From the demure photos gracing the artwork (the tight shorts of
Rainbow are long gone) and the first single/opening track "Through the Rain," a slow ballad designed as "Vision of Love" meets "Hero," it's evident that
Mariah is back in the adult contemporary camp. She hasn't completely abandoned hip-hop --
Jay-Z and
Freeway guest on "You Got Me," there's a the club-ready groove for "You Had Your Chance" (built on the same bassline as "Nuthin' But a G Thang"), and a take-off of
Cam'ron's "Oh Boy" on "Boy (I Need You)" (which he endorses with a cameo); there's the crackling vinyl used as ambient noise on "Irresistible," and the use of dripping water as percussion on "I Only Wanted." She also covers
Def Leppard's power ballad classic "Bringin' on the Heartbreak." ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine