Butterfly
Carey's first post-divorce effort makes passing allusions to her ex-hubby (and label honcho) Tommy Mottola, but it doesn't dwell on them the way many similar projects do. Instead, Carey is right back to her old tricks; cooing trademark melismatic spirals through sexy, beat-heavy hits. Fans will dig the bedroom slink of "Baby Doll," the dripping "Honey" and the infectious title track (reprised, along with a bit of Elton John's "Skyline Pigeon," in "Fly Away"). The highlight is a duet with Dru Hill on Prince's "The Beautiful Ones," which just might be her most pointed commentary on Mottola. --Michael Ruby