8701 was released back in July 2001 by a 22 year old Usher as his follow up from his previous two albums. He was only 15 when he released his first album back in 1994 and since then has gone right up in the chart ratings. He typically sang songs which was firmly within the r n b genre that ... Read review
8701 - Usher
Following on from 1997'sMy Way,8701crowns Usher's position as R&B man of the moment. Never ... more
mind the hype about Michael Jackson, Wacko is going to have some serious competition in years to come. Usher is a rap singer and dance man with a twist. Rather t...
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A review by blonde_girl774 on 8701 - Usher January 16th, 2006
Author's product rating:
Originality
Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics
Standard
Quality and consistency of tracks
Flawless
Value for Money
Good
Advantages:
See review
Disadvantages:
See review
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
8701 was released back in July 2001 by a 22 year old Usher as his follow up from his previous two albums. He was only 15 when he released his first album back in 1994 and since then has gone right up in the chart ratings. He typically sang songs which was firmly within the r n b genre that would be sported by singers such as P Diddy and Ja Rule today yet he also shows hints of a more laidback pop genre as well in this album.
"Intro Lude" is the first track up on the album and only 44 seconds long, it seems to be a regular occurrence of the majority of American artists to open their albums with an interlude or introduction. It's simply a message from Usher to his fans, assuring them he hasn't forgotten about them and now he's back with this offering of an album. This follows smoothly into the second track on the album "U Remind Me" which is a brilliant song in my opinion. It's got a cool beat running underneath it throughout with slightly soulful sounding hip lyrics. The message within it is typically how you often choose your partner based on the fact they remind you of an ex, and in this instance as in most, it's not an ideal situation really. "You remind me of a girl, that I, once knew, see her face whenever I, I look at you, won't believe all the things she put me through, this is why I just can't get with you."
"I Don't Know" features P Diddy and as such that reflects the general mood of the track, it's much more gritty sounding and core hip hop than the previous track. It's very catchy and ideal for any r n b club as it would be a great one to dance to. "I don't know what you came to do girl, what you came to do tonight, but I came to party." The fourth track on the album is "Twork It Out" and has a much more relaxed feel to it than "I Don't Know." It's something that would be classic Craig David in his current era, it's very smooth and with a certain hint of sultry-ness also. It reminds me slightly of Craig David's "7 days" but is much softer and melodic in a sense. A classic love song without the soppy sentiments to it, in fact it's much more raunchy than that "Now that I got you all soaking wet, I bet you know what's coming next, gonna twork it out."
"U Got It Bad" is next up and possibly my favourite track on the album, for anyone that's ever suffered a bit of heartbreak in the time you'll certainly recognise the feelings expressed in this track. The vocals in this track are brilliant, there's times when they are purely acoustic with the minimum amount of backing music showing how effortless singing is to him. "When you say that you love em, and you really know, that everything that used to matter, it don't matter no more." Next up is "Pop Ya Collar" which is a more upbeat track ideal for cool club music, it's got a great beat that's fairly quick throughout it and even hints of jazz music in the background as well. The lyrics are quick and jumpy which create an impatient and energised feel, "Hey ladies, hey fellas, you know you're doing good cos they're jealous, only hate you cos you're a go-getta."
"If I Want To" follows on from the previous track with a classic Ashanti / Ja Rule type feel to the track. The music is fairly upbeat in the opening yet fades out to allow the rather slowed down lyrics to come in. The chorus is brilliant in this, "If I wanted I could take ya from your man, please believe it with my eyes closed, I could have you eating out the palm of my hand." There's quite a quirky feel to this track which also shows an element of sophistication that hasn't really been evident on the previous tracks. "I Can't Let You Go" summons up imagines of a mellow and relaxed track, well I was wrong! It's very emotive and is surely expressing feelings that the majority of people will have felt in the past yet it expresses them in an upbeat way so that you don't feel sorry for yourself! "So much love and hurt and hate, and people screaming it won't work, time and time I say I'm gonna leave, but I can't let you go."
"U Don't Have To" is another fairly upbeat, hip hop sounding track. It's almost a sharp contrast to the mood of the previous song, it's more concerned with the fact that when you're in a relationship you need some trust for it to work and therefore, "You don't have to call, it's okay girl, cos I'm gonna be alright tonight." It's got quite a pop feel to it and may not have been out of place on one of Blue's former releases. "Without You" is basically the interlude for the following song, the music is very soft and smooth throughout. It lasts under a minute before following on into the actual track called "Can You Help Me" which is also fighting its place for my favourite track on the album. His voice flows effortlessly over the music, changing in both speed and tempo yet remaining even throughout. "Can you help me, tell me why you wanna leave, baby help me, without you my whole world is falling apart and I'm going crazy, life's a prison when you're in love alone." Brilliant track!
Next up is "How Do I Say" which has a strong Latino/Spanish feel to it, Jennifer Lopez would maybe have been more at home singing this. However it's not he case, Usher does a brilliant job of toning down his voice and giving it a more wholesome melodic feel to it. "How do I say hello, when I just wanna talk to you, how do I say you're beautiful, when I can't take my eyes off you." "Hottest Thing" is up next and upon the opening I was worried it was going to be some hard core ghetto track but I was pleasantly surprised. It echoes all his tracks on the album, it's smooth and sophisticated and also shows that his voice does have range to it - he can go very low! "Oh you're the hottest thing, in the club tonight, having visions of making love tonight with you."
"Good Ol' Ghetto" is the penultimate track on the album and if I'm honest it's my least favourite track on the album. It takes rather a while to get going and once it does I can't help feel that the beat is rather monotone throughout and as such there doesn't really seem to be any progression with the track. "Hey Yo Hey Yo ain't nothing like some good ol' ghetto, Hey Yo Hey Yo Hey Yo Hey Yo ain't nothing like some good ol' ghetto ask somebody." The last track on the album is "U-Turn" which is quite a good one to finish with, it's fairly upbeat so gives a great ending to the album. "Put your hands up, bend your knees, bounce around in a circle, get down wit me."
I personally really like this album and think that it is his best one to date. Every track has got an element of life to it and there's no track that merely echoes a previous one or a track that is rather energy lacking. It's a really energising album in my opinion with something for every mood, although the overall feel to the album is fairly upbeat. There's a great mixture of producers also on this album including input from The Neptunes, Baby Face and P Diddy. And although this was produced over 4 years ago now it still stands the test of time in my opinion. If you like any of Usher's other work then you'll certainly find something to satisfy you on this album.
Advantages: Superb production from the Neptunes and alike. Great beats and soulful vocals! Disadvantages: P.Diddy is a great disappointment
...This has all changed in 8701 and it is clear that Usher has become a well-rounded musician. The album has a range of beats mostly fuelled by his famous guitar interludes and charismatic vocals that motor the albums instrumentals. The guitar introductions are a nice touch to the album and often finish songs to a high quality. 8701 has a wide range of musical vibes for a range of tastes and peoples. For instance tunes such as Hottest thin’ brings a ... ...slow and soothing essence to 8701. This is all respective of the fact that Usher has developed from a teenage target audience to a more adult and intelligent audience. The subject matter that is based around the foundation of 8701 also implies this fact. The tracks are more concentrated on life as a hole and love whereas My Way was more about teenage girls and immature relationships. Usher’s emotive vocals and introspective soulful tones are an essential ...
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Advantages: Great Music Disadvantages: Nothing At ALL!
Ok, Ok...
I admit I have a 'little' thing for Usher! Well actually a rather 'HUGE' crush on him! He is so incredibly lovely and he now has a matching album to go with his charming looks, a charming album named '8701'!!! This album is Ushers second now, it has been out for quite a while now and I know many, many people who have this album, mates from both sexes find this as a 'have to have' CD in your collection! I have owned this CD for a while ... ...sad but it is basically that good!) Whats so 'UsHeRLiCiOuS' about this '8701' then hey!?
usher 8701
1. The album is introduced with an 'Interlude' The Interlude to '8701' It's short and snappy but tuneful and a great introduction to the album.
2. U Remind Me - Usher released this song so is most probably well known to most. Its a great track and you can see why it has been released. It is interesting, catchy and pure RnB at it's best. 3. I Don't ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
This album is Ushers second now, it has been out for quite a while now and I know many, many people who have this album, mates from both sexes find this as a 'have to have' CD in your collection! I have owned this CD for a while now and listen to it 24/7
Whats so 'top class' about this '8701' then hey!?
usher 8701
1. The album is introduced with an 'Interlude' The Interlude to '8701' It's short and snappy but tuneful and a great introduction to ... ...this song so is most probably well known to most. Its a great track and you can see why it has been released. It is interesting, catchy and pure RnB at it's best. 3. I Don't Know (featuring P. Diddy) - This is more 'RAP' style, a slight twist to the album, a fab duet with the one and only P.diddy really adds even more class to the '8701' album.
4. Twork It Out - The first real slow song to the album, a great one at that. Very moving, loving but ...
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Advantages: The funky upbeat tracks are really great Disadvantages: Nothing really
...anywhere near as good as 8701. Then I heard that the song "Yeah" which I loved, was quite a rare type of song on the album, that it was mostly ballads. And I generally prefer the more upbeat Usher track so I've refrained from buying the new one.
However, on 8701, it is rare that you come across a track that ISN't funky and upbeat. It is one of the few albums that I can virtually listen all the way through, without skipping anything (and it has the ... ...just does not compare to 8701. Usher's voice is much stronger and in general his songs are too. He's obviously got a lot of help behind him with great co-writers and producers, but he has contributed to the writing in the album and I think this helps in terms of putting his own personal experiences into songs. I hope his new tendency towards ballads isn't a sign of his maturity because its a worrying thought that we might not get the "fun" Usher ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: soooooooo sexy!! Disadvantages: The slow songs
This is an excellent album, Usher obviously put a lot of thought into each individual song (unlike a lot of albums I have bought recently where they would have their chart songs and then an album filled rubbish to fill it up)
Before I bought this album I hadn't actually heard any songs off of it I had only ever heard 'you make me wanna' from his last album which was excellent. So you can imagine my relief to find it was worth the money.
Since I ... ...because I just want to listen to it all the time especially number 7 which is by far the best song on this fabulous album.
Every song is easy to listen to and sing along with. Here is a recap of each song...
1) Intro
2) U remind me: 7/10 when I first heard this song I thought it was brilliant but then I am afraid I listened to it too much and now I am a bit sick of it. But still a good song though.
3) I don't know: 7/10 This is also a good song ...
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Advantages: All his best singles Disadvantages: Some weak tracks
..."8701" is the third studio album from the R&B superstar Usher. The name of this comes from the the years which Usher's career had been entertaining, from 1987-2001, at that time. This album managed to achieve a #1 in this country as well as five singles of which none did worse than a top-twenty. I believe that this album was the peak of this performers career however, many would say that the LP following this, "Confessions" was greater due to its awards and sales.
Usher's style was a lot different from what was seen later on in the 2004 album as it contained many less slow songs, all about relationships and such, this does have a similar theme but, he sings about it differently here as the music is funkier, something good to dance to.
1. "Intro-Lude 8701" (intro)
2. "U Remind Me"
**Five Stars**
This is an example...
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Advantages: All the hits Disadvantages: Qutie a few tracks are weak in comparison to the hit singles
...'Usher X2' is an album which compiles two of usher's best albums up until the release of this double LP. Out of the threee studio albums the team had to choose out of I feel that it was correct to opt for these and leave out "Usher", his debut album. I feel this way because no songs stood out in that like in these do.
"My Way" came as Usher's second album, the preceeding one came without many successful hits. It was released by LaFace records in 1997.
"My Way" came as Usher's second album, the one prior to it came without many successful songs. It was released by LaFace records in 1997. Its quite a short album from the artist, and was the first I had heard from him. The singles from the album had been my favourite Usher songs for a long time, lasting until the release of "8701".
1. "You Make Me Wanna"
This is one of my favourite...
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...Usher is a massively famous artist all over the world! he has sold more records than anyone in the last two years. His first album was called my way, and was a quiet success. So he decided to release this phenomenal album "8701". It went straight to the top of the charts when released. It has 4 number ones on it, which are
U remind me
U got it bad
Pop ya collar
hottest thing
and U turn
The album has 16 songs and an introduction, when first came it was £15.99 but now because it is quite old you can buy it for as little as £4. Here are the sogs on the CD and there length:
Intro lude 0.45
U remind me 4.27
I don't know featuring. P.Diddy 4.27
Twork it out 4...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful
Label / Distributor: LaFace / Sony Music/Arvato Services
Pieces in Set: 1
Studio / Live: Studio
Stereo: Stereo
Format: Performer
EAN: 743218747120
Catalogue Number: 74321874712
Additional notes
Album Notes: This is an Enhanced CD which contains regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files, which include a digital photo gallery and a music video for "U Remind Me." Personnel includes: Usher, P. Diddy, Kelis (vocals); Jermaine Dupri (vocals, various instruments); Soulshock (various instruments, turntables); Pharrell Williams, Chad Hugo, Jimmy Jam, Terry Louis, Babyface, Bryan-Michael Cox, Karlin (various instruments); Dave Barry (acoustic guitar); William "Billy" Odum, Juan "Johnny" Najera, LaMarquis Jefferson (guitar); Valdez Brantley (keyboards, programming); Arthur Strong, James "Big Jim" Wright (keyboards); Stokley (drums); Alex Richbourg (programming); Sheree Ford-Payne, Bria Fuentes, Raymond Ford, Tajuanna Ford (background vocals). Producers include: Edmund "Eddie Hustle" Clement, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, The Neptunes, Jermaine Dupri. Engineers include: John Frye, Mark Rains, Bryan Garten. "U Remind Me" won the 2002 Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance. "U Don't Have To Call" won the 2003 Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance. R&B mack daddy Usher puts a lot of himself into 8701; that's apparent even from the title itself, which represents the year Usher began exploring the world of music ('87) and the place where music brought him by the time of this recording ('01). He starts thing out in grand style with the romantic "U Remind Me." "I Don't Know" takes a hip-hop turn with a contribution from P. Diddy (that's Puff Daddy for those of you arriving late), but Usher is quick to point out that he's strictly about partying and loving, not about thug life. While there are some amped-up, percolating tunes that make good use of Usher's high energy ("I Can't Let U Go"), he really hits his stride when he falls into the familiar position of heartthrob/crooner. His sensual cooing, breathy tone, and smooth-as-silk delivery on the likes of "Can U Help Me" (Usher seems to have graduated from the Prince school of song titles) and "How Do I Say" play to this charmer's strengths and are sure to keep the sizable female quotient of his audience sufficiently entranced.
Album Reviews: Rolling Stone (8/30/01, p.125) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...His velvety voice and sky-high tolerance for crooning about girls are on full display....Usher's vocals are impressively adaptable....8701's wispy slow jams and booming club cuts strike a sweet nerve." Vibe (9/01, pp.235-6) - 3 discs out of 5 - "...A steady flow of bump'n'grind promises to the ladies....managing to bring some worthwhile dishes to the table....A consistent 3rd album that has a good chance amongst a marketplace overflowing with crooning R&B clones..."
Titles on disc 1
1.: Introlude 8701
2.: U Remind Me
3.: I Don't Know - Usher & P. Diddy
4.: Work It Out
5.: U Got It Bad
6.: Pop Ya Collar
7.: If I Want To
8.: I Can't Let U Go
9.: U Don't Have To Call
10.: Without U (interlude)
11.: Can U Help Me
12.: How Do I Say
13.: Hottest Thing
14.: Good Ol' Ghetto
15.: U Turn
16.: TTP
17.: Separated
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