Daydream

"Fantasy" provides the only real transcendent chapter on this album. Reinterpreting Tom Tom Club's "Genius of Love" with a percolating dance beat, the single emphasizes everything that makes Mariah Carey great. Her voice swoops, squeals, and careens over the seductive rhythm, while the words capture just the right amount of vulnerability and determination. Unfortunately, the thrill is short-lived, as the multiplatinum singer soon falls back into typical adult-contemporary schlock and pointless vocal gymnastics, particularly on "Melt Away" and the bombastic cover of Journey's "Open Arms." --Aidin Vaziri