Mariah Carey

Editors’ Notes While Mariah Carey packs some beautifully penned tunes into her 1990 debut, the album's centerpiece is, undeniably, her masterful vocals. She lifts, swoops, and howls across an unbelievable five octaves on these smooth ballads and bouncy R&B tunes, hitting spine-tingling registers on “Someday” and “Prisoner,” while getting tenderly deep (and then equally high-range) on the gorgeous “Vision of Love.” “I Don’t Wanna Cry” and “Love Takes Time” showcase her knack for introspection, but nothing bests that voice. It’s simply stunning—especially for a then-unknown 19-year-old.