Glitter

Despite songbird Mariah Carey's emotional troubles during the release of the soundtrack to Glitter, she has never sounded giddier. In keeping with the semiautobiographical flick's 1980s time frame, Glitter mines the rich and rhythmic fields of discofied funk and club-friendly jams, and Carey soars on thumping covers of Indeep's "Last Night a DJ Saved My Life" (featuring DJ Clue, Busta Rhymes, and New Jack of the moment Fabolous), and Cherrelle's skittish, synth-soaked love song "Didn't Mean to Turn You On," which in a nice touch, is revisited by its production auteurs Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Also well worth a listen is "All My Life," a sweet and nasty Rick James track that finds Mariah looser than she's ever been; it's on those uptempo jams that Mariah is all sass and sex. Unfortunately, she loses the mood on the by-the-numbers ballads, which slow the party down just as it's getting hot. --Amy Linden Amazon.com

Better than its reputation...

First of all, I just want to say that this review is not defending the movie. It is as bad as everyone says it is, and should be avoided at all costs.

As for the album, I have a different take. Many consider the album a huge embarrassment for Mariah Carey, partly because of the movie that it was inspired by, partly because of her famous mental problems shortly before it was released, and partly because it flopped in a big way, prompting Virgin records to buy out her record-breaking contract. However, the album deserves better.

Don't get me wrong. This album has some glaring flaws. The biggest problem is that this album is her most schizophrenic. Some of the tracks have that typical sound that many of her hit songs, and the others have an 80s sound to it. Together, it sounds like it is trying to be two albums in one (which, let's face it, was her intention), and it just doesn't work.

That being said, there are some fantastic songs on here. All of the ballads, such as "Lead the Way," "Twister," "Reflections," and especially "Never Too Far" are just beautiful, and a few of them (the latter especially) sound like the old school Mariah Carey everyone loves. Other songs, such as "Didn't Mean to Turn You On," "All My Life," and "Last Night a DJ Saved My Life" have a fun, 80s sound to it that really puts you in a nostalgic mood.

All and all, I'd say this is Mariah's best album that nobody heard. Even if released at a different time, it probably would have struggled on the charts just the same, but the material would still be good. While it isn't her best album, nor an album to help the curious start to discover her music, it's still an album that many would enjoy. May 23, 2008

I really enjoyed it... NOT THE MOVIE!!!

Glitter maybe the biggest bomb in the box office, but this album shines... to me this is one of mariahs best work... im a big 80s fan and the way she channeled most of the songs was great... the samples, the guest appearances, production... she did her thing... i think if the album wasn't tied with the movie i think this album would have done its work...

there are a bunch of tracks i love on this album but the one that sticks out the most to me is "don't stop (funkin 4 jamaica)"... mystikal probably gives his best performance in a song... PERIOD. and im kinda glad mariah does the chorus and let the song and mystikal do their thing... the sample is just brilliant.

"didn't mean to turn you on" is another banger for me... STR8T 80s hands down... she channeled The Time & Prince beautifully....

and she shines on the ballads... "never too far" is one of my favourite slow songs she has ever recorded... she sounds vulnerable and fragile in the beginning and it crescendos... he voice is soooo powerful.

'twister', 'loverboy' ft. cameo (not the remix), "last night a DJ saved my life', and 'if we' are definate standouts worth at least a listen...

i kno im not going to get a bunch of cheers for this review. this album may have not done its thing in the beginning but the afterlife is worth it... give it a chance... the movie has nothing to do with the album...


4.2 stars out of 5: some of her best work of her career April 30, 2008

It's a good CD

I like this CD, it shows a great range of songs whether you are in the mood for a fast or slow cut. April 28, 2008

Not Bad, Just Uneven

The "Glitter" album and movie seem to be on everyone's "worst ever" list. I've listened to the album many times, and my feeling is that it's not bad, it is just very disconnected. Maybe movie soundtracks have that tendency.

One result is that the album is difficult to listen to from start to finish. The songs are mostly enjoyable by themselves, but they seem out of place on the same album.

There are some really, amusingly bad aspects of Glitter... the hip-hop stunting and certain oversung passages fall into this category. All of that is part of Mariah's supposed deterioration into some kind of weird wannabe evil genius obsessed with J-Lo. But Glitter itself is an enjoyable (if somewhat silly) album.

October 28, 2007

Overlooked and Underrated

Had this not been associated with the film it would have been great.
Mariah Carey took chances with this album and did an excellent job. Every song on this album has top-notch vocals (The best in her career, in my opinion) and it's pure ear candy.
Be sure to check out standout tracks: Lead The Way, All My Life, Want You, and Never Too Far September 19, 2007

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