And Friends - Usher

Advantages: Some catchy, fun tracks, good number of tracks, nice mix of ballads and dancier tracks
Disadvantages: Some weaker tracks (see review)

...- Introduction - I've been a fan of Usher ever since I got a copy of his 201 CD 8701. I first heard his single 'You Make Me Wanna' in 1997, though I didn't bother to buy that album but I have previously enjoyed both the 8701 album and the follow up 2004 album, entitled Confessions. Both of those albums I thought had good quality R&B/soul tracks, with a good balance between slower ballads and more upbeat, dance type tracks and I also like them for the fact that the production, I feel, is particularly good, its easy to put one track on and end up listening right through to the end of the album, as each track follows the other quite smoothly, if that, hopefully, makes sense(?). Anyway, so here we are in June 2008 and with the latest album offering from Usher, this time the album is called 'Here I Stand'. As in Confessions... Read review

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Advantages: Lots of big singles
Disadvantages: A couple of the tunes are just average

..."Confessions" is one of the most popular R&B albums ever, and has Usher on top of his game in 2004. This album when on to sell in excess of nine million worldwide, far outdoing anything which he had done prior to this. Unlike most in the UK, I was into Usher's music long before anything in this release, and actually preferred things from "My Way" and "8701" to his switch to Crunk & B, however this is when his big break came through. 1. "Intro" 2. "Yeah!" This was the massive single off the album, and the one which estbalished Usher's position of the mega force in music, and not just one of the top performers in R&B. Here, after gaining the help of Hip Hop's Ludacris and the Atlanta producer, Lil' Jon, Ush is able to come with an amazing fusion, making Crunk & B, which Ciara did a little earlier, and was able to appeal to... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Voice, music, recording
Disadvantages: A couple of weaker links

......Introduction... Following on from my review of Tool's 10,000 days I have decided to review something a little different and it's fair to say there won't be too many people who will like both Tool and Usher as a search on facebook for people who like both artists comes up a blank. Anyway Usher's album My Way was his second album and was released in 1997 it was the album that made him into a star selling over 8 million copies worldwide before he hit the superstar heights with 8701 and Confessions a few years later. ...Album Review... 1.) You make me wanna This was the lead single from the album and is an infectious tale of wanting to leave someone for the person who set you up with your current partner. A tough subject done well with a great beat. I remember dancing to this at school discos. 2.) Just Like Me A hip hop... Read review

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