It's R&B/pop at its best. While this CD is like Mariah Carey's others in that the songs are compelling and you can't help singing to them or moving to the beats, she sings with a different kind of strength here. The CD follows a theme of personal growth that, not surprisingly, is a blatant parallel of Carey's personal life.

singing to, dancing to, feeling empowered.

Favorite songs: "We Belong Together" and "Shake It Off." They're both about relationships and both so intense that there were times when I couldn't even listen to the first one because I'd burst into tears thinking about an ex I thought I was over! I dealt with those feelings by ad nauseum playing of "Shake It Off," which is about moving on with more personal strength.

I wasn't crazy about the more "rap" type songs. Not because I don't like rap, because I do, but I just didn't like the feel of some of the songs.

I've never been able to appreciate Mariah Carey on a "personal level" since I find it annoying that every video she does (before her 'Emancipation' and after) has to show her being ultra-sexy. But her music? I love it. I think I own all but one of her albums. I'm a fan of her music, and just love her voice.