This is by far Mariah's best album and the album that made me a fan! it's so beautiful and heartfelt.

1. Honey - Great up-tempo song ya all know it, It became her 12th #1 song.

2. Butterfly - A beautiful ballad...I really can't descibe in words how wonderful it is.

3. My All - This is my favorite song on the album, it's classic Mariah.

4. The Roof - Another great song, It has greatl lyrics, soem of the best Mariah has ever written.

5. Fourth of July - This is the only song that I'm not that into, it's kinda like "Underneathe the Stars".

6. Breakdown - Mariah's best song after "Vision Of Love" Mariah and Bone Thugs = The best stuff you ever heard.

7. Babydoll - This song is a really great R&B song.

8. Close My Eyes - A very personal ballad, beautiful melody and great lyrics. This song sometimes brings a tear to my eye.

9. Whenever You Call - Old School Mariah type ballad.

10. Fly Away (Butterfly Reprise) - Nice dance mix

11. The Beautiful Ones - One of Mariah's best remakes...and Dru Hill sounds great on it!

12. Outside - Great ballad for anyone who feels..."On the outside".

it's been 3 years since the release of butterfly and i am just compelled to write my thoughts down on the album. this is the album that mariah showcases her artistry. i have to take this track by track.HONEY mariah can seem to take a mindless dweeb of a producer to their career high (puff daddy) this tracks' lyrics are the epitomy of perfection of a dance song the music to this track is the epitomy of perfection of a dance song whitney houston/celine dion eat your hearts out because this girl has done something here that you two could only dream about mix hiphop/r&b with pop/dance.BUTTERFLY. . . .why i do beleive this is lyrically the best song ever written how can a pop artist take 3 and 4 syllable words write them in a verse and it style flow rhythmically this is perfection MY ALL the first verse is an instant classic lyrically and the last chorus is an instant classic vocally mariah takes such picturesque lyrics and combines them with the most captivating vocals to create one of the best love songs ever recordedTHE ROOF & Fourth of july prove no one tells a story like mariah carey NOONE her voice whisers teases and explods on both songs BREAKDOWN by time i get to this track i'm already in tears from the absolute beauty of the first 5 tracks but this one is her most clever it is a shock that she is able to melodically keep pace with bone thugs in harmony the lyrics here are incredible i could do without the adlibs in the last 30 seconds of the track but the song is aesthetically one of the best on the album.BABYDOLL is the r&b fans delight the beat words and music added to mariahs voice can make this song a black radio favoraite if sony has the guts to release the singleCLOSE MY EYES is the best account of a traumatizing childhood ever recorded lyrically its infectious and moving WHENEVER YOU CALL is a song that sucks you in and gets better with each passing moment the lyrics here are absolutely poetically astounding but in the final dramatic chorus mariah sounds better than ever the vocals here are the brightest spot on the projectFLY AWAY i love mariah's dance interludes and they are a welcome change of pace from the lyrical heaviness of the rest of the album its light its catchy it belongs hereTHE BEAUTIFUL ONES i love the collaboration here it is much more energetic than 1 sweet day MC couldn't have picked a better song to add to this project and i love how her voice starts as a whisper and ballons out love his love this love thisOUTSIDE just when you thought how is she gonna end this album off so you can label it perfect she goes into the mind of every person who has ever felt on the outside and psychoanalizes it into a song this song is exceptional the feelings belted in the last chorus are the most heartfelt on the projecti cannot tell you how much this project means to me i have always loved MC but this album put her over the top. artistacally vocally lyrically it leaves nothing to be desired this is my favoraite album ever because out of the 143 CD's i own it's the only 1 i can listen to all the way through and brings me to tears in it's final moments i beleive that mariah is a genius and that this is the only album in the history of music to SUCCESSFULLY blend hip hop r&b soul pop adult contemporary and dance music together as it should be mariah has just flown above the likes of whitney houston and celine dion because she has demonstrated one thing these women can only dream of absolute . . . artistry

Mariah Carey's 1997 release, Butterfly, was the turning point of her career - music wise...and over the course of a few years, success wise. Since her self-titled 1990 debut, she had basically sung ballad after ballad with the exception of some up-tempo hits such as Emotions, Someday and Dreamlover. By the time this album was released, Mariah Carey had already shifted a staggering 94 million albums worldwide - this would be the album that pushed her sales over the all-important, Diva-essential 100 million mark. Unfortunately, Butterfly was the album where it all began to go a bit down for Mariah - why is it that when an artist gradually brings out better material, the sales begin to decrease? The Butterfly album sold 11 million copies worldwide and was seen as a bit of a flop. Despite this, it truly is a stunning lyrical and musical masterpiece - one Mariah should feel proud to be the producer of.

Butterfly gets off to a flying start (excuse the pun) with the album's lead single Honey (10/10). A UK No.3 and US No.1 in the summer of 1997, the song is one of Mariah's greatest compositions to date and has a superb James Bond-style video to accompany it. The lyrics are not always clear on Honey, but the beats definitely are. Mariah gets help on Honey (not just on this version) from an army of top class R'n'B producers, such as Sean "Puffy" Combs (P.Diddy now), Jermaine Dupri and Da Brat. The album's title track follows. Butterfly (9/10) is a wonderful ballad from Mariah with a slight hint of R'n'B. While lyrically superb, Mariah's vocals are not - she uses more breathy vocals on Butterfly rather than her soaring trademark voice...the one that made her the biggest selling female artist of the 1990's. My All (10/10) follows this and in spectacular style. Definitely one of Mariah's career highlights, My All was a UK No.4 and US No.1. This is a trademark ballad from Mariah in which she uses her stunning vocal range. The lyrics are very expressive and the emotion in Carey's voice is supreme. The Roof (10/10) and Fourth Of July (9/10) follow as tracks 4 and 5 respectively. The former is a highly-praised Mariah Carey classic. The beat is brilliant and is just pure "R'n'B Mariah" at her very best with a silky, velvety beat. The latter is a song that is hated by many people who review Butterfly. I can't see why - granted, the song isn't exactly the best on the album, but still has a great chorus. Breakdown (10/10) is another classic "R'n'B Mariah" song with soft vocals and a relaxing and chilled-out beat. Babydoll (10/10) is my favourite non-released song from Butterfly. Mariah's vocals on this superb R'n'B number are very light and the lyrics are hardly recognisable...but that's not the thing that makes this quite possibly one of Mariah Carey's greatest compositions of her entire career. I'm talking, of course, about that totally addictive and catchy bassline. The deep boom that follows in a certain arrangement is absolutely superb. Hear it and be hooked...

Close My Eyes (10/10) and Whenever You Call (9/10) are up next. The former is definitely an album highlight. With its breathy and soothing vocals and mid-tempo beat, it makes for one hell of a song. The bassline is powerful and the lyrics are very professional. The latter is another superb song - excellent lyrics, excellent vocals (very "Vision Of Love" towards the end), excellent arrangement and excellent piano intro...'Nuff said! Fly Away (Butterfly Reprise) (8/10) is the next song. At just over 3 minutes, it could have just been an actual song, instead of a reprise! It starts off very mid-tempo, before breaking out into an up-tempo song with a brilliant dance beat. Remixed by David Morales, no one can deny this catchy beat. This said, it most definitely does not fit in with the rest of Butterfly and is probably the main reason it receives such criticism from other reviewers. The Beautiful Ones (8/10) is Mariah's sort-of "duet-type" thingy with Dru Hill. Although the way Mariah's vocals soar on this song, there's no way a certain Mr Sisqo can compete! Basically he just sounds like a background singer. Outside (9/10) is another brilliant mid-tempo ballad. The lyrics are about being accepted for who you are. Overall, a superb song that should've closed the album instead of the next two tracks. Honey (So So Def Radio Mix) Featuring Da Brat and JD (9/10) and Honey (Def Club Mix) (10/10) are the final two tracks on Butterfly. The former is a surprisingly good remix of Honey with a great rap from Jermaine Dupri. The latter is a brilliant club mix of Honey that goes on for more than 6 minutes. Although these last two remixes are brilliant, I really think they should've been left of Butterfly because they simply just do not suit the rest of the album.

OVERALL GRADE: 10/10

Butterfly is an absolutely superb and exceptional album from Mariah Carey. It received some great reviews critically, but not commercially - if only it had sold twice as many as the 11 million that it did. The follow-up to Butterfly was Rainbow - which was also superb, but no where near as creative and well-produced as Butterfly is. All in all, this is an essential Mariah Carey album for fans and a definite highlight of the 1990's.

For her fifth traditional, non-holiday studio album, Mariah Carey raises the bar and creates a beautiful R&B-laced album. But this album is much unlike most albums in this category. This is a true work of art, a beautiful concept album at its best!!

Everything about this album is perfect! From the lyrics to the music to the production to the sequencing, very, very little could ever be done to improve this record. It is hands-down Mariah's best work, and actually my favorite record of all time!

Following a difficult marriage and painful divorce, Mariah digs much deeper than ever before, uncovering personal layers of herself listeners never would have imagined. The album doesn't dwell on the bitterness of the divorce, but, rather, salvages the memories of the relationship. Songs like "My All," "The Roof," "Breakdown," and the title track reflect upon lost love, express the personal agony of ending a relationship, and recall bittersweet memories of past relationships.

Although some of the aftershocks of her break-up with Tommy Mattola are evident in 'Butterfly,' the record does not focus solely on the topic. The album also consists of catchy, ear-candy tunes ("Honey", "Babydoll"), well-crafted love ballads ("Fourth of July", "Whenever You Call"), and beautiful personal reflections on life (the closing number "Outside", and the exceptional "Close My Eyes").

The musicality of the album is top-notch. Each song is very distinct from the rest, leaving the listener with a different feel for each track. However, while diverse, the tracks work in unison to create a complete work of art.

Mariah also leaves behind a good bit of the pop dance and ballads of her earlier career and ventures into the R&B territory, a place she had been wanting to explore years prior to this release. The result is beyond satisfactory. A smooth, more dynamic artist is born, and success is written all over this move. The music of this album is pure ear candy. But that's definitely not the only reason this album remains so superb.

Lyrically, this album is astonishing. Some of the best song lyrics I've ever heard exist in the tracks of this album. If you are not a Mariah Carey fan, don't let this hinder you from checking out this gem. You may be surprised by what you hear. This album appeals to non-lambs as well.

This album is one of the most vulnerably personal and exquisitely crafted albums I've ever heard. The only thing else I can say about it is that I will forever be waiting for the day when Mariah creates another album as stunning as this one. Trust me, if I could give it infinity stars, I would!! It really is THAT awesome!

The songs...

1. "Honey" 10/10: An excellent choice for the first single! The beat, the lyrics, the music, and especially the video, are all hot! A smart, sexy summer single, and my second favorite Mariah #1 (the first being "Hero") and possibly her best upbeat song ever!

2. "Butterfly" 10/10: A gorgeous, bittersweet ballad co-written with her long-time collegue, Walter A. The lyrics and music are beautiful, and I love the background vocalists!

3. "My All" 9/10: A very nice, wistful ballad about lost love. I would have picked other songs on this CD to go to #1 before this one, particularly because I like their lyrics more, but it's great!

4. "The Roof" 10/10: One of my all-time favorite Mariah songs (and my second favorite video, right after "Honey). It's so catchy, with clever, nostalgic lyrics, and a hauntingly compelling tune. Awesome!!!

5. "Fourth of July" 9/10: A nice love ballad, sounding very much like a continuation of "Underneath the Stars" from 'Daydream.' I play it multiple times every July 4th! (lol)

6. "Breakdown" 10/10: I love this song! It is very possibly Mariah's best hip-hop collaboration ever! Bone Thugs 'N Harmony add so much to this track! An excellent mid-tempo number with very clever lyrics about the painful aftermath of a break-up. It's ridiculous that this song was so overlooked when it was released!!

7. "Babydoll" 9/10: A cool, smooth, mid-tempo R&B ditty with excellent lyrics by Mariah & Missy Elliott. Works very well after "Breakdown."

8. "Close My Eyes" 12/10!!!!: I break the rules and give this song two more points because it is Mariah's best song ever, and probably my all-time favorite song! A very personal, reflective ballad with THE BEST LYRICS EVER!!! Mariah doesn't overdo it here, singing quite soft and beautifully, a side of her I wish I could hear more often. OUTSTANDING!!!!! Words cannot express how much I love this song!!!

9. "Whenever You Call" 10/10: A beautiful love song! Classic Mariah. It will bring tears to your eyes. I want it played in my wedding!

10. "Fly Away (Butterfly Reprise)" 9/10: A lot like 1995's "Daydream Interlude," this dance version of "Butterfly" brings back the lyrics from the original's chorus and effectively bridges the gap between "Call" and "The Beautiful Ones." Works very well.

11. "The Beautiful Ones" 10/10: A stunning cover of Prince's original hit with guest vocalist Dru Hill. One of Mariah's best covers!! Some people may complain about the song being 7 minutes long, but I love it that way!! The longer it plays, the better it gets. Wonderful!

12. "Outside" 10/10: A very passionate (and heartbreaking!) soul ballad about never feeling like you belong. Mariah digs very deep into herself for these lyrics, and many listeners will be able to relate. Her vocals are awesome, and the lyrics are superb and somewhat reminiscant of "Looking In" from 'Daydream.' An excellent closing number!!

There was no way Mariah was going to top the dream that was Daydream. That classic had too many sweet and tender ballads, and some nice mid-paced numbers, even one with a skippy beat. If Butterfly was Butterfly, Daydream was a painted bunting proudly showing its colours like a rainbow. Wait, that's the name of the album after this! Never mind.

"Honey" is sort of a cousin to "Fantasy" but here is a case where with the drum and keyboard programming, Mariah is starting to fool with the hip-hop that would become annoying with Rainbow's "Heartbreaker". I'm referring to the guest vocals by Lox and Mase. She sings "you know sugar was never this sweet", but I wouldn't apply it to this Puffy Combs-produced song.

Ah, there's nothing like a Mariah and Walter Afanasieff co-written song, and the title track is no exception. "Butterfly" has Mariah tearfully letting go of someone she loved too much that the guy decided to leg it, but she does have hope and will accept a future return. "Spread your wings and prepare to fly/for you have become a butterfly/fly abandonedly into the sun/if you should return to me/we tryly were meant to be/so spread your wings and fly/butterfly" sung in a gospel-like manner by Mariah, Melonie Daniels, and Mary Ann Tatum.

Beginning with Spanish-sounding guitar, "My All" is a quieter more melodic ballad, and the string synths kick in when she sings the chorus a second and third time, at which time her voice reaches her emotional peak: "I give you my all to have/just one more night with you/I'd risk my life to feel/Your body next to mine" Really intimate here!

"The Roof" is a mid-paced quasi hip-hop number with no guest rappers, but it could be a good ballad if it kept the string synths and backup singers. If it were better, it would be worth the 5 minutes+.

"Fourth Of July" is more like it, another romantic ballad with dreamy keyboards, and slow programmed drums. Another intimate interlude spend inside while the firecrackers and Roman candles are doing their magic. "Tangled up with you among the fireflies/on the Fourth of July" goes the refrain. Wow!

"Breakdown" features members from the gangster rap group Mo Thugs, Krayzie Bone and Wish Bone, who contribute some unwanted raps mid-song and backing vocals. Otherwise, it'd be another nice ballad. Producer is... figures... Mr. Combs.

"Babydoll" is of a woman anxiously waiting for her lover late at night in the hotel room. She gets more sexy in some of her lyrics, singing "Zoning out thinking about/you and me between the sheets". A loungy R&B ballad with some programmed drums backing.

"Close My Eyes" is a piano ballad about self-enlightenment whose lush gospelish backing vocals make this like George Michael's "Father Figure".

Another ballad that melts my heart--"Whenever You Call", and the piano and string synths accompany her voice, which is at one of her tenderest: "And I will always remember/part of you so tender/I'll be the one to catch your fall/whenever you call." If my ideal one sang that to me.... It's tracks like this that make me wonder if Mariah shouldn't release an album called The Ballads Collection, and tracks like "Butterfly", "Fourth Of July", and "Whenever You Call", written by her and Walter Afanasieff, should be included.

After a brief reprise of "Butterfly", is a slowed down version of Prince's "The Beautiful Ones". Dru Hill sings along with Mariah, and they are no Prince. This is one of those times where a straight ahead cover with Mariah giving her all would've been ideal, just like she did with "Open Arms." The intensity with which Prince sings "Do you want him or do you want me" isn't replicated here.

"Outside" is the final lovely ballad and part of the chorus reflects the state I'm in now: "But in your heart/Uncertainty forever lies/And you'll always be/Somewhere on the outside."

Overall, a worthy effort spoiled by the first raindrops of what would be annoying guest-rapper time. The storm would really hit with Glitter, but there'd be one more stop first...somewhere over the Rainbow.