...
4 years later, comes his 5th studio album 'Here I Stand', not selling as well as his last, but still doing reasonably well none the less. Although it seems he peaked with his latter album, oh well. The original track line up included work with Timbaland and Mario Winans, but strangely, ... Read review
Here I Stand - CD
Forever Young Love In This Club featuring Young Jeezy This Ain't Sex Trading Places ... more
Moving Mountains What's Your Name featuring will.i.am Prayer For You Interlude Something Special Love You Gently Best Thing featuring Jay-Z Before I Met You ...
A review by MarcoG on Here I Stand - Usher August 2nd, 2008
Author's product rating:
Originality
Lacking inspiration
Lyrics
Standard
Quality and consistency of tracks
One hit and lots of B-sides
Value for Money
Poor
Advantages:
The CD works very well as a compact mirror
Disadvantages:
Tracks 2 - 19
Recommend to potential buyers:
no
Full review
Introduction: Usher…no not the person who opens your doors or tells you which side of the church to sit on, we're talking about the 29 year old pop/r'n'b singer from Texas. He first brought attention to himself back in the 90s with the hit song, 'You Make Me Wanna' (charting at #2) and then went on to have big chart success with 8 more number 1's, appearred in a few films and even went on to star on Broadway in 'Chicago'. Arguably his biggest single to date was 'Yeah!' (charting at #1, and staying there for 6 weeks) from his 2004 album 'Confessions'.
4 years later, comes his 5th studio album 'Here I Stand', not selling as well as his last, but still doing reasonably well none the less. Although it seems he peaked with his latter album, oh well. The original track line up included work with Timbaland and Mario Winans, but strangely, they never made it onto the album. Maybe that's testament to the quality of the album, as surely the other tracks must be good, or they wouldn't need work by such prolific industry big shots…ah hem…let's pretend we didn't say that and move swiftly on.
This album has been described as Usher's take on growing up and becoming a man. His previous efforts were hailed more as the 'fun' Usher - having nights out, enjoying himself, but with 'Here I Stand' we hear a more intimate reflection and self analysis of the man he has become. Joy!
The Album:
1) Forever Young 4.23 This song instantly introduces to the 'new' sophisticated Usher. And, indeed he does sound like a more diverse performer as he confidently takes us through this ballad, with dips and caresses of a more bluesy number, that leaves echoes of the way that Christina Aguilera gave a more heart felt approach to her album 'Stripped'.
2) Love In The Club (feat. Young Jeezy) 4.19 And it just goes downhill from there. Sorry, ok, yes this was his first single, but it's so bland and generic sounding and choral sentiment is laughable - he wants to make love in this club? What is he, some kinky exhibitionist? Although, I can't say I wouldn't mind copping a load of Usher in his skimpies, but puh-lease, the thought of him doing the rudies in a club, quite frankly makes me want to be sick. The overall sound is like a ballad thrown on top of an R'n'B mid tempo hash. Rubbish!
3) This Ain't Sex 4.24 A lot more soulful with licks of beats, that make this track much more steady and bop-your-head-along-esque. Usher, seeming to be somewhat nympho, tells us how he doesn't have sex, but rather…he 'makes' love…well quite frankly dear, anyone who wants have sex in public places, namely a sweaty club, has to go a long way to convince us that he a gentleman who corrects the terminology and reference to love making. (I also like how he eloquently uses the word 'aint')
4) Trading Places 4.28 Now, if you didn't agree that Usher has a one track mind, this song should confirm it. Again we have here a mid tempo song, a few notches up from a ballad. But, instead of perhaps (considering the title) expecting some rhetoric about class divide or the struggle for financial freedom, think again, as with 'trading places', Usher is referring to 'top' or 'bottom'…delightful.
5) Moving Mountains 4.00 O joy, another slow one, with an essence of trying to be a credible, beaty track. Vocally, he sounds whiny and miles away from the so-called 'mature' Usher. Hmmm. This is his second single from the album…never mind!
6) What's Your Name (feat. Will.I.Am) 3.58 This is probably the first interesting track on the album, thanks to the dabblings of Black Eyed Peas' front man, Will.I.Am. It has a more rounded and developed sound, sythny with drips of r'n'b but with a more overall experimental feel. Not incredibly memorable, but still, probably one of the best so far on the album.
7) Prayer for You Interlude 1.43 Where's the bucket? Who the blinky blonky thought it would be a good idea to hear a baby grumbling and crying on a track? Just when you thought you couldn't stand to hear babies cry, they go and put it on his record, nice! The baby is question, is Usher's son, who has obviously given him enough joy to include him on the record, that is obviously dedicated to him. Some people will call it cute, I call it annoying. If I wanted to know about his babies, I would read OK! Magazine! Get on with bringing us the good records please mr.Usher, enough of this 'I have a baby and will sing to him' shananagins!
8) Something Special 3.57 Before I heard this, judging by the content of the album thus far, I thought, I bet I know what this song is about…shock horror I was wrong. The something special isn't what he's hiding down his pants, he's singing about the relationship he has with his lady, hurrah! This one sounds much more acoustic. Think Extreme's 'More Than Words', but slightly faster, with an r'n'b flair…and oh yeah, nowhere near as good!
9) Love You Gently 3.39 O goodie…another ballad…what happened to the songs along the ilk of 'Yeah!'…sappy nonsense this is! No prizes for guessing the theme of this number…next track please…bored now!
10) Best Thing (feat. Jay-Z) 3.54 Ok, that's better, he's picked up the pace a bit, but not by too much. With the help of Mr.Beyonce this track is certainly a few cuts above the mindless drivvle we've heard so far. Ok, so that's a bit harsh, but this one does stand out so far. Althogugh I have heard much better collaborations with Jay-Z, maybe he doesn't want to give too much away?
11) Before I Met You 4.56 This song isn't bad, but I don't know, maybe I've grown to instantly dislike every song on the album before I hear them. The chorus is catchy and he sounds much stronger vocally, but there's something about this song that makes me think that I've heard it before. Unless of course it is a cover, but in any case, it's not as good as I feel it should be.
12) His Mistakes 4.59 What is it with all these 5 minute songs? Value? Yes. Quality? Hmm. Surprise surprise, another slow one, again a notch above you're typical ballad, but still I'm left wondering when I'm going to hear something that is distinctively different from everything else, or that makes me sit up and think 'what an artist!'
13) Appetite 3.58 Ok, this is a step forward. A faster track with more dance potential, but still not quite up there. Lyrically, believe it or not, the ever reserved Usher is singing to us about his appetite for the ladies. Whether or not this is a purposefully lead campaign to clear up and confusion over his sexuality, what with the ambiguity of his 'top' or 'bottom' dilemma in track4, it still doesn't have that most important message of 'Listen up, I am a singing force to be reckoned with, move over Mr.Jackson'. (I'm referring to Michael, incase anyone thought I meant Randy…you know you thought it!)
14) What's a Man to Do 4.09 I like this one, about time really. It reminds me of Rihanna's song 'Hate How Much I Love You'. It has an overall ballad approach, but disguised rather skillfully into a much better paced song. There are highs and lows that give light and shade, giving this track more complexity than most on the album so far. Vocally sound, yet lyrically dull. We were nearly there though!
15) Revolver 3.16 Is this about a gun, or someone who likes to turn on the spot a lot? There is far too much falsetto on this song, making Usher sound like he's in a competition with Mr.Timberlake. He tells us how a close personal lady friend of his, is like a Revolver, because she's spiteful and can cut him up. Why waste the time writing a song about it then…especially if it's not that good!
16) Lifetime 4.36 This is getting ridiculous. More sappy and slow drivvle. Skip skip skip
17) Love In This Club pt2 (feat. Beyonce, Lil Wayne and Young Jezzy) 5.09 In case we didn't hear his fetish loud and clear last time, here he comes again, with a whole 309 seconds (yes, I can add up) of it. This time enlisting the help of more 'rent-an-artist' friends, in the name of Mrs.Jay Z (of course I mean Beyonce) and someone called Wayne (who is little apparently) and some other Jezzy. So what have we learnt? Well, it would appear that Usher needs to fill his album and this is the only way he can feel fit do so. Shame. If you want to know what I thought of it, reread what I wrote for Track2, but imagine a slow and painful death at the same time. That should sum it up.
18) Here I Stand 4.10 This song is slow, sappy and far too sentimental than is good for an album, comprising of such things. However, paradoxically, I like it. Which is lucky, as it is the album's title track, there is always a strange sense of pressure for those songs to be good'uns. I would rather this song was sung by a group such as 'Boys2Men' as I think they would do a better job, but all in all, it's really not that bad…if you like that kind of thing…which I don't really…strange, n'est pas?
19) Will Work for Love 3.16 For Lordy's sake Usher, will you just be quiet already! Ok, that is harsh too, as this song isn't that bad, but guess what, it isn't that great! Its far too self righteous and oozing with mistaken sensibilities of 'I am a grown up, I will make things work for me, I will love rightly' - whatever Usher! Blah blah blah…just sing us a song that we can tap our feet too and not need to go on a course of prozak to lift our spirits!
Album rating: 4/10 (he gets an extra point for being pretty)
So, what have we learnt today? Since listening to this album, I've learnt that Usher doesn't do good music anymore. I've learnt that Usher has a strange penchant for exhibitionism and may be doing far too many rudies out of doors (especially in nightclubs) than is legal. I've learnt that Beyonce probably got jealous (no idea why) that her husband did a song with Usher, so she had to do one too. I've also learnt that I regret not borrowing this album before I bought it, thus saving myself a tener. I've learnt that 19 is really too high a number for the amount of tracks on such a poor album. Oh, and I've also learnt that Usher has a son, and that I couldn't care less.
Advantages: A few hits Disadvantages: Not all of the highest quality
...the previous albums appears on here providing the beats. After what he came with in 2004, you would expect something just as big, and I think this just may be it. The set up for this track is simialr for that which was used in Jaheim's "Just In Case", but in this situation he isn't just declaring love, he's confessing to elements of his past which he has kept secret, but at this time growing up he is forced to say what he was like prior to releasing ... ...and T.I. has come through here in a Crunk & B form as this is clearly a combination of Crunk and R&B, but it takes a good minute to get into because it starts off slow, but then explodes into a hardcore tune. The theme of "Before I Met You" kind of follows through into this track as he says this is a true story of attemping to settle his appetite for other women, but is forced not to do so, because he has grown to see that he is aware of what could ...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Originality
Lyrics
Quality and consistency...
Value for Money
very helpful
27.05.2008
HERE HE IS Review ofHere I Stand - Usherby
nathaninnit
Advantages: 'Love in this Club', 'Moving Mountains', 'Appetite' Disadvantages: 'Love You Gently', 'Before I Met You', 'Lifetime'
...the 'club'. *17, Here I Stand (4.10), 4*
*18, Will Work For Love (3.16), 4*
'Here I Stand' was always a very open and honest title for an album, asking people to take Usher for what he is and no longer having any secrets. Of course Usher got all them off his chest in 'Confessions'. The track sounds more like a suited and booted Usher standing up next to a piano at a dinner party and singing his heart out. Just lacks some emotion. 'Will Work For ... ...named a fullyfledged track as Usher does his Oliver impression, although he wants love instead of food. "Excuse me mister, I fell on hard times, I need some help."'
In 2001, Usher had everyone dancing with a long-string of tracks using the abbreviation 'U' instead of the world 'you'. 2004 Usher makes all the teenage girls wish their boyfriends were more emotionally involved, not to mention the six-pack. Now it's 2008 and Young Jeezy is bagging ...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Originality
Lyrics
Quality and consistency...
Value for Money
very helpful
25.05.2008
Ushers back! Review ofHere I Stand - Usherby
IzzyS
Advantages: Some catchy, fun tracks, good number of tracks, nice mix of ballads and dancier tracks Disadvantages: Some weaker tracks (see review)
...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, an album which he used to air some of his dirty laundry, this album also apparently features tracks where he speaks about things that he has had experience of himself, the main example of this that springs to mind being 'Whats A Man To Do'. Read on for more information...
- What type of music ... ...to. 17 - Here I Stand - This is another slower track. Its not particularly memorable, other than for being the title track the album is named after (presumably anyway). It is quite slow, with, yet again, a piano in the background and an ok beat. Its pretty average really... 18 - Will Work For Love - This is one of, if not my one, favourite track from this album. Its very catchy, has a nice up beat feel to it and is easy to sing along to. Its a song ...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: A good story-like trip with some outstanding tracks Disadvantages: A few mis-placed and weaker tracks must be put up with
...in "Chicago". The mood here is black and leaves you wondering whether this is going to be an enjoyable album, but, as we reach climax, the mood lightens and we get what we paid for, a commercial Usher.
The second track provided Usher's first official single from the album and also the first track on the album to feature another artist, Young Jeezey. Radios have given much airtime to this track, "Love in this Club" and it's up-tempo beat together ... ...time. It's probably not got the clubbing staying power of "Yeah" but it's certainly worthy of it's No1 status.
Tracks 3 and 4 are rather dull. Stand-alone singles they are not. Neither "This Ain't Sex" nor "Trading Places" seem worthy of this album. The electronic beat of "This Ain't Sex" is replaced with a piano in "Trading Places" but both tracks are long and, although perhaps reflecting Usher's newly married status, don't really hit the mark.
...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Guest appereances, Usher Disadvantages: Some tracks are out of level.
...Beyonce & Lil Wayne
17. Here I Stand
18. Will Work For Love
-------------------------------------------------
The album actually follows it's own form of growth and development as it progresses.
The opening track, "Love In This Club", is dealing with seeing a girl at the club and lusting after her.
Tracks like "Moving Mountains", "Lifetime" and "Here I Stand" are dedications to a woman and a steady relationship. The former is a heartfelt apology ... ...in nature.
-----------------------------------------------
Tracks which are worth listening.
-----------------------------------------------
Well there are some of the tracks that I enjoyed, with pleasure, more than the others.
"Trading Places" as its a different and much better from the rest, dealing with a change in of the accepted roles between men and women when it comes to love. Kind of what Ciara's "Like A Boy" should have been, but done ...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Body On Me Disadvantages: No longer seems relevant to the market
...'s presence in a track isn't well received by me in 2008, I think most people have grown out of Snoop by now, but Nelly's take on Los Angeles is getting along the right lines.
*04, Long Night ft. Usher (3.21), 2*
*05, Lie ft. St Lunatics (4.26)
*06, Party People ft. Fergie (4.04), 3*
I was genuinely excited by the idea of an Usher collaboration on the album, although I guess when all the featured artists have been so bad up to this point you learn not to get overly excited. Unfortunately, this track sums up exactly where Nelly and Usher's careers are at. 'HereIStand' was a disappointment on the whole, whilst there has been nothing yet on 'Brass Knuckles' to prove that Nelly can still hang with the likes of Lil Wayne. Maybe I have been living under a rock when it comes to the early days of Nelly's career, but St Lunatics are actually...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Advantages: Summer '08 car fodder music Disadvantages: Nearly 30, so must think he's becoming a man
...Feel' is going to be forgettable, and it is hardly the biggest album of Spring '08 when you consider what we've had from Mariah Carey and have coming up from Usher ('HereIStand' next month). This is not the last we've heard from him, but if you do not know the story behind William's music you are unlikely to enjoy it....
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Advantages: New tracks make it the complete project Disadvantages: Very little difference to the original
...artist in Fergie, ex-Black Eyed Peas, not to mention the release of Usher's 'HereIStand' on the same day -- an album that carrys high expectations after his work on 'Confessions'. But then again, if you want to talk high expectations then you do not have to look any further than 'Good Girl Gone Bad' where Rihanna needs to find away to top this project with a 2009 album release. Her evolution should be just beginning....
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Label / Distributor: LaFace / Sony Music/Arvato Services
Pieces in Set: 1
Studio / Live: Studio
Stereo: Stereo
Format: Performer
EAN: 886973136928
Catalogue Number: 88697313692
Additional notes
Album Notes: Following the nine-times platinum CONFESSIONS, Usher had a tall order to fulfill with 2008's HERE I STAND. To his credit, the R&B sensation didn't merely replicate CONFESSIONS, but instead moved into new thematic territory while still remaining true to his now-patented silky-smooth urban contemporary sound. Lyrically, HERE I STAND reflects Usher's commitments as a husband and father, with songs like "Before I Met You" and "Lifetime" replacing the wild narratives of his bachelor days. R&B's premiere player seems to have grown up. But even given Usher's maturity on this set, there's plenty to please the legions of fans used to his sensual, stylish music. Opener "Love in This Club" is a soaring, thumping anthem featuring a spot by Young Jeezy, while "Part II" boasts appearances by Beyonce and Lil Wayne. "Best Thing," featuring Jay Z, blends hip-hop with Usher's sweet soul. But the album's real highlights--moments like "Trading Places" and the old-school-sounding "Something Special"-- feature Usher's sexy, elastic voice unleashed to full effect, reminding listeners that just because Usher is settling down doesn't mean that he's getting stale.
Album Reviews: Entertainment Weekly (p.120) - "[A] good portion of STAND's tunes deserve a place in the dance-floor pantheon..." -- Grade: B+
Titles on disc 1
1.: Forever Young
2.: Love In This Club - Usher & Young Jeezy
3.: This Ain't Sex
4.: Trading Places
5.: Moving Mountains
6.: What's Your Name - Usher & Will.I.Am
7.: Prayer For You (interlude)
8.: Something Special
9.: Love You Gently
10.: Best Thing - Usher & Jay-Z
11.: Before I Met You
12.: His Mistakes
13.: Appetite
14.: What's A Man To Do
15.: Revolver
16.: Lifetime
17.: Love In This Club (part 2) - Usher & Beyonce/Lil' Wayne
18.: Here I Stand
19.: Will Work For Love
Ciao
Listed on Ciao since : 16/05/2008
Compare Here I Stand - Usher to other similar House, R&B, Soul & Rap
