This is the first Mary J Blige album i have ever heard and i got it for my birthday from a member of the family and i have to say it is actually amazing i loved Just Fine when it was released and this whole album is soo funky with funky beats with the great vibe of R&B which im not usually into i prefer pop but this is great!
Recommend to all R&B lovers and even pop lovers!

I love this album, A big fan of Mary J!! she never disappoints
songs to check out...
Stay Down, Roses, Fade Away, What Love Is
:)

Being a huge fan of MJB's I heard 'Growing Pains' as soon as it was released. I listened to it a couple of times, unfortunately, apart from 'Work That' and 'Just Fine' I didn't immediately get hooked, fearing that I would be disappointed after the Brilliant album 'Breakthrough' and seeing her in concert in 2007 (absolutely fantastic), I 'shelved' it, until recently. After listening to it again, many many many times, I now think it is Excellent, Great, Suberb etc etc !! Sorry I doubted you MJB I will not do it again.

I am so impressed with her album. I was expecting slow jams so didnt play it as soon as it arrived. Well...when I did...I was sooo impressed. Every track absolutely wicked, this album does her so much justice. A 11 out of 10 for me. Flawless. Go Mary....Go Mary......!

Bought this album for the track 'Just Fine' this was my first Mary J. Blige album and was so blown away by the whole package, brilliant lyrics and an amazing voice. I am hooked. Have just bought two more albums and can't wait till the postman drops them on the mat. Fantastic!

This is fab! Im a really big fan of Mary J Blige and this does not disappoint. Once i had managed to take track 3 'Just Fine' off repeat! this is an excellent album.

Another great album from MJB. Highlights of the album have to be the opening 4 songs and Roses. The only let down is that the bonus tracks on the CD are not the same as the ones shown on play.com. Sleep Wakin' is a great track that should have been included

It really is excellent stuff. The tracks blend together like honey from the pot. Loving it, up loud :)

I like her last one and again i like this one. favourite one is just fine.

After the amazing Breakthrough album and it's greatly positive response it would be fair to say that the pressure was on Mary J Blige to produce an equally impressive follow up, and without doubt she has exceeded the expectation. This album is one of rarity in that you will not feel the urge to skip any tracks and in fact, just as rare, the second half is better than the first. The first three tracks (including the brilliant new single "Just Fine")show how much Mary has grown, both as an artist and as a woman and she exudes positivity and enthusiasm for life - it's infectious. "Stay Down" is MJB at her very best and on both "Hurt Again" and "Fade Away" she calmly states her pain and trepidation. She still has bad days and worries but she's grown to get through it. The duet with Usher is maybe not as amazing as you might expect but still a great track and on Roses, Mary is angry that "she's having one of those days" and needs space. Tracks 11-16 are evidence of how great Mary has become and on "Smoke" she demonstrates a side which sounds completely fresh and hooks you in. The closing track (on the US version) "Come To Me (Peace)" is worthy of being a single and is the best closing track she has ever produced. I am unsure whether the UK version will have the excellent collaboration with Eve, "Mirror", but this single alone is worth buying the album for. If you're a fan of Mary you will NOT be disappointed and if you love soul and R'n'B this is a must buy. Give each track a few listens and you'll fall in love with it.