Rating:
Genre:
R&B
Release Date: 09/16/1997
Upon its release,
Butterfly was interpreted as
Mariah Carey's declaration of independence from her ex-husband (and label president)
Tommy Mottola, and to a certain extent, that's true.
Butterfly is peppered with allusions to her troubled marriage and her newfound freedom, and the music is supposed to be in tune with contemporary
urban sounds instead of
adult contemporary radio. Nevertheless, it feels like a
Mariah Carey album, which means that it's a collection of hit singles surrounded by classy filler. What is surprising about
Butterfly is the lack of up-tempo
dance-pop. Apart from the
Puffy Combs-produced
"Honey," Butterfly is devoted to
ballads, and while they are all well-crafted, many of them blend together upon initial listening. Subsequent plays reveal that
Carey's vocals are sultrier and more controlled than ever, and that helps
"Butterfly," "Break Down," "Babydoll," and the
Prince cover,
"The Beautiful Ones," rank among her best; also, the
ballads do have a stronger
urban feel than before. Even though
Butterfly doesn't have as many strong singles as
Daydream, it's one of her best records, illustrating that
Carey is continuing to improve and refine her music, which makes her a rarity among her '90s peers.
~Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
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