It would not be unfair to say that since her separation from Sony hot-shot, Tommy Mottola, Mariah Carey has been the focus of a lot of negative media attention. Ironically, while many have criticised her yearning to break free of her once "girl-next-door" image, this very longing has allowed a more innovative and artistically liberated Mariah to emerge, making her music so much more interesting. God only knows that had Carey churned out another four or five "Music Boxes," her career would have been dead long ago.
Thankfully, "Glitter" is a fine example of how Carey is unafraid to keep evolving as an artist, experimenting with new - and old - sounds. Here, Mariah brings the eighties back in a big way. Scarily enough, the barely-touched remake of the 1984 hit "I Didn't Mean To Turn You On," actually sounds cool, as does her remake of "Last Night a DJ Saved My Life" (a sure club hit). Carey also continues on with the "hip-pop" culture she initiated back in '95, with grooves such as "If We," and "Don't Stop (Funkin' 4 Jamaica)."
"Want You," a duet with Eric Benet, is an absolute gem, and is a smooth, seductive tune, reminiscent of the '96 remix of Always Be My Baby featuring Da Brat.
Of course, the ballads are all here ("Lead The Way," "Reflections (Care Enough)," "Never Too Far," and "Twister"), showing that when it comes to the power ballads, Mariah still knows how to deliver.
The awesome "All My Life," is arguably the most unique track on the album - or even in Mariah's career. The production gives it a "live" feel, and provides a soulful groove that is sure to blow many away.
However, no Mariah album is complete without the all-important 'first single' - always track 1, always upbeat, and never more than one word in the title (a tradition she has kept alive since the #1 hit "Emotions" in 1991). But unlike most of its predecessors (i.e. "Fantasy," "Heartbreaker," etc.) "Loverboy" takes a few listens to appreciate its somewhat 'hidden' qualities.
Overall, Glitter is a step in a totally different, and exciting, direction - it is NOT Rainbow Part 2 (or should I say, Daydream Part 4?) However let's not forget that this album is, more than anything else, a soundtrack to film set in the 80's, and is most likely, simply a momentary venture into new teritory before returning to continue in the tradition of "Daydream," "Butterfly," and "Rainbow."