Carey's "Rainbow" a span of styles
Understandably, the half-nakedness in the videos, the hair-tossing at awards shows and screeching on the records can be a bit much. But you have to give Mariah Carey credit: Underneath it all, there is actually something underneath - well-crafted pop. Shimmering example no. 1; "Heartbreaker," the single that helped the biggest selling female artist of the '90s break the Beatles' record for No. 1 singles.
Though decidedly calorie-heavy, "Heartbreaker" is fun that gets pleasantly grittier on the remix with rappers Da Brat and Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott. In fact, hip-hop grit obviously becomes Carey, as "Crybaby" - with rap's amiable snarler, Snoop Dogg - is also among the best here.
But the standout is "Bliss," a slinky ballad with chirping birds and convincing vocals reminiscent of R&B singer Minnie Ripperton's classic 1979 single "Loving You."
Finally, it just wouldn't be a Mariah Carey record without a few big over-orchestrated opportunities for her to stamp her considerable technical abilities all over your ears, like "Thank God I Found You" (with R&B singer Joe and pop act 98 Degrees) and "Can't Take That Away (Mariah's Theme)." But surprisingly, those kinds of songs are not in abundance on "Rainbow."
So even if you still can't get past the hair-tossing and occasional screeching, the crystal in your house should be pleased.
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