OK, OK, so Mariah had a few troubles last year. All right, a lot of troubles. Her big-screen debut, "Glitter," marketed as "the-next-best-thing" flopped at the box office, managing a $2 million haul. To make matters worse, Mariah also failed where she had never failed before: her music. The accompany soundtrack to "Glitter" debuted at an all time Carey low at number 6, and sold less than 500,000. Add to this the fact that she had a breakdown, and you've got career suicide.

Or so some thought. A year later [and as she's said in just about every interview, feeling refreshed] Mariah releases the follow-up to "Glitter," entitled "Charmbracelet." Now I know what you're thinking, "Charmbracelet?"! Yeah, all right, we're not in third grade anymore, and though the title may seem a little elementary, the theme is well thought out and very clever. Each of the album's fifteen tracks has a specific charm to go with it, and the fifteen tracks come together to form a charmbracelet.

If you've gotten used to Mariah's hip-hop infused beats and melodies over the last 3 or 4 years, prepare to be pleasantly surprised. And although Roc-A-Fella artists Cam'Ron, Jay-Z and Freeway along with Ice Cube and WC make appearances, they do not dominate the album in the vein of 1999s "Rainbow." Mariah seems to be quite fond of the mid-tempo on this album, as just about every song is one.

By now you've heard the "I'm gonna make it!" anthem, "Through the Rain," and while there's nothing particularily wrong with the song, and is a strong ballad, you can't help but feel you've heard it all before. "The One," is a mid-tempo produced by Jermaine Dupri, which is set to be the album's second single. A very nice and simple song that brings Mariah back to her roots.

"Boy [I Need You]," "You Got Me," and "I Only Wanted" are all catchy yet forgettable, with "I only Wanted" standing as the only ballad on the album aside from "Through the Rain" [unless you call "Bringin' on the Heartbreak" a ballad].

"Yours," is a CLASSIC Mariah Carey song, which harkens back to the days of "Daydream." Actually the song reminds me a lot of that song, and the remix of the song, featuring Justin Timberlake, is even better, but alas, is not included in "Charmbracelet."

"Clown," is a clever diss on Eminem with a catchy chorus that'll have you humming for days. "...I guess your mama never told you what goes around/Comes back around...," "Who's gonna care when the novelty's over?/ When the star of the show, isn't you anymore?"

"My Saving Grace" is not the typical Mariah track and is infused with gospel and soul. "Lullaby," is a forgettable along with the JD produced "You Had Your Chance." Not bad songs, but also not Mariah's best.

"Irresistible," [which by the way is misspelled in the last section of the album book] is a catchy song that would appeal to Mariah's hip-hop loving fans. I'll even forgive Ice Cube trying to rap again, but he does bring this song down a notch. If Mariah is still pushing this album come summer time, I hope this becomes a single.

"Subtle Invitation" gives Mariah a jazz/blues sound that she's never really experimented with. Sounds good. "Sunflowers for Alfred Roy," is an emotional, well written and produced song, as is the "Through the Rain [Remix]" which features singers Kelly Price and Joe. It's a nice up-tempo twist on the original ballad.

The one song I avoided the whole review, the Def Leppard cover, "Bringin' on the Heartbreak" is the album's strongest track. It's very well done, overblown and theatrical. Very different from any song that Carey has ever recorded. A definite must listen.

If you're a fan of Mariah, don't hesitate to pick this one up. If you're a little unsure about Mariah since the "Glitter," fiasco, try before you buy. You won't be disappointed.

Rating: 81%

Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Driving