Music is great, no doubt. I just wanna complain to the sender that no case was included, and there are many scratch on the disc which is still readable by CD player. But the condition posted was "excellent"-it is NOT! I would like to change it with better condition's one.

I know Mariah could have done better on this album. The only song I like from this album was Through the rain, everything else was so dead. It was a complete borefest. There was no passion, no excitement, no sparks. It didn't really feel like a Mariah Carey album. It was like she was completely absent on this. I wanted her to show off her beautiful vocals that made her famous, but all I got was whispers. People may think that Glitter was her worst, but I don't think they have seen worst yet compared to this album. At least Glitter was more fun to listen to. It got me on my feet, but this album did not. I like the theme, but the songs could have been better. She could have put more effort and emotion into it like her previous albums, but I guess she was going thru alot during that time why she didn't put enough effort into this.

Charmbracelet by Mariah Carey is anything but a treasure. This was the album after her so-called breakdown and the music here is mostly filler, the songs are just messy and uninspiring. I used to love Mariah's albums but this one is her second worst after the horrific Rainbow. The only song with spunk and a sense of humor is the Eminem diss track, Clown. Bringin' on the Heartache is a so-so cover and Through the Rain is a complete snooze fest. I hate her r & b style songs, wish she would go back to her pop roots, this is one album to dispose of.

"Charmbracelet" confuses me. Something tells me I'm SUPPOSED To like it, since I usually like anything by Mariah, but its the only album in her catalog that I have consistently tried to revisit, but somehow can't quite get into it. I consider her soundtrack to "Glitter" superior to this.

The problem is that either Mariah thought she could blend way too many genres together, or she just wasn't very interested. Either way, its evident that the primary reason this ranks low in her catalog is due to the lack of good tunes. Simple as that. Almost nothing here has a catchy chorus or is singable, and her ballads, often Mariah's strong point, are almost always overwrought, oversung and way too dramatic to take seriously.

"Through The Rain" was supposed to be her comeback single. I remember the era well. MTV's TRL was doing a fine job promoting the song, and the video had an extended intro of a biracial family and their struggles. The song is just average, but Mariah for some reason wanted to strangle all the emotion out of it, so it becomes a farce.

"Boy" (I Need You) samples a summer hit by Cam'Ron, so it cant really be called original. However, some solid tracks do come up right after this one. Primary contendors would be "Clown", "Yours" and the beautiful "My Saving Grace". Did I mention that the production on this CD is tight throughout?

"Bringin' On the Heartbreak" is easily the most accessible song on this. A straight cover of the rock song, it bewildered many at first, but has gone on to become a much loved Carey track. Towards the end of the album, the song selection tends to droop. I mean, I don't know why Mariah thought it wise to record and release a duet with Ashanti of all people, but you have that song here as well. The "Through the Rain" remix at the end isn't bad, but considering the original song itself was average, its really nothing to write home about.

And thats the problem with this album. Every Mariah record has a WOW moment - a couple of REALLY good tracks, a standout single, some introspective songwriting, but here, there is really none of that. What we have in its' place is very average, same-sounding songs of the pop/R&B variety. Think of something released by Nivea, Olivia or even Amerie (early years) and you can possibly comprehend the vibe of the CD. I am guessing it even sold as much as it did only because of the Carey tag, because otherwise there is very little here that seems compelling.

My main concern with this album, is that despite owning every Mariah album in existence, this is the one I can never quite seem to WANT to play. It lies there, but I can't pick it up. Why? Because I know theres no pay off. As a Mariah fan, it would be easy for me to give this five stars, but I am conscious of her grand mis-step here, and while I won't call this a big mistake, its certainly her most unlistenable musical experiment.

Pros - Great Production, Some good vocals, a Couple of Standout tracks
Cons - No cohesiveness, Poor Melodies, Poor songwriting, Too many 'vocal sighs' from Mariah, and a lack of musical direction

All in all, this is monumental because it reintroduced some edgy production into Mariah's albums, but at the same time it was a huge disappointment as Mariah's 'comeback' would have to wait at least a couple of years more. So should you buy "Charmbracelet". My answer would be - try some audio samples. If you like most of Track 1-6, then do get it. However, if you don't, skip this entirely, as you won't be missing much, honestly.

Three Stars.

I have to say that once I gave this another chance, I found that it was better than I initially thought. I appreciate all the times where she belts instead of whispering here and there.

Here's my review:

through the rain * whispering vocals, slightly inspirational but too long. nice ending. 3.5/5
boy * too long also. otherwise, fun, bouncy approach and lyrics. 4/5
the one * lyrics are the strong point. nice notes at the finish. 4.25/5
yours * the second strongest track here. perfection. 5/5
you got me * nice, nice rhythm of the lyrical delivery, freeway's rap is too long, jay-z makes up for it. 4.5/5
i only wanted * great lyrics, soft but effective way delivery. 4.25/5
clown * awesome lyrics and delivery. still whisper-y though. 4.75/5
my saving grace * slow, slow delivery but decent ending. 3.75/5
you had your chance * yet another fun delivery, decent lyrics and great high notes. 4.75/5
lullaby * average repetitive chorus, nice verse deliveries make up for it. 4/5
irresistable * nice mood, boring chorus, nice verse deliveries. boring rap. 3.5/5
subtle invitation * classic happening; boring choruses but nice verse delivery. 3.5/5
bringing on the heartbreak * nice remake and one of her best high notes EVER towards the end. 4/5
sunflowers for alfred roy * so, so sweet. best song and best bridge delivery on the cd. 5/5
through the rain remix * bland and overdone compared to the other one. kelly and joe don't even save it!! 3.25/5

.8133333 = 4.065
4.07 stars.