Mariah Carey - Emotions

 "Hypnotizes me/Set's my soul at ease..."
I have to be honest. When I first listened to this album, I was not particularly fond of it. I had to force myself to listen farther than the first couple of tracks, or I would listen for either "Emotions" or "Make it Happen." But one day, out of the blue, I finally realized that this is in fact a great album.

A follow up to her extremely successful debut album, this time Mariah Carey chose to be a little more old-school R&B, as opposed to the more pop-sounding R&B from her last. And while the last album's highlights were mainly slow ballads, this album's highlights are more in the uptempo tracks, such as the title song, "Make it Happen," "To Be Around You," and "You're So Cold." However, she does have some strong ballads on here, such as the #2 hit "Can't Let Go," and "So Blessed."

I can only give this album 4 stars though. Like I said before, I did not end up loving this one right away like I did her past albums. Also, the tracks seem more on a hit-or-miss quality, while all the tracks on her first one were near perfect, and this time around, the album as a whole feels just slightly inferior. But still, any fan of Mariah Carey cannot go wrong with this album, even if you do not fall in love with it right away. March 26, 2008

 If You Loved Her Debut Album......
You'll absolutely love her second album, "Emotions." This album is full of dance and ballad songs, somewhat like her first album, but different.
Here's a review of the album.

1.) Emotions: A great upbeat dance song which kind of reminds me of the Emotions' "Best of Your Love." I love it how Mariah hits the high notes when she sings "and I like the way it feels inside."
2.) And You Don't Remember: A good ballad which is very soothing and relaxing.
3.) Can't Let Go: This is one of my favorite Mariah songs of all time next to "Vision of Love." This song is so beautiful and soulful. I also love when Mariah sings the high notes at the end of the song. So wonderful!
4.) Make it Happen: This song reminds me of an upbeat gospel song. This is a great song with a positive message people can relate to.
5.) If It's Over: The Carole King-written ballad which sounds very deep and soulful.
6.) You're So Cold: A dance song that is very upbeat.
7.) So Blessed: My second favorite ballad off this album. Mariah sounds absolutely soulful and this song is beautiful.
8.) To Be Around You: Another cool dance song that kind of reminds me of "Make it Happen."
9.) Til the End of Time: A nice lovely ballad that is so beautiful
10.) The Wind: A great piano-like ballad to end the album. Mariah sings it so soulful and beautiful.

Once again, if you loved her debut album, you're gonna love her sophomore album. Enjoy!! March 18, 2008

 Emotional Mariah Full of Soul and Fun (3.5 stars)
The 2007+ fans of Mariah Carey should definitely check out her sophomore effort, the focused and flawlessly produced "Emotions" that came along in 1991. Commercially it did not match up to the eponymous debut with its four number-one songs, but it was not as scattered -- rather constructed with firm conviction and going for the best in Mariah. Already emphasizing Carey's trademark ballads, mostly produced by the inimitable Walter Afanasieff (notable highlight is "Can't Let Go"), it had its fair share of old school disco crossed with modern dancefloor in four tracks helmed by Clivilles and Cole (Sadly, David Cole later died of AIDS). Of these, "Emotions" and "Make It Happen" made it high to the charts, but "To Be Around You" was maybe the greatest fun ever had by Mariah on record. The great Carole King ("Tapestry") exactly filled Mariah's needs with the co-written "If It's Over". Although commercially more successful, "Music Box" of 1993 only repeated the formula coined by "Emotions". Often showcasing the high notes she was also famed for, Mariah Carey nevertheless has much more here to show. This album offers some of the top vocal performances ever recorded ("Emotions" is probably the most difficult number one song ever sung) and is not to grow old soon. October 20, 2007

 "You are the first thing on my mind..."
Mariah Carey's second album, Emotions is one of her best from the early '90s. Every song I truly recommend, with beautiful ballads like Til the end of Time, If It's Over, Can't Let Go, and So Blessed, Mariah's voice is flawless and gives you goosebumps that last for hours. I feel Mariah's songwriting really came alive during this period, her range as a singer was amazing to say the least, and even though I stopped caring for her albums after Butterfly, it's nice to look back and pop this disc in and just enjoy the old Mariah, she was magic and no one could hold a candle to her vocally. I highly recommend getting Emotions, it's defitnely one Mariah album to add to anyone's media library. Happy Listening! August 24, 2007

 'Emotions' Runs High and Shows Mariah's Vocal Range To Great Effect
Not one to contently bask in the glow of her burning fame in the early 1990's, Mariah Carey grabbed her lunch pail and quickly churned out a very enjoyable follow-up to her debut smash 'Mariah Carey'. With the enormous success of her first CD, it was an intimidating act for any artist to follow it up. But she succeeds admirably with 'Emotions'.

It shows Mariah was no fluke, displaying notes and pitch-perfect vocals that even today very few female singers can match. But not all the songs are keepers. I usually play only the first 5 songs and skip the last 5. My favorite is still 'Make It Happen'. The power and range Mariah displays on this track is remarkable. She pierces the heavens with her high notes and enormous lung power. I think Mariah really sings this song like she means it because she's writing the song from personal experience to not give up on her dreams of 'Making It'.

I think Tommy Mottola used 'Emotions' as a follow-up CD to spotlight Mariah's voice more so than the songs themselves. You can hear every part of Mariah's vocal range in the choice of songs on this CD. Obviously her upper range gets more of a workout on this CD than any other one in her entire Sony/Virgin/Island catalog. I think 'Emotions' was released as a vehicle to show her vocal chops and it succeeded in every way.

I wouldn't say the quality of songs is right up there compared with her debut CD or later ones (especially 'Daydreams'), but her vocal high register has never sounded better. Keep that tea kettle whistling, Mariah ! July 7, 2007

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