CD Description
A mature and contemplative Mariah Carey emerges as if from a chrysalis on her seventh album, displaying her now-familiar otherworldly vocal abilities tempered by a new restraint, as well as an infallible ear for irresistible rhythm-based, hook-laden music. BUTTERFLY's uptempo songs, including "Honey" and "Fly Away (Butterfly Reprise)", are flawlessly produced and catchy, and the title track soars with the spirit of independence and freedom.
BUTTERFLY is full of such hopeful, uplifting moments, but it is equally infused with a deepsense of sadness and loss, as displalyed on the album's numerous ballads, most notably "Breakdown", a simple, honest song with a "Tears Of A Clown" motif, on which Carey sings of hiding her sadness from the world. Both joy and grief are explored on this album with equal tenacity.