The Breakthrough
by Mary J. Blige
  • Record Label: Geffen
  • Release Date: Dec 20, 2005
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 58 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 51 out of 58
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 58
  3. Negative: 4 out of 58

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  1. KiaA
    Dec 27, 2005
    10
    I luv this girl...Go Mary!!!!
  2. MaxL
    Dec 20, 2005
    9
    This a suprisingly refreshing album. I'm impressed by the diversity of moods Mary is able to evoke. The production is solid from start to end. But really it's Mary voice that shines through as she really seems to have find a sweet spot on this album that was missing on recent outings. I would highly recommend this album and would bet it'll do pretty damn well sales-wise. This a suprisingly refreshing album. I'm impressed by the diversity of moods Mary is able to evoke. The production is solid from start to end. But really it's Mary voice that shines through as she really seems to have find a sweet spot on this album that was missing on recent outings. I would highly recommend this album and would bet it'll do pretty damn well sales-wise. Mary J. Blige is positioning herself to be around for quite some time with this one.… Expand
  3. teAhunga
    Dec 29, 2005
    10
    Mary, We Love You.....God Bless =)
  4. PatW
    Jan 13, 2006
    10
    Ultra Ultra Classic. I've said it before and i'll say it again, every track on this album is a killer. "One" is puuuuure excellence, I cry almost everytime I hear it. 10/10
  5. Dre
    Jan 20, 2006
    10
    The queen still reigns!! The critics get paid to give their opinion, but like Mary said, "Hate or love it, she is the soul hip hop queen!"
  6. EmilieA
    Jan 2, 2006
    10
    The most inspiring album of 2005
  7. LollipopX
    Jan 30, 2006
    8
    This Album is definetly one of her best. Full of happiness and emotion straight from the R&B Queen herself. Somewhat sloppy songs such as "MJB the MVP" which is a boring remake of "Hate It or Love It" but overall, it's enjoyable.
  8. RuiR
    Feb 2, 2006
    8
    Mary J. Blige's voice and music represents the best of the past and the present of R&B. Unfortunetly, "The Breaktrough" does have some fillers (especially U2´s "One" poor and obvious rendition), but the overall result is amazing, with Mary´s voice in top form and a guess list that rarely disappoints. Many hopes on Alicia, but MJB still kicks ass!
  9. TylerM
    Jan 4, 2007
    10
    I loved the album. tons of great inspirational songs that touched me in the right way! haha! I love it! Go Mary!
  10. jayg
    Dec 21, 2005
    10
    mary has done it again..this cd is off the chain
  11. Lshavers
    Dec 27, 2005
    10
    This CD is Mary coming full circle! I love the whole thing. She talks to everbody on this one! True Mary fans will know know how much she's grown. This is going Triple Platinum for sure.
  12. traceyh
    Dec 31, 2005
    10
    mary is a wonderful singer. I love her because she keeps it real. Not show biz! keep up the great work & we love you in washington nc.
  13. [Anonymous]
    Jan 2, 2006
    9
    Loved this albulm. Her best yet, even better than No More Drama!
  14. Zippy
    Jan 4, 2006
    1
    Uninspired, formula pop/r&b junk. nothing that hasn't been done before. Yawn.
  15. TamN
    Jan 6, 2006
    10
    The bomb! 2004-Usher-2005-Mariah-2006-Mary!!!!!!!
  16. AMac
    Jan 8, 2006
    10
    First let me say "ZIPPY" is on crack to not think Mary J Blige album is not a masterpiece.. The Breakthrough .. is Mary's finest work .. She is absolutely the greatest artist out in music.
  17. JimmyP.
    Feb 1, 2006
    10
    A graeat album, a great artist, a great career. This album is easily one of her best, may I say, since No more Drama, and Mary. Nice Mixture of Samples, and live instruments. Keep Doin ya thing Ms. Blige, I will always buy your stuff.
  18. JamesJ
    Feb 23, 2006
    10
    Had to run it through the CD player a couple of times, but once it grabbed me, I couldn't turn it off
  19. BruceS
    Feb 25, 2006
    10
    Great Album Every Song is great. A young Aretha in the making on a few songs. Truly the future Quuen of Soul and the already proclaimed Queen of Hip-Hop Soul.
  20. MaShawndaG
    Mar 20, 2006
    8
    excellent as usual
  21. viggyr
    Mar 20, 2006
    10
    MAry J. Blige is so good! Be without you is one of my three favorite songs and it probably will be for a long time. She is really the queen of soul.
  22. thandekad
    Mar 22, 2006
    7
    u go gaal let dem know.i lovrd ur album u really tell it lyk it is.love you xxx xxx (fan)
  23. BorisF
    Sep 24, 2006
    8
    a great R&B album but missing the signature mary tracks like "No more Drama" but all in all she shows why she's the Queen of R&B soul with golden lungs and a writing style that many new artist admire
  24. MikeyD
    Jan 15, 2007
    9
    Some of the songs on this album are some of her best vocal perfomances of her career. She's definitely at the top of her game. So what if she's happy, she still has heart!
  25. WileyD
    Dec 21, 2005
    9
    This album is Hot...critics are rarely ever right.
  26. Prince-AlbertJ
    Dec 20, 2005
    10
    This is mary's best song album yet. Strong vocals from mary. Great production. Very Consistent. The drama is over for now folks.
  27. marlonw
    Dec 23, 2005
    10
    This album is clearly oneo f the best R&B albums out this year. It goes beyond the 40 minute clips others have been rushing out since late 2002.
  28. JessiH
    Dec 27, 2005
    10
    Great Album! Lyrics are right on point...it's a classic!
  29. greg
    Dec 28, 2005
    10
    great album. it's real soul at it's best
  30. ReneeS
    Dec 30, 2005
    10
    I this is one on Mary's best albums yet.
  31. MarneeV
    Feb 23, 2006
    8
    Ms. Blige's voice is amazing, although on this cd she is happy, we still appreciate her lovely music. She has creates bedroom music and dancing music. Her 1st single "Be without you" is a hit with everyone. Her voice captures the listners and draws them into her stories.
  32. cjones93
    Dec 9, 2013
    10
    The Breakthrough was just that this was a joy ride cd where Mary seem to have reached the highest praises for this Smash CD and hit Be Without You she shows a power arrange of Hip-Hop and R&B with a hint of soul. This is a must have cd speaking of The Breakthrough!!
  33. Finnnnn
    Feb 28, 2022
    9
    What an iconic and beautiful album. Take Me As I Am and Good Woman Down might be some of my favourite songs ever.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. Amazon.com
    80
    Blige, never far from the thoughts of the lovelorn, didn't need a breakthrough, but anybody with an ear for artful confession will be glad she's given us The Breakthrough anyway.
    Read full review
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    Thankfully returns some of the drama to her music. [23 Dec 2005, p.78]
  3. Los Angeles Times
    75
    Blige self-indulgently lets many songs on "The Breakthrough" run too long but keeps her sound fresh... adeptly weaving beats and live instruments, vocals and rapping, melody and rhythm in configurations alternately stark and lush. [11 Dec 2005]
See all critic reviews »