- News & Reviews FeedUsher - Here I Stand (2008)
Click on CD cover
to listen or purchase |
If 2004 wasn't the year of Usher Raymond IV, then it just wasn't the year of anybody. His fourth studio CD, the eponymous Confessions, sold nearly 20 million copies worldwide, boasted a trio of Number One on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart and gave Usher a record-breaking first; the highest number of first week male R&B sales in Soundscan's 13 year tracking history.
Given that level of success, many artists would recycle the same formula to replicate it, but in his fifth studio CD, Here I Stand, Mr. Raymond confidently pushes the boundaries and trades in Confessions' self-absorption for a new sense of reflection and growth.
Not that Usher's foolish enough to stray from his expected hybrid of soul and hip-hop influence; the players have changed, in other words (Palow Da Don, The Dream, will.i.am), but the game stays the same. His trademark swagger is in full effect on "Love In This Club," "This Ain't Sex" and "Trading Places," a male domination fantasy on wax ("I'm always on top, tonight I'm on the bottom...when I can't take no more, tell me you ain't stoppin'."). His player card is willingly surrendered in "Before I met You," and "Love You Gently" is one of the most sensually rendered ballads in his catalog since "Nice & Slow."
And yes, matrimony and fatherhood, two major components of his life as of late, season Usher's lyrical content and delivery. Instead of being glib about infidelity, the duality of it wears on his conscience in "What's a Man To Do." And instead of letting it burn in his rearview mirror, Usher attempts to repair a fragile union in the tender ballad "Moving Mountains." Another somber moment occurs in "His Mistakes," where Usher opts to walk away rather than be crucified for the first man's sins.
Ambitious and chock-full of star power (Lil Wayne, Jay-Z, Beyonce), does ...Stand have the same continuity as Confessions? Not quite. At 18 tracks (the final one is hidden), its overweening length may test the patience of even his most devoted followers, especially when some of the songs were better left on the cutting floor ("Appetite," "Lifetime"). On top of that, his Michael Jackson influence is still a bit too obvious. But ...Stand, if nothing else, proclaims that Usher Raymond IV is unapologetic about developing artistically and getting his grown man on with his new family in tow. It's a good look for Usher, and true fans will appreciate being a part of this intimate evolution process.
By Melody CharlesComments
Lazy and boring
viciuzurban - May 25th, 2008
The album was time-consuming, boring and lazy, i literally fell asleep. usher talks the talk but he didnt deliver; a re-release is a no brainer considering the lackluster material he was given. he attempted to do the softly softly approach and it backfired, the subtleties never really shone through. it wasnt visionary or forward thinking. it lacked ambition and there wasnt really any insight into the man other than what i already knew or read about him. i expected this type of album from an artist who was releasing his second album not 5 deep into a career. too many throwaway tracks which just add filler to the mix. productions sounds dated, lyrics are cheesy and the whole album lacked consistency, was uneven and uneventful, destroying the listening experience. Ush has the capacity to make solid long-standing test of time songs but yet he regurgitates the most mediocre subject matters and trivial concepts which goes to show just how limited he really is as an artist, im not talking about an entertainer, dancer, entrepreneur. the album’s half flows with the most consistency, although too many missteps, minor particular highlights include before I met you, something special, his mistakes, what’s a man to do. the interludes were corny, and unthoughtful. i was expecting that one great track ode to his new baby ala babyface but it wasnt delivered. maybe he should have enlisted him once again. it ceases to amaze my why “will work for love” is a hidden track, its better than half the crap on the album. save your money kids. I want consistency, not a handful of clevely structured songs and overrated filler jammed in between. when usher finds his stroke, its because of well written lyrics and simple understated production. Much of the new material can easily be compared to his 8701 days. The problem with the “Movings Mountain” video was that it was TOO literal. u dont need to go that route to showcase what the “moving mountains” metaphor means visually, emotionally and peripherally - the lyrics do the job good enough - they failed to comprehend the meaning of the lyrics, theres so much going in there - the gas, the flames, the slow death, the fact that she is haunting him i.e “ghost”, we never really see that she is the one that is hurting, the lies the sorries, what should be in both the minds of Usher or the director predominantly is how that is going to translate onto the screen - doing what they did with the video was too easy and too simpe and a copout, it was predictable and laughable - i mean to have her standing on the mountain doing nothing, lipsyncing parts of the chorus, they could have utilised her better - it should have transition from a domestic setting into the landscape, cutting and running back between both. he should have secured the help of an unknown director or a french one at least - it wasnt epic as some have called it. its amazing what CGI can do to cover up the crappy simple direction of a good track, even the mountain looked fake. he should have flown to siberia or tajikistan for the real thing.
Music
sharonjaye@kazi... - May 28th, 2008
I am the Music Director for KAZI 88.7 FM in Austin Texas. I would love to feature this CD on "The Artist Spotlight". Please respond to sharonjaye@kazifm.org and let me know if you will be sending product to KAZI c/o Sharon Jaye, 8906 Wall Street, Suite 203, Austin, Texas 78754
Thank you
Sharon Jaye
Music Director
kazifm.org
