Mary J. Blige - Growing Pains

 What Love Is
This is by far the best track on the album and my favorite song by her ever. The piano is so pretty and the lyrics are so real! This is a great album and is up there with the break through! I have never been so impressed with Mary until What love is came out! It needs to be released as a single not Stay down which is one of the wackest songs on the album! May 12, 2008

 Mary J. Blige is back and upbeat!!!
I love this WHOLE cd...without skipping a song. My favorite song on the whole cd is "Work In Progress." When she breaks this song down it practically brings me to tears. I can definitely relate to every word she sings. My son is almost 15 years old and he loves this whole cd. When he gets in the car he's ready to pop it in too and hit the repeat on several of the songs. Great job Mary and keep 'em coming!!! May 8, 2008

 Horrible!!!
This has to be the worst album Mary has ever made. I listened to it 1 time then gave it away. What a waste of money May 2, 2008

 the break what!
if music is about the collaboration of the soul and the beat, mary j. blige's " Growing Pains" is a prime example. on her eighth album, mary blends the rawness of hip hop, smooth r and b, and even ventures to soft rock to emphasize different emotions. for example, "smoke" a song about the insecurities one has in a relationship, is midtempo soft rock ballad that compliments her hesistant but strong voice. " just fine", the lead single from the album, is a one on one therapy session with a life coach that makes you feel good because she's good...fine. with a micheal jaxckson's off the wall feel, you cant help but to get up and celebrate life for what it is. on the other hand, when mary is pissed, we know to run for the boarder with tracks like "roses". however, the track that stands out is " till the morning" which i personally think should be the next single with its tribe called quest inspired beat. overall, " Growing Pains" is the standard for r and b albums for 2008 because it blends , expresses every emotion of love, tries different genres of music and is the truth. beyonce take note! April 28, 2008

 A healed Mary
Mary J. Blige said on VH1's Storytellers that most people were saying they don't like her music now that she's happy. My friends and me have been having this discussion since after "No More Drama" was released and news of Mary's happiness and marriage and salvation had made news all over.
I am the rare person who loves to see another person rise, even an artist. I know artists are supposed to suffer to create good art, but Mary did that in the early to mid-90s -- now she's grown up. I love "Grown Woman" with Missy Elliott and Ludacris, it's a great summer single; "Roses" answers those who think that a happy life is unfettered by drama; "Stay Down" is inspirational love music for those who are not sure whether they're going to stick with that relationship. There's something for everyone on this album, if you can stand Mary's maturity. April 27, 2008

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