200
Best selling album of 1991 in the US
9x Platinum
4 #1 Hot 100 singles
Best New Artist Grammy
Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for "Vision of Love"

Fun fact: When she was originally in talks with Warner, they wanted to release "Alone In Love" from her demo as her debut single and tie it in with the film Stand and Deliver. Doubt that would have had the same impact as "Vision of Love".

This is an incredibly strong debut album. Almost every song on it could have been a radio hit in 1990-1991. The production understandably sounds dated and overly polished 24 years later, but the songs are all top notch pop songs.

[#LisaRinna]

One of the best debut albums ever.

[Deleted]

This is probably her best album, imo, after Butterfly and TEOM.

[Dreams]

Not only does this stand as my favorite album she has done, it's one of the select few albums where I consider every single track to be perfect. You know how you're listening to an album, and while you're loving all the songs, there's still little things here and there you would change. That's not the case with this album for me. I've always said that if I were Tommy I would've milked the hell out of this era; more singles, more promotion, (especially overseas, where the album did well, but didn't really launch her to superstardom) and a tour.

[Glove Slap]

Incredible debut, and one of the best ever. I personally prefer Butterfly and Daydream, but I don't think she ever came close to making such a "tight" album again. Not a single second is wasted.

It's based a lot on Whitney Houston's debut and George Michael's Faith, but it kicks things up a notch with the benefit of hindsight on those two. Despite some of the songs coming from her demo tape, this album spent all of 1989 and then some in production and development. Very little about it feels much like a debut, that's how well formed it is. And this is before you realize that the person singing these songs is only 19. Mottola and his people made sure that this was more than just a new artist, it was to signal the arrival of a true force. And that's exactly what happened.

[crystalphnx]

May 24, 2014 9:59:19 GMT -5 @jazzysoul47 said:

Fun fact: When she was originally in talks with Warner, they wanted to release "Alone In Love" from her demo as her debut single and tie it in with the film Stand and Deliver. Doubt that would have had the same impact as "Vision of Love".

oooh...interesting. I'd never heard that before! many thanks for the factoid. :)

along the same lines, I know that LTT was added to the album at the very last second (after some booklets/back covers were already printed without it listed), so has anyone read/heard anything about what their plan was for the single releases before LTT was added? based on the above tidbit, I wonder if "Alone In Love" was still slated to be one of the later singles...or maybe they were planning to give "There's Got To Be A Way" a full international release (including the States)?

[HolidayGuy]

I'd say it's still my favorite album of hers. There isn't a song on it that I don't like- my least favorite probably is "You Need Me," but even that's fun.

The first time I heard "Vision of Love," it was as I flipped to American Top 40. I cannot lie, I thought it was the new Whitney Houston single. Not that it sounded like a carbon copy of Whitney's voice )it didn't), but it was close enough, stylistically, to make me wonder.

[God]

"There's Got to Be a Way", "You Need Me" and "Sent from Up Above" drag this down for me but I'd still place it in my top five Mariah albums.

[Deleted]

I've only heard the most popular songs from this album, but this thread has got me wanting to check out the full thing. Possible review pending if that happens

[Me. I Am l!nk!nfan815...]

I could listen to this album on repeat all day. I love it!

[Ginger Spice]

What a great debut.

[die Lotterie]

Such a perfect album. "Vision Of Love" is obviously a classic, but "All In Your Mind" is probably my most visited track at this point in time.

[Deleted]

I just listened to this album for the first time last night, and I loved it.

Vision of Love, Alone In Love, Love Takes Time,I Don't Wanna Cry and Vanishing are amazing.

Despite all the cheesiness, there's something I really like about "You Need Me."

The only song I didn't care for was "Prisoner," but even it's pretty good. Truly not a weak song here, and her vocals and production are truly great as well.

Her vocals are the definition of effortless, and that's my favorite kind of diva.

I found myself more amazed with her vocals as the album went on, and that's not a compliment I give easily, since Whitney, Celine, etc are my standard for Pop music.

I'd never heard "Vanishing" before, but f*** HER VOICE. Insane.

Anyway...amazing album, I'll be getting this eventually.

[Deleted]

One of the RARE occasions you have a singer- songwriter , walk in and sound like someone who has been doing this for years and years. She walked into the scene and her first song was classic, her voice was out of this world and songs she wrote as teenager were featured and went on to become major hits.

Most artists are a tad embarrassed of their debut albums, not in this case. It signified a force she was going to be a MUSICAL FORCE, 25 years later they still talking about her on foolish, message boards.

You didnt have to overproduce, they didnt need to dress it up with bells and whistles, no stories needed to be planted in the media "Lina Morgana's" and all of that other needless s**t, just a woman with a pen, a voice and mic.

[Caviar]

One of the best debut albums I've ever heard and every song is good. But by FARRRRRRRRRRR my favorite song of hers is "Vanishing". It's the best thing she's ever written.

[Wave.]

Love Takes Time >>

[Zeebz]

This is a really strong album, and it's incredible to think it's her debut.

I can listen to it without wanting to skip any song on it, they're all just that good. It may not be my favorite Mariah album (that would be Emotions or Daydream) but it's a close third.

"Vision Of Love", "Someday", "Sent From Up Above", and "Love Takes Time" are my favorites.

[Deleted]

I've been listening to this more and like it now more than I ever did. I love pretty much everything except "You Need Me" and "Sent Up From Above". My favorites are "All In Your Mind", "Someday", "Prisoner" and "I Don't Wanna Cry".

[Ling-Ling]

Wow at these rapturous reviews. I wish I was that enthused, I think there's definitely some weak stuff on here. But I do agree, in 1990, this was an incredible debut album. Like she had been doing this sh*t for a decade. This was actually my first tape. I was nine when "Vision Of Love" came out and the second I heard it on the radio I was obsessed. I remember begging my mom to buy it for me.

First, the singles... "Vision Of Love," "Love Takes Time" and "I Don't Wanna Cry" are amazing. I can still listen to those like they came out yesterday. "Someday" is still super cute, but hasn't held up as well as those. "Vanishing" is gorgeous, I love the verses on that one, superb vocal. And "Sent From Up Above" is another one of those forgotten album tracks that deserves more love, such a smooth groove and so refreshing compared to the dated uptempos that surround it.

Speaking of those dated uptempos... "You Need Me," Jesus. I can't with this one, horrible. "Prisoner" on the flip side is dated as hell, but is still able to maintain it's charm. Those raps, lmao. "There's Got To Be A Way" is cheese, I never want to hear it again. There are parts of "All In Your Mind" I like but the overall song, no. And "Alone In Love" is the weakest ballad on the album.

It's a solid debut album. But time has kind of taken a beating to it.

[🇯🇲 lucy88 🇯🇲]

It's vocally her best album and pretty underated like Emotions. The techniques she used were incredible and unmatched! Alone In Love is my favorite.

[Fat Ass Kelly Price]

I disagree that it's vocally her best album. However, it's a strong debut. Time has made a few cuts more of a chore to listen to (TGTBAW), but it's always nice to put on.

[🇯🇲 lucy88 🇯🇲]

Jul 21, 2017 17:41:53 GMT -5 Fat Ass Kelly Price said:

I disagree that it's vocally her best album. However, it's a strong debut. Time has made a few cuts more of a chore to listen to (TGTBAW), but it's always nice to put on.

I just think her vocals were at its strongest point, IMO. It sounded more fresh and smooth. The techniques that she used in All In Your Mind were just impressive. She sounded like an actual bird singing. I guess her vocals on her debut and Emotions had more of a gospel/church feel to it why I felt so blown away. I actually love her gospel/soul/rnb songs the best.

[jenglisbe]

I posted this in the main Mariah thread, but I'll add it here, too.



I know some people find this album to be 'dated,' but I'm not someone who is bothered by something sounding like its era. While the production has a lot of late 80s/early 90s sounds, the songwriting is reminiscent of classic R&B (with a few modern touches). For my money there isn't a bad song on this album, and more so there are a few career highlights. I'm glad to revisit it because it's an album I haven't listened to in awhile, but it's easily one of her most consistent albums in terms of quality.

"Vision of Love" - It's appropriate this is literally the first track on a Mariah album. The sci-fi opening is one of the best intros to a song of hers. I love how the vocal builds to that whistle note, and of course Mariah duetting with herself on the song is ridiculously good. The lyrics about overcoming adversity would become a recurring theme for her, and it's done really well here because while we know she's singing about getting a record deal, it could easily be her singing to a lover or even God. In terms of the production, it's 50s doo wop brought to a current place.
By the way, you can read my article on the major influence "VOL" has had here:
est1997.com/music/mariah-careys-vision-of-love-at-25-is-the-most-influential-vocal-performance-of-all-time/

"There's Got To Be A Way" - Like many of the songs on this album, the production is very much of its time (this could easily go on an 80s Taylor Dayne or even Michael Jackson album). I love that style, so to me it has its charms (the various synth sounds work here), and this is one of the very few times Mariah would address social or political issues in her lyrics. The gospel choir is used really well. In terms of the writing, right away we see Mariah's habit (and talent) for writing b-sections ("Some of us don't even wonder..."). She does them as good as anyone in the game.

"I Don't Wanna Cry" - We know this isn't a favorite of Mariah's, but that's a shame because it's a mature, beautiful ballad. It's really well-written in terms of the lyric and the melody, and the use of Mariah's lower register is really effective. Mariah would return to the Latin influence on "My All" and a few other songs, but this track still stands out in her catalog.

"Someday" - This is another gem of a song that I wish Mariah liked more. The melody is killer, and considering the breakdown, this is a song that could easily be reconfigured into several styles. It's one of the few Mariah songs where she isn't longing for a man, and the new jack swing element makes it one of the very few true uptempo songs on a Mariah album. There are several versions of this one (the album version, the video version, the radio edit) but all are strong.

"Vanishing" - This is one of the few songs Mariah has produced by herself, and we know she used only the piano so the song stands in contrast to what Mariah saw as over-production on the rest of the album. Smart move. Mariah's voice obviously stands out on what is a fan favorite album cut.

"All in Your Mind" - The high notes on this one actually distract me from what is otherwise a solid song; something about the high notes sound grating to me. The general vocal is killer, though, like the entire album. Production-wise, I hear a light 'island' (even reggae?) vibe. The debut had so many different stylistic influences.

"Alone In Love" - This is another song that shows how Mariah plays with song structure. This song is unique in that it starts with the chorus, but also how the chorus is sung more subtly than the verses. I love it because emotionally it makes sense; she is sort of freaking out in the verses, and then she has her moment of quiet solitude during the chorus. Plus, this one has a great build to the bridge. There are also some interesting production touches. I know Mariah finds this album 'over produced,' but to me the various production choices lend the album some diversity.

"You Need Me" - The debut is probably underrated a bit in terms of the sounds that were used. Here we get one of the very few Mariah songs that feature an electric guitar, so that alone makes this track unique. Mariah gives us a more gritty vocal than usual, too. Listening to this also makes me miss the huge climaxes we used to get in Mariah songs.

"Sent From Up Above" - The production on this one is interesting to me because the beat is a nice shuffle (and almost disco), but it's mixed in a way that makes the song feel more like a ballad than it should. This one makes nice use of layered vocals, something we would get more of from her as she got more control of her albums.

"Prisoner" - This track is often seen as cheesy because of the rap, but it's actually a cool track in general (and Kelly Clarkson's "Medicine" off her new album actually sounds a lot like this one). It's interesting how much attitude Mariah had on her debut considering after this album we'd go for years without getting many songs where she really takes it to her romantic partner.

"Love Takes Time" - This was the first indication that Mariah could easily knock out an AC ballad. We also get some lighter vocals on the verses, with fuller vocals on the chorus. That style would of course become a trademark for her. More than anything, though, we get a classic bridge! There is palpable emotion in the way Mariah sings the bridge on this one, and it's one of the best in her catalog to me.

Bonus track - "Weakness of the Body" - A demo for Brenda K Starr, this track is close to the production style of some of the songs on the debut so I thought I'd mention it here. It's cheesier than most of the songs on her debut, but I love cheesy 80s music. It's also a great example of Mariah's vocal charisma.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIBZ9Cul2X8

[#LisaRinna]

The fact that she was a teenager writing and recording some of her career highlights is mindblowing.

[jenglisbe]

[Deleted]

I'd love to see them re-release this next year for the 30th anniversary and get the diamond certification. Get those demos back and remaster the original tracks..

[#LisaRinna]

"Vanishing" has meant so much to me lately I can't even know what to say >>

:'(

[jenglisbe]

Mar 2, 2019 9:57:44 GMT -5 @jazzysoul47 said:

I'd love to see them re-release this next year for the 30th anniversary and get the diamond certification. Get those demos back and remaster the original tracks..

The fact that Mariah is willing to acknowledge the anniversary of Merry Christmas this year gives me hope something like this could happen next year.

The other part of that is Sony being willing to do the certs. She has plenty of stuff eligible right now they aren’t doing anything about.

[Deleted]

[🇯🇲 lucy88 🇯🇲]

Happy 30th! "Vision of Love", "Love Takes Time", and "I Don't Wanna Cry" were a huge part of my childhood.