Here I Stand - Usher > Reviews > Usher stands out

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Thought-provoking
Quality and consistency of tracks	Flawless
Value for Money	Excellent

Advantages:	Great music and lyrics, vocals
Disadvantages:	Nothing

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

**Introduction**

Following the release of his previous album Confessions Usher Raymond has got married and also become a father. Now aged 29 he releases his fifth studio album and one of the most anticipated album releases of the 21st century so far. This album charts the time between Confessions and brings you right up to The present day.

Album production comes from some stellar names as you would expect as Usher produces along with longtime contributor Jermaine Dupri and also from new partnerships with producers like Will I am, Polow Da Don and Bryan Michael Cox who worked with Usher on Confessions Pt2.

**Here I Stand**

1.) Intro

This is a short introduction to the album and opens with an orchestra and then a pounding drum which stops and then a classical piano comes in with Usher's voice sounding so emotive as he sings his way through the lyrics. This get's the album off to a great start.

2.) Love In This Club

This is this albums equivalent to Usher's massive hit "Yeah". This track is about the moment when you are in a club with someone you are really attracted to and want to get down to business with them. This has a great beat and the vocals flow through the track brilliantly.

3.) This Ain't Sex

This is a great mid tempo track which Usher performed on some TV shows arouhnd the world in the build up to the album. This is about making love on another level than sex. A real connection between the two of you. This song is so catchy and is one of the funkiest tracks on Here I Stand.

4.) Trading Places

This opens with a pounding drum beat and then a piano comes in. I love the way the drum beat moves along throught the song and this is a great track about giving something back to your partner and doing things for them that they have done for you. More songs should be like this.

5.) Moving Mountains

This was the first song I heard from the album before it was released as this was one of the first comfirmed tracks that would be on Here I Stand when it was uploaded on his Myspace page on 21st May. This track is essentially a ballad but has a great beat that reminds me of Justin Timberlake's My Love in the way the two different sounds fuse together,

6.) What's your name

This track is a funky electro number which features Will I Am from The Black Eyed Peas. This is a really upbeat funky track which has a great feel to it. This would be a great club hit if it was released as a single, As you would expect from Will I am this is a funky hip hop track.

7.) Prayer for you (Interlude)

This is a gorgeous interlude which features Usher's baby son crying and then Usher singing to his baby son in an amazing falsetto which sounds so tender and emotive. A Great tribute to his son.

8.) Something Special

This is a great track that is one of the older sounding tracks on the album, This has a funky guitar and although it isnt as good as the very best on the album it is still a great track that has great appeal to any of his fans.

9.) Love you gently

This is a good track which features Usher sounding like finds singing so easy. This is a great track for all that is going on in the track, A big beat with the light touch of the piano. Not the best but not bad at all.

10.) Best Thing

This is a duet with Jay Z and it features Jay Z opening the track withb his very distinctive voice. This is such a catchy song which gives you the urge to dance. This could become a dance hit too if it is released as a single.

11.) Before I Met You

This is a track that's music has hints of what to me sounds like a games soundtrack preferably a car game. This is another track that would be a good idea, In this song he talks to his wife about his life before she came along.

12.) His Mistakes

This track is one of my favourite of the hangers on. This track is about telling your new partner that you are not like their ex who cheated on them and treated them badly. This song doesnt have that isntant sparl of the best though. Paying for someone else's mistakes.

13.) Appetite

This is a really interesting track as it opens with a great authorative intro. This is about Usher struggling with his playa past as he settles down. A great track that has a great message to anyone

14.) What's a man to do

This is the most poppy track on the album, the guitar sounds like it came off a pop record. Probably the albums worst song even hoih. This does have a great flow to it and the combo of drum beat and acoustic guitar makes this track one of the nost i

15.) Revolver

This is about a relationship that isnt working out and causing heartache for you. A grea track which has a catchy feel but keeps the emotive quality of the subject to great effect and Usher's vocals are superb as they are throughout the album.

16) Lifetime

This is a gorgeous up tempo track which features Usher moving in and out of a gorgeous falsetto and with the thom, Some gteay stories of lust and relatinshuo,]

17) Love In This Club Py2

This is a remix version of the great lead single. This version features Beyonce Knowles and Lil Wayne. This is a great track that has enough about it to be seperated from the original version and be included on this album.

18) Here I Stand

This is a lovely ballad that has an old style feel. Usher sounds amazing in this superb ballad. This is about Usher's life as he sees it at the moment of recording the album and what he feels about his wife and son. A gorgeous track in every way.

19.) Will Work for love

This is a superb end to Here I Stand. This track tells the tale of a heartbroken Man trying to find love. One of the most unique tracks Usher has done and superbly worked. This is a real treat at the end of a very good album indeed.

**Overall**

There we are, Nineteen tracks on Here I Stand and not one Bad Apple in the whole album. Usher seems to be able to record so many great tracksm for every album. 17 for 8701, 21 for Confessions and now 19 for Here I Stand. This album is really worth listening right through which you can't say that about many albums. There are unlikely to be many better albums released this year. Usher is set to stay one of the biggest stars in music for some years to come, that is for certain.

Also posted on dooyoo as Lakerfanster