The Rarities
by Mariah Carey
  • Record Label: Columbia
  • Release Date: Oct 2, 2020
Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 6 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
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  1. The Line of Best Fit
    Oct 12, 2020
    85
    Despite tracks such as “I Pray” and “Save The Day” re-treading the Disney dewiness and naïve optimism of Carey’s earlier ballads, the hardening of the singer’s artistry is palpable across the record.
  2. The New York Times
    Oct 5, 2020
    80
    Many of the songs are strong, but they largely bolster the story Carey has long been telling. The more revealing document, however, might be the second disc of the release: “Live at the Tokyo Dome,” her first concert in Japan, recorded in 1996. This is Carey at the peak — one of the peaks, at least — of her vocal authority and pop fame.
  3. Variety
    Oct 5, 2020
    80
    Even though this is a collection of tracks that, for whatever reason, didn’t make the final cut of her studio albums, she never lets us see her sweat and she’s not about to start now, so don’t expect to find any stains here.
  5. AllMusic
    Oct 9, 2020
    70
    Chronologically sequenced, it presents an alternate, semi-secret MC timeline. It starts with an upbeat Mariah Carey outtake, ends with a 2020 acoustic version of Butterfly track "Close My Eyes," and more importantly contains some prime B-sides.
  6. New Musical Express (NME)
    Oct 5, 2020
    60
    The result: essential listening for members of the Lambily – Carey’s famously loyal fanbase – and an intriguing, sometimes fascinating artefact for everyone else.
  7. Slant Magazine
    Oct 5, 2020
    60
    “Here We Go Around Again,” an unreleased song from Mariah’s demo tape, and “Can You Hear Me,” a Whitney-esque piano ballad from the Emotions sessions, find her in fine voice but offer little insight into Mariah the burgeoning artist. By contrast, a live rendition of the jazz standard “Lullaby of Birdland,” recorded during her 2014 tour, allows Mariah to fully exploit the imperfections of her voice, lending the performance a lived-in authenticity often missing from the earlier tracks.

User Reviews

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User Score
5.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 236 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 91 out of 236
  2. Mixed: 86 out of 236
  3. Negative: 59 out of 236
  1. Bulld-Goz
    Nov 3, 2022
    4
    The sad truth is that "The Rarities" adds nothing notable to Mariah's already hit and miss discography. The tracks are all leftovers thatThe sad truth is that "The Rarities" adds nothing notable to Mariah's already hit and miss discography. The tracks are all leftovers that really aren't worth listening to unless your a die hard fan, the vocals are great but alot of the production is just random especially "Loverboy" 4/10… Full Review »
  2. HonestMuusic
    Nov 4, 2022
    4
    Part way through "The Rarities" you'll find yourself asking Why? Why package a collection of forgettable songs into this project rather thenPart way through "The Rarities" you'll find yourself asking Why? Why package a collection of forgettable songs into this project rather then just releasing them straight to streaming this collection is so poorly put together it feels like an afterthought.… Full Review »
  3. TommyOliver
    Nov 9, 2022
    0
    The 9/11 Lady should have kept this one unreleased, its slow boring and dull.
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