Review
Mariah Carey's lilting voice is so attractively airy that even when she's getting down and dirty on RAINBOW's numerous groove-heavy tunes, the overwhelming effect is one of a soothing aural massage. The mix of pop and R&B here is a link to Carey's past efforts, but the injection of a hip-hop flavor on several tunes points the way toward the singer's future.
Carey hasn't changed her style so radically as to partake in rapping; instead she's assisted by some talented guests, like Jay-Z, who enlivens the opener "Heartbreaker," and the "Heartbreaker" remix, where Mariah is flanked by Missy Elliot and Da Brat." On the poppier side, there's a stately piano ballad co-written by the ubiquitous Diane Warren and an unexpected cover of the Phil Collins hit "Against All Odds," which Carey delivers with soul and faithfulness to the original version. RAINBOW provides just the right balance between the old Mariah that fans know and love, and the new Mariah, who refuses to stop growing.