Growing Pains [CD]

I've been a fan of MJB since she came on the scene. I have all of her cd's. I'm not sure how I missed this one, but I'm glad I was able to purchase it.

I love all of Mary's Cd, I had to buy this one again

Studio album number eight from Mary J Blige is beautiful, a little bit sad, a little bit happy, immaculately played and exquisitely sung in that gorgeous voice: a warm and charming collection of songs in the styles with which Blige has become associated - blues, jazz, hip hop, soul. Sporting a white shift with her strong features in proud profile, Mary J Blige is dressed as the high priestess of self-help for the cover of her latest CD. Although the Queen of Hip Hop Soul has long since quit drugs, got married and found God, the motivational message she began spreading with 2005's triple-platinum-selling The Breakthrough will still be delivered in ghetto-fabulous style. "Growing Pains" doesn't break much musical ground, but it is inspiring to hear 38-year-old Blige maturing with such energy and honesty. The CD is also just a little bit dull. Some of the ballads drag, but the fiery upbeat anthems designed to empower the "grown woman" will certainly inspire a few smiles and starjumps between laundry loads. The album, which includes Mary's Top 10 single "Just Fine" features guest appearances from Ludacris and Usher, and production by The Neptunes, Johnta Austin, Ne-yo, Stargate, Bryan-Michael Cox, Dre and Vidal, Tricky, The Dream and Sean Garrett. Her previous masterpieces that was the becoming of Mary will always come into question because Mary established herself in the Hip Hop/R&B/Soul genre as an artist who had to take the rough with the smooth. She was an artist that fought a tough and hard winding battle, opened up to her darkest moments and fought with her demons, which made for good music. Compelling music in fact. And music that can even be deemed 'classic'. Now Mary has finally found a happy place, an inner pace, her comfort zone. It's good that her self-empowered confidence is reflected in the music. "Growing Pains" leaves the listener no uncertainty as to how she feels today. "You know I love music," she says during the opening bars of "Just Fine". "It makes me move, it makes me wanna have fun!" It's a funky, determined track and the fact that it samples Michael Jackson's "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" gives it a hugely triumphant feel. Plus, its upbeat message is given an inspirational twist because of the long, arduous journey that lies behind its protagonist's getting to feeling "Just Fine". The album definitely has an updated feel complete with good ole contemporary (but mature) R&B with the oldskool sound here and there especially in superb gems like "Hurt Again" (signature Mary), "Feel Like A Woman", "Stay Down", "Work In Progress" (Growing Pains) and "If You Love Me". Apart from those, the album pretty much hit a couple of blunt corners. Mary has nothing to prove with this album though because everything has already been proved. Still the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul without a remarkable doubt, Mary is doing 'just fine'. There's plenty to admire here, not least the musicianship. But mostly there's that voice - strikingly powerful and unique, utterly flawless. My highlights : "Work In Progress"(Growing Pains), "Grown Woman" and "Work That". Have a very pleasant listening experience!

Once again Mary has put out an amazing piece of work. From the jump start she gets you pumped up and energized with amazing background voices and collaborations from other artists. The middle couple of songs takes you on a real romantic spin and the last couple of songs just completes this solid piece of work. This is pure and real and Mary just keeps getting better and better. You keep going girl!!!

i love mjb. i heard some of the tracks on the steve harvey show when she was on the show and from what i heard i have to have this cd. i have all of mary's cds so i was going to get this one whether it was good or not because i am a mjb diehard fan!!!!!!!! GO MARY LUV YA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Except for the nice guess spot from Ludacris on Grown Woman, this set is full of girl power. As a male I still highly enjoy the 1st 3 songs and with the smooth mix from one song to the next enjoy the listening to the rest. Whether you're a long time MJB fan or 1st timer, this is a def must buy.

Mary J. did it with this one! Growing Pains is the best! Mary J. has grown so much as an artist and as a women. I LOVE EVERY TRACK ~ even the slow ones. We really needed this album to show us women how to grow, forgive, forget and love ourselves and then the man in our lives.

I heard the album on the radio, as for all of her albums it sounds real good. I am a long time Mary J fan. She also inspired me in many ways. I love her music and her as a wonderful person.