14-6-09 Can't believe I haven't written a review for the whole of 2009, watch this space...
14-6-09 Can't believe I haven't written a review for the whole of 2009, watch this space...
Member since:02.06.2007
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Spring 2007, and Usher breaks his silence by making an appearance on the track 'Same Girl' with R Kelly and giving gossip blogs on the internet a ridiculous amount of hits with the revelation that he shall be releasing his fifth studio album in November. From that moment on there seemed to be an endless trail of new music from the man himself leaking out of the studio, with fans being very critical how it doesn't sound like something that would have made 'Confessions'. But then again, how did Usher ever really expect to follow-up his 2004 studio album that sold nearly as many copies as all his previous albums put together and topped charts around the world? Being the biggest R&B artist on the planet was certainly about to put a huge onus on Usher Raymond IV to perform on 'Here I Stand'.
With countless delays in an effort to get the sound exactly right, 'Here I Stand' will finally receive its release on May 27th, 2008 -- a mere four years, two months and four days after 'Confessions'. This delay has nothing to do with Usher attempting to slowdown now he is approaching his 30th birthday in October this year, but rather all the hurdles in his personal life he has had to contend with. Usher was scheduled to marry Tameka Foster in July 2007, however the ceremony was abrupty cancelled sparking rumours of a split, only for them to marry in a smaller ceremony a month later. Usher then became a father to Usher Raymond V in November 2007, clearly they take the family name very seriously. In January '08, Usher's father (III) passed away -- this coincided with the release of Usher's fragrances for men and women, 'He' and 'She'.
01, Intro (1.28), 5*
02, Love in this Club ft. Young Jeezy (4.20), 5*
If you've read any of my previous reviews, you would know how critical I am over introductions to albums. 'Intro' is the simply titled beginning to 'Here I Stand', and you will likely be surprised by Usher's vocals on the track. The dramatic performance is likely to be inspired by his broadway experience, having taken on the role of Billy Flynn in 'Chicago' during 2006. The track gives you the impression
that the album is going to be hard-hitting, but in the last ten seconds you can feel the sun coming through the clouds and that there will also be a light-hearted element to the album.
'Love in this Club' shocked many with its chart performance by becoming Usher's eigth US Billboard #1 and showing there is still an audiance out there that loves Usher. This was also Young Jeezy's first number one, although he only makes an appearance as a featured artist -- coincidently Young Jeezy also appeared on a very well received track on Mariah Carey's new album, another artist who struggled to top their 2004 album. Whilst I did not feel it was as an immediate hit as 'Yeah' was, in the club at the moment there isn't a track that will get a bigger cheer than this. If it will still be played in the clubs in five years time like 'Yeah' is, that is another question all together. 'That Girl Right There' ft. Ludacris was originally rumoured to be the first single off the album, although the track was dropped altogether and claimed to just be a promotional aid. The opening six minutes are as close to perfection as an album has ever been.
"All you gotta do is tell me what you sippin' on."
03, This Ain't Sex (4.24), 3*
04, Trading Places (4.28), 3*
05, Moving Mountains (4.58), 5*
Let me give you a small insight into some of the tracks that were left off the album, a couple of note were 'Painter' and 'Flash'. Considering these drew inspiration for lyrics from suggesting 'I'm not a flash in the pan' and asking 'Will you paint me a picture?' it's a surprise that there are so many slightly uninspired left on the project. 'This Ain't Sex' and 'Trading Places' are tracks that will never make it as standalone singles because they go on a little long and aren't exactly radio-friendly. These tracks aren't love making music, but perhaps they do fit into Usher's new vision of married life and he's trying to mix their relationship up a little bit. I feel it would be too inappropriate to even put the lyrics for 'Trading Places' in bold, so I'll just finish this paragraph with, "Ima put it in your ass." A tip for his first anniversary, apparently. 'Moving Mountains' I got really excited about as I heard it featured an appearance from Timbaland, and I couldn't think of any moments when I'd heard of these two artists working together -- not in the modern history of Timbaland's recent revival anyway. I'm not sure where Timbaland actually fits in though, as he is not on the production credits. Instead, you see the name The-Dream as a producer, which is not an unusual sight in 2008. The-Dream has worked with every big artist, and on every large album, so far this year and is poised for his big breakthrough any day now. Rather than singing about sexual positions, 'Moving Mountains' literally feels as though Usher is putting in the effort of moving mountains to bring us what will without a doubt be his ninth US Billboard #1. The video even carries directly on from 'Love in this Club'.
06, What's Your Name? ft. Will.i.am (3.58), 4*
07, Prayer For You (Interlude) (1.43), 5*
08, Something Special (3.57), 3*
'What's Your Name' feels to me as though it is the male-version of Mariah's 'Can I Get Your Number?' off her Mimi album. I usually feel left out in the cold by Will.i.am featured appearances, but fortunately this track is more about Usher and benefits from this.
"I'll do my best to be there for you everyday, to be what my father wished he was to me."
'Prayer For You' is the interlude that sums up Usher's current intentions, and I am not sure if the baby crying in the background his computer generated or straight from the fifths mouth, but the track is almost 'magical' in bringing together three generations of the family. 'Something Special' is R&B with a country/acoustic guitar edge, and you feel the album is in a family-friendly place for the first time ever, and is more than likely a tribute to his current three-member
Pictures of Here I Stand - Usher
Always the usher, never the groom.
family.
09, Love You Gently (3.39), 1*
10, Best Thing ft. Jay-Z (3.54), 3*
11, Before I Met You (4.56), 2*
Unfortunately, 'Love You Gently' is boring and best left unspoken. Luckily the reverse can be said of 'Best Thing' that oozes the charisma of Jay-Z immediately, the rap billionaire. Hearing the pair collaborate on a song almost sounds like the old Usher, as though him and Jay went for a night out without Tameka and Beyonce. The album would not be complete without a production appearance from B Cox on 'Before I Met You', as the pair have worked together on all of Usher's biggest hits including 'Burn' and 'U-Turn'. Maybe B Cox has spent too much time working with Day26 though, as the track comes off more as a one man boyband.
12, His Mistakes (4.59), 4*
13, Appetite (3.58), 5*
14, What's a Man to Do (4.09), 3*
Usher has been out of the scene for so long it maybe hard to believe that he has not yet worked with Ne-Yo, who took over the R&B scene whilst Usher wasn't around with two albums in two years. Usher clearly sings exactly what Ne-Yo has written for him, and in the same way as Ne-Yo has told him to sing it. 'His Mistakes (I Can't Win)' is perfect if you're looking for a soppy ballad. Danja makes his one appearance on the album having been on every huge track last year, and it's looking to go the same way this year with 'Migrate' (Mariah Carey), 'Break the Ice' (Britney Spears) and now 'Appetite'. You can tell Usher's a married man now when he's singing about his wife cooking at home, but having an appetite for another lady. With Usher's track record of being unfaithful I wouldn't feel that great about this track if I was Tameka, but luckily for her she's probably never cooked a meal in her life.
'What's a Man to Do' sounds more like a Jojo ('Leave, get out') track than an Usher track at the beginning, and whilst as a ballad it's not that bad, you do get the feeling it's about time for another hardhitting club track.
"When I look in the mirror, it's the same old me, that my heart is in two different places."
15, Lifetime (4.36), 1*
16, Love in this Club, Part II ft. Beyonce and Lil Wayne (5.09), 3*
'Lifetime', awful. 'Love in this Club' on the other hand is probably one of the most surprising remixes in a long time, as Beyonce and Lil Wayne make an appearance on a fullyfledged revamp of the original. The track is even peforming incredibly well on the US Billboard, currently peaking at #18. This track is more about the 'love' than 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 Love' is a bonus track that is worthy of being 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 girls like groceries and Usher's there with a ring on his finger. 'Here I Stand' does feel like a more grown-up project, but at 30 years old I don't think we can be writing Usher off as a pensioner just yet.
iTunes deluxe edition also includes 'Revolver', 'Love in this Club' (Remix) ft. T.I. and 'Chivalry' ft. Jermain Dupri.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Usher is an absolute legend and you have done justice by writing a review on such a popular guy. Love in this club is exceptional and moving mountains is my favourite. you've got great taste and good writing style
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 ...
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May 25th, 2008
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