Here I Stand

i had to edit my review to say that i really like this one. favorite song is "someting special". i must admit like some of the other reviewers, this wasn't his best and it's a different sound but it just shows he's maturing with his sound and style.

At first it had to grow on me, now I'm hooked. Here I Stand has a very mature sound and is very different from his past cd's. Usher is like a fine wine, he gets better w/time. Now, don't get me wrong I have all of his cd's and just to listen to the difference in his sound is amazing. He is always transforming.

Here I Stand, Usher's first album since 2004's uber-hit Confessions, is your standard Usher disc. Ridiculously built lothario with velvet pipes sings about sex, declarations of love, sex, contemplations of love past, and, uh, more sex. There is one little thing, however, that quite effectively separates Here I Stand from Usher's earlier work: the ultimate bachelor is now the ultimate husband.

It's a small distinction, as Usher still sings things like "you order Chinese food before you do me" and "I'm always on the top tonight I'm on the bottom / cuz we trading places," but this is balanced with observations like "wash the car / I'm gonna walk the dog / take out the trash" on the same song ("Trading Places"). Usher's still down to get dirty, but it's a monogamous playground nowadays.

While not necessarily a bad thing, it does tend to stunt the album's momentum with interludes like the embarrassingly sappy "Prayer For You [Interlude]" and the corny "Lifetime." Usher's more standard bedroom songs aren't much better, with songs like the above "Trading Places" and "This Ain't Sex" sounding mechanical and uninspired at worst, mediocre R&B jams at best.

The best and catchiest song on the record is the first single, "Love In This Club," even though it does have Young Jeezy grunting "I'll set you free / sexily, mentally, emotionally." Sexily? Really?

Usher's voice is as strong and assured as ever, and his choice of guest artists is spotless. Jay-Z's cameo on "Best Thing" is particularly effective, breaking up the lover-boy monotony of the surrounding songs. The production is solid, but at a titanic eighteen songs and 74 minutes, the album could've used a more discerning editor to cut away some of the overblown ballads.

It was inevitable that the follow-up to Confessions would fall under the shadow of its predecessor, even after four years, but Here I Stand's lack of distinctive hits and its unfortunate tendency to drag along makes it a step down for the king of male R&B. Marriage may be good for the man, but it sure makes for boring music.

i know everyone want the old usher back which is understandable but
he hasnt moved on yet he has quite a few "GOOD" SONGS on this album
you have to let it grow on you,like usher he not 20ys old anymore
running "wild and loose" and thats whats he's bringing to the table
this time around very "IPOD" WORTHY SONGS belive me you will not
regret the purchase after a few plays but the old ushers cds are always
in "heavy rotation" that will never get old...enjoy!

Usher becomes the victim of his own success on this album. If Jaheim or Raheem DeVaughn or Dwele had released the exact same album, it would have been a classic, but not for Usher. Instead, he comes off as a former superstar, trendsetter who's gone soft. This, for me, is not a bad thing because I can relate to this Usher better having been married 2yrs ago myself.

Songs like "Appetite", "Before I Met You" & "Here I Stand" are real/relevant to me and they stand out as my favourites. The 1st single "Love In This Club" and its remix are also brilliant but unfortunately also misleading as they do not define what the rest of the album is about. Other tracks that play on the sex theme like "Trading Places" & "This Ain't Sex" fall flat.

Unfortunately for Usher is the fact since he's been gone the R&B scene has evolved. An evolution lead by the European sounds of StarGate & the Jodeci'esque sounds of Tricky & The Dream. Acts like Ne-Yo, J-Holiday, Chris Brown etc. have had a few years doing it so it does not sound fresh when Usher tries it on. "What's You Name" with Will.I.Am for example is excellent but it sounds like every other song on Ne-Yo's last album. Similarly, the power ballad and 2nd single "Moving Mountains" may be on class of its own lyrically but the overall package sounds generic.

Usher does redeem himself on the all too short intro and interlude tracks. These are beautiful tracks that really put his pipes on display, the extra slow "Love you Gently" is another beautiful addition. But I suppose people aren't ready to hear Usher on slow jams and that explains the reception that this album has had.

I applaud Usher for taking a stand on this album, even if the rest of the world may choose not to stand with him