Here I Stand Reviews

• Married Man Music (MMM)

  
  By A2C5VLIJMDPWHI on 2008-05-28
  Two stars means "ok," and I want to clarify that beforehand because there's absolutely nothing wrong on this CD. However, I listened to it twice, and there was also no song on here that stood out to me, made me want to replay it, or dance to the beat. I'm used to turning Usher's CDs up full blast and trying to memorize all the words, but I didn't get that on this album. There were a lot of songs about being in love, marriage, and being a father (including doing what all parents seem to think is cute--recording their baby(ies) making baby noises). This album was weird for me. It was like Usher lost all his swagger and the cool feel of his music. If you've listened to "Love in This Club," that's basically the feel of the CD. Who thinks about "making love" in a club, as the magazine "Vibe" says in "20 Questions". Usher has definitely grown up, and I think he will gain an older audience with this album. But if you're looking for the old usher who oozes sexy in his songs, flirts with the ladies through melody, and gives us a little bit of hip hop through a lot of R&B, this isn't that album. (Note: He kept that sex appeal when he was with Chili, so I can't say it's the relationship. Man, I loved those two as a couple!) Listeners will, however, get the Usher who sounds head over heels for his wife and child. Again, nothing wrong with this album, but it was kinda repetitive, a little boring, and out of my element (no kids, no marriage). But I am happy for him being in a stable, happy relationship, and I hope him and Tamika stay together forever.
  
  UPDATE (AFTER FIFTH LISTEN): I followed That Juice's advice and listened to the CD again on my MP3 player. Then I listened again. And again. I sincerely am an Usher fan, and I wanted to like it. And I think That Juice is right, along with another reviewer on here who said that maybe the reason some fans couldn't immediately get into the CD was because we weren't READY for it. There was no leading up to the ballads or such a dramatic shift in his music. He just up and did a completely different album. I think my hesitation was that I was unprepared for what I'd listen to. Now that I've settled with the idea that Usher is making MMM, I'm more content with it. I still can't convince myself to change the stars though and think it's "just okay," but I look forward to the next album and will buy it!
  
  

• A Weak "Stand"

  
  By A3PMEJAYKF3VUC on 2008-05-30
  Based on the first single "Love In This Club", I thought this Usher release was going to be great and exciting. After listening to the entire CD, this was, for me, a rather weak release. My problems with it are mainly that it lacks spirit and variety, all the songs at first listening pretty much sounding similar and few chances being taken to show that Usher's grown as an artist. Another problem is that Usher seems to have suffered the same fate that many married artists do; the songs seem to be written about his relationship or he's attempting to debunk the rumors of the media and tabloids through song. For me, it didn't work.
  
  What I did like were those songs like "Love In This Club" on the album that really stand out and have feeling matched with great production value. "Moving Mountains" and "His Mistakes" both speak of being burned by love and having a few missteps in a relationship. These songs give you chills and manage to make you a bit misty and teary eyed with how relatable they are. I also enjoyed "Trading Places" which is about sex but sets up a curious and playful situation lyrically with some great vocal work. "Love in this Club, Part II" is also fun simply because it features Beyoncé and is a total reworking of the song. The Lil Wayne part of the song is weak, but still, I appreciate that for once instead of just having two artist singing over the regular track, someone took the time to totally revamp the song and the feel of it.
  
  Then, the other songs fall flat. The production value isn't great, making some of the songs sound as if they are mix tape quality and in need of more mixing. Usher goes on to sing about women and sex, his two main subject matters, but at this point in his career they simply sound tired and overdone. The other songs on the CD compete with one another due to the sound and lack of excitement put into it. It makes me wonder if some of these songs were rushed through and shows you that an abundance of songs on a cd isn't always a necessarily good thing. It loses my attention and many of these track have 'b-side' quality to them making them fluff and skip-worthy.
  
  In all, let down by this release and feel it was or has been over-hyped and weak. Not worth the money or attention put into it.
  
  

• All grown up!

  
  By A24N1BAS3CU27H on 2008-05-27
  In the 4 years since Usher released his blockbuster "Confessions" album, some major changes have occured in his life; He has gotten married and become a father. The influences of these are heard in his new album, "Here I am", from the album cover art that shows his son's birthdate on the car license plate, to the cries of his son on the interlude "Prayer for you" (on which he promises to be there for his son).
  
  On the beautiful ballad "Before I met you", he confesses that he was a playa before I met you, and on "Appetite", he is painfully honest as he talks about the fight to keep his lust under control whenever he's away from his wife.
  
  The album is ballad heavy, with only 2 uptempo tracks, the really groovy "This aint sex" (which has an 80s vibe), and the will.i.am produced "What's your name" (with techno-sounding strings and Usher saying "Like Donna Summer, girl give me this last dance"). It seems Usher has been listening to Techno quite a bit as techno strings are also used in the smash hit "Love in this club", the awesome ballad "Moving mountains", and the acoustic "What's a man to do"
  
  Other standouts are the retro soul ballad "Something special", "Love you gently", the Stevie Wonder channelling title track "Here I stand", and the hidden track "Will work for love" (which tells the tale of some man down on his luck and begging for anything to do).
  
  Jay Z appears on "Best thing" while his new bride appears on "Love in this club Part 2" (a different song, if you ask me) which is currently climbing the Billboard Hot 100.
  
  My favourite track though is the stunning ballad "His mistakes", a piano ballad with awesome vocals from Usher. In fact, his vocals are so much stronger and soaring on this album.
  
  I usually don't like ballad heavy R&B albums, but a lot of thought obviously went into this album, and in my opinion, this is his best album yet.
  
  

• HORRIBLE!!!!!

  
  By AGZ51P0P6HUSL on 2008-05-28
  I waited all this time for this man to drop a CD. I brough it yesterday on BOOTLEG thankgod. It was the worse. i love Usher and his wife, but I dont want to hear him sing about her on every freaking track. He cant even compare this Cd to a CHRIS BREZZY CD. and that young boy dont have nothing on Usher. But I guess when he got married, he got comfortable and lazy. i cant even remember anything on the CD except for Love in this Club. I tossed it right out the window when the remix went off. Step you game up USHER that "spit" was wack!!!! I still love you though, just disapointed.
  
  

• Almost 30, Usher shows that he can still make good music.

  
  By AGAMDS21PJZPK on 2008-06-12
  I was introduced to Usher in 1993 when his track "Call me A Mack" appeared on the soundtrack to the 2 Pac and Janet Jackson movie Poetic Justice (1993 Film). To be honest, I wasn't a big fan of the track because I had purchased the soundtrack for songs by Dogg Pound, 2 Pac and Pete Rock & CL Smooth. When I heard the DeVante Swing produced "Can U Get Wit It", I quickly changed my thinking. This song was 100% better than "Call Me A Mack". Usher ended up being his self titled debut and was released in 1994. "Think Of You" was the 2nd single and was produced by Puffy and "Chucky" Thompson. My Way was released 3 years later and featured one of my favorite Usher songs of all time "You Make Me Wanna". "You Make Me Wanna", "Nice & Slow" and the title track pushed the CD to sales of more than 6 million units. 8701 was released in 2001 after the plan for his original LP was scrapped after the single "Pop Ya Collar" flopped in the US and several of the tracks had leaked to Napster and other internet sites. "U Remind Me" made people easily forget "Pop Ya Collar" and tracks like "U Got It Bad", "U Don't Have To Call" and "Can You Help Me" proved that the sales from "My Way" weren't a fluke. Confessions was released 3 years later and sold an unheard of 1.1 million units in its first week of release. "Yeah!", which featured Lil Jon and Ludacris, was #1 on the charts at the time and the other tracks that I had heard, "Burn" and "Confessions" Parts 1 and 2 didn't hurt either. Once this CD was re-released later in 2004, Usher achieved another #1 track with "My Boo", which featured Alicia Keys.
  
  
  When I heard the track "Love In This Club", I clearly wasn't a big fan of it. The video was entertaining, especially since Keri Hilson was in the video, but the song or the Part 2 version with Beyonce and Lil "T-Pain" Wayne doesn't do anything for me. Maybe if I was in a club, then I would want to hear it. The 2nd single, "Moving Mountains", is a much better track in my opinion. Usher focuses on the lowlights of his relationship and how all the drama and unexpected turns have caused him to get to the point where he realizes that either she is going to change or this is going to be over for good. "This Ain't Sex" is a nice uptempo track that has Usher telling his woman that the physical part of their relationship is just as special as the other aspects of their relationship. I have heard better Usher slow jams than "Trading Places" but I am sure that the ladies, married or not, won't mind hearing Usher narrarate a tale where the roles get reversed once in awhile on the date and afterwards in the bedroom. "What's Your Name" would be better had will.i.am stayed off of the microphone but once you hear this track you will wonder why tracks like "Echo" and "Dat Girl Right There" w/Ludacris were left off of the CD. If you are married or seeing someone that is worth introducing to your parents then "Something Special" should be one of your favorite tracks. Jermaine Dupri and Maunel Seal produce a nice midtempo jam and Usher takes care of the rest with his vocals and honest feelings towards his woman. "Love You Gently" is the Usher that I am use to on tracks like "Nice & Slow", "Seduction", "That's What It's Made For" and "Can U Handle It". This should be the next single as Andre & Vidal do their job on the production like they have been doing with Jill Scott, Musiq Soulchild, etc. for years. "Best Thing" clearly isn't the best track, but I can definitely relate to the subject matter as hopefully Usher has definitely dedicated his last song to Chili. I have heard better Jay Z performances but if you have been a man in this situation before, you will be able to relate to this track. The same can be said for "Before I Met You". Once again, I have heard better Usher slow jams but the subject matter is clearly something that any man that is married or actually committed in a relationship can relate to. Stargate and Ne-Yo have teamed up once again on another r&b release on "His Mistakes". Usher talks about a situation where he is tired of paying for the mistakes that one of his woman's ex's made. He understands that there is a recovery period, but Usher feels that he has been paying for those mistakes made by other men for too long. Amen! "Appetite" has Usher remaining commited to his woman but he also is fighting with the side that still wants to creep and be with other women. In the end, he realizes that staying committed to his woman is the #1 priority. Stargate is back once again with "What's A Man To Do" as Usher talks about a situation where he allowed a possible love triangle to form as his heart is now in 2 different places with 2 different faces as he puts it. He wants to be honest, but he knows that being honest may cost him both of his women. Usher's brother, James "J Lack" Lackey, who also produced Lloyd's "Get It Shawty", produces a stellar midtempo jam in "Lifetime". Usher reaffirms his dedication to his woman as he discusses almost giving up on love and appreciating the fact that he has found the right woman for him. The album closes with the stellar title track that is produced by Dre & Vidal. If you are in any type of commited relationship, you should be able to appreciate this track. This is clearly my favorite track on this CD. If you can wait out the silence inbetween you will also catch the bonus track "Will Work For Love". It isn't a bad track, but you will understand why it's a bonus track after a couple of listens.
  
  
  Overall, other than both versions of "Love In This Club", you get a pretty good CD, in my opinion. Is it on the level of "Confessions"? No, but this CD is clearly better than all of these 1 star and 2 star reviews that I am seeing. If you like both versions of "Love In This Club" and you don't like the rest of the CD, then I can understand that. Some people want to hear a whole CD of "Yeah", "That's What It's Made For", "Nice & Slow", and "Can U Handle It" everytime he comes out with a CD. At the time that "Confessions" was made, he had just broke up with Chili and he was fighting with the fact that he still loved her and how he thought she would forgive him for finally being honest. Fast forward 4 years later and Usher now has a wife and a son. You can't expect that everytime an artist releases a CD that you will get the same type of CD every single time. I feel that a fairer rating of this CD is between 3 and a half and 4 stars. If you enjoyed Usher's past work, then I don't see any reason why you shouldn't enjoy this CD after a couple of listens.
  
  James' Top 5
  
  1) Here I Stand
  2) His Mistakes
  3) This Ain't Sex
  4) Lifetime
  5) Moving Mountains
  
  Honorable Mention:
  
  Love You Gently
  Something Special
  Before I Met You
  Best Thing w/Jay Z
  Trading Places
  
  
• Mediocre: At best!
  By A3GYCEOQ0MPN on 2008-05-29
  I have to give him at least one star for trying after four years. I have to say that if this was the last album of his career, then he has lost his luster.
  I purchased this yesterday (5/28) and was very excited and almost hesitant at the same time because I hadn't heard anything good or bad, and so I thought I'd hear it for myself. I would really like my money back (I don't understand why there isn't a better return policy on music like other software :)). Every song was "uneventful" and I heard nothing new and fresh. My friend and I looked at each other after every song and we could only sigh, we were very disapointed. He wouldn't even take it to load to his IPOD.
  Here is my problem with this album: It's all over the place! He is singing about the same things as before however, he is also including his new family,and in fact has an interlude to his son, yet 2 or 3 songs bfore he is talking about "sex" and other inuendos and it just seems odd considering he is now "married" to someone that adds no luster to his persona. Usher sings about the ladies, dancing and inuendos...Mr.Raymond is married with a son, he shouldn't mingle the two as it leaves a bad taste in your mouth and speechless.
  SEcondly, the beats, with the exception of "What's your Name" with Will.I.Am is hot, but that's it, the beat..not the lyrics or the music. If you haven't already purchased "Confessions", purchase that instead of this one.
  Sorry, Usher, but this one will not make it to my IPOD!
  
  
• The New Usher
  By AK7KDHAYZLXQ6 on 2008-05-28
  The CD is okay. Like one of the other reviewers, I miss the old Usher. This CD to me is a dedication to his wife and his love for her and his son. I knew that his new CD wouldn't be like his last CD. But wait, maybe he will release another CD in 4 months with more cuts. LOL
  
  This CD reminds me of traveling on the road. It's very laid back. It's a mature side of Usher. I'm still a fan, but this CD was lacking excitement.
  
  
• It pays to know your audience
  By AIHN21RQ5296F on 2008-05-29
  This long awaited project missed the mark. What were you thinking? Here I Stand clearly caters to this arbitrary "older" fan base that you don't have. This CD lacks the hip-hop funkiness and familiarity enojyed with the "Confessions" CD. Except for the potential of "Moving Mountains" I don't get this at all. Not a fan...sorry!
  
  
• 3 1/2 stars but a solid album nonetheless. I'm proud of him.
  By AJK5WHV1GW941 on 2008-05-28
  It is so easy to see that Usher is not the same young gigolo who danced, sang and rapped his way through his "My Way" video. Usher exudes a certain maturity now that he is married with children and I am so glad I was able to see his transition. Some have complained that he has lost his swagger and sexiness ever since he tied the knot, but I do not share their opinion. Usher is still as sexy as he ever was; he's just a full-fledged adult at this juncture. My only gripe is that he couldn't work it out with Chilli, but that's another story (I love you, Chilli!)
  
  Usher is singing his behind off on this album! He always has a nice vocal delivery, but he has never sounded this good, this mature, this happy. "Here I Stand" is a fine piece of work but it is a lengthy album (1.2 hours, eighteen tracks) and it is just not as consistent as I would like it to be. Don't misinterpret me, though. There isn't one bad song on here. Rather, there are average moments and then there are highlights. The lyrics on this album help make it even better. I also enjoyed the production. There are ballads, mid-tempos and faster songs and just about an even distribution of each, fortunately. The first song released to radio was the smash hit "Love in This Club" which features Young Jeezy. It took many lots of listens in order to truly get into this song, but it is one of those songs that you will like at least a little with time. This song's remix is also included and features Beyonce' and Lil' Wayne. Although I really revel in the talents of all three artists, the remix was bland and the original is better. "This Ain't Sex" is one of the finest moments found on this album. His energy on this track is undeniable and so is the magnificent production. "Moving Mountains", "Appetite" and "What is A Man to Do" are all decent tracks, but they don't bring this album out. "Moving Mountains" is a ballad which gives off the same eerie feel that Omarion's "Icebox" gives off.
  
  This is not one that needs to be pondered upon. Purchase this album yesterday! Usher is sure to please.
  
  Mikeisha's Top 5
  
  1. "This Ain't Sex"
  2. "What's Your Name"
  3. "Here I Stand"
  4. "Something Special"
  5. "Trading Places"
  
  
  
• A huge disappointment, Worst album this year so far..!!
  By A3IXADRT19LAAV on 2008-05-30
  I am a big Usher Fan, but this album is Nothing like Usher.!! I am really disappointed, i was waitting for the album for four years. Trust me, it is not a thing that you wanna pay money for!!!
  
  Sorry usher, I am being Honest!!!!
  
  
• An excllent return to form for one of the kings of R&B
  By A3PCTD8QM1BIXI on 2008-05-27
  After a four year hiatus, Usher returns with one of the best mainstream R&B CD's of the year. Just as Usher as grown and changed as a man so has his music, which is a great thing in my opinion. Stand out tracks on the CD for me were Love You Gently,Something Special, Prayer For You and the title track. The not so great one for me is Moving Mountians which is one of the worst songs he's ever recorded. My detatiled review can be found below.
  
  1. Intro - This is a basic Usher intro where he sets up the vibe of the album.
  2. Love In This Club featuring Young Jeezy - Unless you've been living under a rock you've heard this song.
  3. This Ain't Sex - Another one of my personal favorite tracks. Even though it's a throwback to his My Way days, it has a Michael Jackson Rock With You type feel as it's just a feel good track about dancing.
  4. Trading Places - (written by The- Dream and produced by Tricky Stewart): A hot slow jam similar to Can You Handle It. This is one of personal favorite tracks as it shows Usher's fully matured tenor.
  5. Moving Mountains - The second single still confuses me every time I hear it. The Dream gives me his first disappointment as a writer and Tricky Stewart gives us a mediocre beat. I think this is one of the worst songs Usher has ever recorded.
  6. What's Your Name featuring will.i.am - This is an ok track, however it sounds better suited for Craig David. Will I Am gives a catchy beat as always but the vocals aren't really special.
  7. Prayer For You Interlude - With the impending birth of my own son, I can really identify with Usher and there's nothing stronger than the bond between a father and son.
  8. Something Special - This song reminds of walking in the park with my wife and making our way to a picnic. It has a laid back summer feel to it and reminds of a seventies Stevie Wonder.
  9. Love You Gently - Now this is the Usher I like to hear. Love You Gently is easily on par with Nice & Slow, Twork It Out and Can U Handle It as Usher's throwback to Bobby Brown's Roni & Rock Witcha. I can easily see this being his "concert song" when he tours.
  10. Best Thing featuring Jay Z - Nothing too special a standard my girl left me track and I want her back. Usher doesn't over sing on this track or under sing and I highly doubt it'll be a single even with the stamp of the Jigga man. It doesn't really go with the Vibe of the new CD and would have fared better on his previous CD.
  11. Before I Met You - This is an ok song, nothing to special and Usher kind of under sings it. Basically he's talking about how his life has changed since he met his current girlfriend and he refuses to go back to his old ways.
  12. His Mistakes a.k.a. I Can't Win- (Produced by Stargate & written by Ne-Yo) - This can basically be described as Can't Help But Wait Part 2. Usher's strong vocals make the song work; however with the riffs being similar to the Trey Songz hit it's nothing really impressive.
  13. Appetite - Appetite is kind if the red headed step child to Before I Met You. Even though he's a happily married man and in love he's still a man who loves the ladies.
  14. What's A Man To Do - This song has some truth to it and Usher's vocals make it work since the beat isn't to promising. Usher is one of the few singers who can sing anything and he'll sound good as he does with this song. This is another song that would have gone better on the Confessions CD.
  15. Lifetime - Usher's little brother J-Lack continues to show he's a wonder kid when it comes to making beats and this is a nice mid tempo ballad.
  16. Love In This Club Part II featuring Beyoncé & Lil Wayne - A great remix tops the original and Love In The Part II does just that. Truth be told Usher should have released this version as the lead single instead.
  17. Here I Stand - Just like Can U Help Me, Separated and Burn before it, Here I Stand is Usher's big ballad on the CD. Here I Stand may upset some female fans as it's a testament to his love for his wife but it's one of my favorite songs on the CD and Usher has never sounded so strong vocally.
  18. Will Work For Love (Produced by J.R.Rotem) - Usher easily sings this feel good track and while the chorus can get annoying this songs seems better suited for Akon.
  Usher recorded upwards of sixty songs for the CD and some of the tracks such as The Realest feat. Jermaine Dupri, Lights Camera Action feat. Nelly, and At The Time featuring T-Pain were cut and remain unheard. However the tracks mentioned below can be found on the web, import versions of the CD and mixtaspes.
  
  CUT TRACKS & Bonus Tracks
  Flash - (Produced by The Neptune's) - A horrid sounding track from the once reliable Neptune's which didn't make the album. The Neptune's and Usher had amazing chemistry on his 8701 CD, however they strike out this time.
  Echo -This is one of the best tracks from Bryan Michael Cox that was cut. The song reminds me of Alexander O Neal's Hearsay.
  
  Play Me - (Produced by the Avilla Brothers) - This is a winner that won't be on the initial release of the album, however it's rumored to be on the re-release. The Avilla Brothers who produced That's What's It Made For, from the Confessions CD, give Usher another winner in this track. I don't know how it would fare in the states but in the UK (where I used to DJ) I could easily see the Brits liking this track with its techno driven beat.
  
  Dat Girl Right There - (produced by Rich Harrison) - The third time isn't the charm for Luda and Usher on this track. This song seems better suited for Day26 or Omarion as Usher vocals are to strong for this track and Luda's verse is second rate at best. The beat from Rich Harrison is also a huge disappointment as he's known for Go Go styled drum beats.
  
  Just Like Me - Another song that doesn't really go with the grown man vibe Usher was going for on This CD. It's basically talking about how Usher and his girl are both doing dirt and I'm happy it didn't make the final cut.
  
  Forever Young - This is a longer version of the intro.
  
  Revolver - No thoughts really on this song it's just another song.
  
  All in all a fine album and this is easily one of the best mainstream R&B albums along with Mariah Carey's E=MC2 to be released in 2008. Usher has once again claimed his throne as one of the kings of modern R&B and shows he's not ready to give up the throne yet.
  
  
  
• Still Standing With His Head High
  By A3SV72ZAHH2IDH on 2008-05-27
  Usher Raymond already debuted in in 1994 at the tender age of 16 with a epnymous album and after several strong sequels he slowly established himself as one of the most popular R&B stars of his generation. But it wasn't before the 2004 album "Confessions" that Usher went to a popular American R&B star to a international superstar. "Confessions" was also more mature and personal then anything else he had released with songs revealing secrets like infidelity, shame and the tragic end of his relationsip with TLC's Rozonda "Chili" Thomas. But it also had the big hits like the crunk song "Yeah" and the Alicia Keys duet "My Boo" on the re-release. Producers, Jermiane Dupri, Bryan Micheal Cox and Dre & Vidal did miracles for Usher and ultimately making it one of the finest R&B albums of the decade. But 4 years have passed since and the wild playa life of Usher seems long gone. In the meantime he got married and had a son and much of this album is about finally settling down and being happy to be in a strong relationship and valuating parenthood. "Here I Stand", Usher's 5th album is diffrent but once again we find him combining good lyrics with stong melodies and the end it's another successful effort.
  
  
  The album starts with a intro that seems to be dedicated to his wife and sets he tone for what's coming. Right afterwards the Polow Da Don produced #1 single "Love In This Club" arrives and it's one of very few uptempos here, eventhough it's said that Polow utilized beats from Garage Band there is no doubt how catchy this one is. Basically it the obvious commercial club song about having the urge to pick u a hot lady in the club. It also features a strong closing verse from Young Jeezy. On "This Ain't Sex" produced by Tricky Stewart/The Dream/Jazze Pha he sais "And this ain't sex
  This is a symbol Of two makings love". A sign of the new Usher and defenitely a highlight here. Tricky Stewart associate LOS Da Mystro who's most famous for producing J Holiday's "Bed" and songs on The Dream's album is next up with "Trading Places" which is very simular to "Bed" with it's un-orthodox beats andlong verses with myraids of words. The song feature some quite naughty lyrics aswell, which aint surprising when Dream wrote it. Tricky/Dream is once again in the spotlight with the wonderful ballad "Moving Mountains", scheduled to become the second single. Winning back lost confidence and turning a bad relationship back where it should be is like Moving Mountains, or maybe even harder?. Highlight for sure. Will.i.am contributes with the next song "What's Your Name" which is the second uptempo song with his ususal retro poduction with heavy bass and obligatory guest verse.
  
  The next song is a interlude called "Pray For You" where Usher blesses his newborn son, we also hear him crying. After this many of the remaining songs are in slower pace. "Something Special" from Jermaine Dupri is a midtempo with some bluesy chords, another love song to his wife. "Love You Gently" from Dre & Vidal is classic sexy bedroom R&B that Keith Sweat would be proud of. "Best Thing" from Dupri got some memorable Hip Hop beats and a guest verse from Jay-Z. "Before I Met You" from Bryan Michael Cox, is another love song in mid pace while "His Mistakes" from Stargate and Ne-Yo is a strong ballad of a girl coming from a bad relationship that must be able to trust him and not compare him to the mistakes of her ex. For some reason it feels like Usher is singing almost exactly like Ne-Yo in a song that Ne-Yo could have done just the same. The third and last real uptempo comes from Danja, the greatest beatmaker at the moment? As usual it got some very original beats and should be a perfect floor filler for the summer partys. Stargate's second addition "What's A Man To Do" could be a future single, it goes like "What's a man to do
  /When he's loving two/And he don't wanna lie/ But he can't tell the truth". Producer Jlack contributes with "Lifetime" a midpace ballad with good lyrics but not quite a hit single. I have no idea why a remix of "Love In This Club" called Part 2 made the final tracklist? The title track from Dre and Vidal is also rather boring, a ballad with piano. A hidden JR Rotem song called "Will Work For Love" is the last song here, a pretty good midtempo ballad aswell. It closes the album with 18 songs.
  
  
  Overall, "Here I Stand" is another steller effort that shows a 30 year old Usher ready to get on with his life as a husband and father. The album got both great songwriting and hit potential, well performed on every occasion. This proves more then ever that Usher is re-claiming his lost crown as the R&B world's greteast male performer. While this album certainly got plenty to offer and will be successful, the problem is what it ain't got. The Rich Harrison produced "That Girl Right There" with the sickest beat of year was a sacriledge to leave out. And where is Neptunes's "Flash" or BMC's "Echo" that also would have made decent additions instead of some of the slower songs here. Either way, "Here I Stand" is an exellent album and I would be recommending it to anyone who's a fan of modern R&B.
  
  
  
  
  
• Hard times for the R&B lovers
  By A2RSVPKKWOXAZU on 2008-05-29
  I guess that is a natural process, to become always more demanding when you're aging. I can apply this unwritten law to the attitude that i've when i listen a new album. As someone that is grown in a period where there it was radical differences between the various musical styles, i must say that now i notice a meaningful "contamination" between them. Potentially this isn't a negative factor, because when you share and mix different experiences you can have great opportunities to be a better and "complete" musician. The problem is when you start to have true difficulties to classify the different performers and their personal styles.
  During the more recent years, the R&B field has been invaded by some very annoying "POP" seeds, losing many of his peculiarities. The major result of this invasion is that now the great majority of the POP and R&B albums sounds the same. The typical sound of R&B music is often lost among an increasing abuse of sloppy and synthetic rhythms. Sometimes i wonder if there's still some alive drummer around, considering that now we listen almost exclusively beats provided by drum machines! Personally i consider the current level of POP music really low, so (as an R&B lover) i can't be happy when i make these remarks.
  Usher's new album show some of his undisputed dowries. No doubt that he's a talented performer, and i must say that i've all his albums in my personal collection. But this time i notice the above mentioned "pop contamination" more in the foreground, and this isn't a valuable element...because it deprive many songs from the passion and the soulfulness that i was looking for. Considering the current situation of the music industry, "Here I Stand" it's obviously an album above the average, with some good tunes that surely will climb the charts. But remembering his past efforts...i must say that i was expecting something more, from an artist like Usher.
  I know...this is my blame. But you must forgive me, because i still think that Jodeci did R&B music...and Rihanna don't. Probably, this explain my point of view better than a thousand words...
  
  
• Usher - Here I Stand
  By A17814AD8EWTN4 on 2008-05-27
  Usher just locked the R&B king title with this album. With two back to back classic albums, he has returned to his thrown with this one. I had been reading in articles since 2006 that he was working on a new album, but he wasnt saying anything about the music, just that it was gonna be legendary. And it was. I also want to add that i am not giving this album five stars because i am a crazy Usher fan that would give anything with Ushers name on it five stars. As a matter of fact, i was really worried that i was gonna have to give this album three stars, because i didnt think that he would be able to live up to Confessions. But he hit it out of the park again, no lie. This album is a lesser to Confessions in only one way, Here I Stand is not an album thats a strait banger like Confessions was. Here I Stand is still gonna get album of the year in my book, and the year is young still, but i already know this is gonna be my favorite at the end of 08. But this album has probably like 12 or 13 excellent tracks, where as Confessions was a strait banger front to back with its original 15 songs. So Here I Stand isnt as good as Confessions, but its mighty close. It the difference between an A and a A-. The first thing i noticed with this album was it has alot different of a sound than Confessions had. This album has alot more of a brighter appeal, while Confessions had that more dark depressing feel in a good way lol. But Here I Stand still more than gets its point across. On the heartbreaking, Dream produced "Moving Mountains" where Usher lets all of his relationship pain pour out over Dream's light keys and roaring synths. "Moving Mountains" has the same purpose that "Burn" did on Confessions, the huge mid tempo ballad of heartbreak for a second single. The same can be said about the very emotionally Stargate produced "His Mistakes", where Usher tells the story of an untrusting girlfriend over very light piano touches. Than there is the banging baby maker produced by, again, the Dream, "Trading Places", which is easily one of my favorite tracks on the album because its a different type of babymaker than we are used to from Usher. It has that more echoy babymaking feel instead of the slow jam feel. "Before I Met You" is another fantastic track with a more up beat feel to it. "This Ain't Sex" was a sketchy song at first glance, but after a few listens you get hooked to its addicting dance floor feel. It is very reminiscent of some old school MJ stuff. Like i said, this album missed Confessions by a sliver, but it stilled landed in the same ballpark as Confessions, which that alone is difficult to do. Another classic on Ush's hands, means he locked the position as R&B king (Yes Kicking out the legendary R. Kelly). He also said in his article in Hip Hop Soul, "Ima let these other R&B cats play with the game til i get back, but once i get back, you better bring your A game." He wasnt playing around either. This is the best album since Confessions, plain and simple!
  
  
  Grade:
  A-
  
  
• Usher Is Back To Claim His Crown
  By A3FCFDD13DFE62 on 2008-05-27
  Usher still can't be touched. Here I Stand proves that he continues to dominate the world of music. I have listened to this CD at least 5 times and I love it more with each play. From 8701 to Confessions and now Usher has shown more growth with a wonderful CD that will no doubt be a classic.
  
  
• Usher solidifying his position
  By A1I1IVXGTUSOPK on 2008-05-28
  This latest project from Usher proves that he is now at the top of his game. He displays his maturity to the best of his ability with this ballad themed album. His vocals are much stronger than before as well as his outlook on relationships. He is now a family man so you couldn't expect for him to make another album like My Way or Confessions. I applaud him for this one, it was well worth the wait.
  
  
• AMAZING ALBUM
  By A2MJ9H6JWQPZ7D on 2008-05-29
  this cd was one of the best cds that was put out this year!!!! this is grown man music so if ur still stuck on that i want yo lick u like a lollipop or the lil chris brown bs u wont like the cd. this cd is better than confessions vocal and talent wise but i know for a fact that it wont produce as many hits or sell as many records like confessions did this cd is more like a 2-5xs plat comparaed to 9.5 but this is a good cd
  best songs to me are
  1. will work for love, i love this song nice song to end the album
  2. trading places, his song will kill with the women
  3. before i met you, this songs will have ur girl feeling good
  4. his mistakes, nice song probably is going to be the 3rd single
  5. Moving mountains, the 2nd single great song
  overall the cd was well thought all but 2 is are nice ballads cop this cd if ur a true r&b fan!!!!!!!!
  
  
• its cool and all that
  By A1U11PS71ML0YJ on 2008-05-29
  Its been awhile since we've gotten a new Usher cd.
  
  I have been a fan of Usher since his debut effort years ago and have watched his career go through the roof. But with Here i Stand, its different for him because he's married and has a kid. So a lot of what applied to him and worked on other cds probably wouldnt fit right for him now.
  
  I did enjoy several songs off the cd without question. Like "Love in This Club (Part I and II w/Beyonce and Lil Wayne), "Moving Mountains", "Best Thing" w/Jay-Z, "What's Your Name" w/will.i.am, "Appetite", "His Mistakes" and "Before I Met You". Normally that would be enough for me to warrant at least giving this one 4 stars at least.
  
  But this time around it just feels like something's left out or missing. I'm not quite sure what. There are more slower ballad style songs on here for one while not a bad thing at all. It seems to slow the cd down a bit too much even for my tastes and i love a slow jam just like the next person.
  
  Usher writes on every song on "Here I Stand" and comes through with his personal feelings and thoughts on life throughout the cd itself and working with some all star producers won't hurt the sales at all for the cd. Which will probably debut at number 1 on the next billboard chart and sell loads which i really look forward to seeing.
  
  Overall though "Here I Stand" just leaves me wondering for the most part.
  
  
• Usher - 2008 Style
  By A1QEWOSV05RYEO on 2008-05-29
  Any fan of Usher's who had bought CONFESSIONS surely didn't expect Usher to release an album that sounded like CONFESSIONS. After a four-year hiatus between CONFESSIONS and 2008's HERE I STAND, a lot has changed in R&B/Hip-Hop. The "sound" of an R&B album has definitely changed since Usher's ubiquitous "Yeah" boomed from the speakers of every club and high-school dance. Producer/Songwriter The-Dream has invented the "new" sound of R&B while hip-hop producers the likes of Danja and will.i.am have replaced the "southern-tastic" productions of Lil' Jon, whom helmed "Yeah". With that said, HERE I STAND isn't as good as CONFESSIONS, but that is to be expected. Who can top an album that sold ten million copies in the U.S.? Aside from that though, HERE I STAND is a good, solid album. It updates the sounds of 2004's CONFESSIONS, even if you feel some of Usher's "playboy" appeal has been replaced with a more manly, "matured" Usher. Where his voice is concerned, he's even better here than CONFESSIONS, which definitely shows he has taken care of his distinctive tenor vocals and his definitive falsetto.
  
  The album opens with one of the year's better Intros, in which anyone can instantly see that Usher's vocals are still at the top. "Love In This Club" is one of his few concessions to his clubby past, synonymous with 2004's "Yeah", only more refined. Polow Da Don's production is searing and excited with a killer beat, and cold-hard synths. Jeezy's verse even shows growth on his part as a rapper (well at least he isn't rapping about cocaine...) Again, "Love In This Club" was destined to give Usher another #1. "This Ain't Sex" is reminiscent of the production work on Mary J. Blige's "Just Fine" or the more obscure "Til The Morning" from her GROWING PAINS album. It took a bit for this one to grow on me, like it did Blige's "Just Fine", but now it is one of my favorites. The sound is reminiscent of 1980s/early 90's R&B, which may be why there's a vintage aspect to this track. Sure, it isn't "Caught Up", but it is fresh and a different, more "grown" sound for Usher, without isolating those girls who love him (even if he's married and a daddy).
  
  For those fearing Usher had swore off of his sexual persona, the kinky "Trading Places" could've been well at home on any R. Kelly album. It is both odd, yet somehow endearing to the listener. Here, Usher boast about being "on the bottom" (if you know what I mean) hence "trading places". Better though may be the big ballad of HERE I STAND, the brilliant "Moving Mountains", in which Usher has never sounded better. It's not "Burn" per say, but it is certainly top notch in my opinion. Will.i.am lends a hand on "What's Your Name" which is solid by all means, if a bit underwhelming compared to the first portion of the album. "Prayer for You (Interlude)", Usher sings to his newborn son, Usher Raymond V, in perhaps one of his most sincere, heartfelt performances. Just as genuine is Usher's soulful turn on "Something Special" in which Raymond rocks out to a soulful guitar and a spare drum groove.
  
  "Love You Gently" returns Usher back to 2008 with it's "icy" drum programming and bright sounding synths. This is another personal favorite of mine, though it does seem like it takes this track a while to warm up. "Best Thing" featuring Jay-Z is good, if average, while "Before I Met You" features production work by master producer Bryan Michael Cox. It is solid if a bit lengthy, an issue with HERE I STAND in general. "His Mistakes" truly shows Usher's maturity as a man and artist, backed by great production work from Stargate and the taut lyrics of none other than Shaffer "Ne-Yo" Smith (Also to be noted is that Usher co-writes all the tracks on HERE I STAND). "Appetite" is hip, and a nice departure from such adult R&B oriented numbers like "His Mistakes" or "Something Special".
  
  "What's A Man To Do" also proves to be solid, though i personally enjoyed "His Mistakes", the other Stargate helmed production, the best. "Lifetime" is an exceptional track, while "Love In This Club, Part II" doesn't trump "Love In this Club", even with vocoder savvy Lil' Wayne or coy Beyonce adding there great talents. "Here I Stand" itself is a nice closure, though there is a hidden track within the 9:30 duration, which I'll let all you savvy buyers evaluate for yourself.
  
  Overall, HERE I STAND is a solid, modern R&B album. It could never eclipse CONFESSIONS, but it is consistent for the most part. The biggest detraction is there is too much material to absorb and some of the songs are too long. There is no outright miss here in the least, which is phenomenal for an album this "bloated" with material. 4 stars in my eyes. I highly recommend this one for all R&B enthusiasts and Usher fans.
  
  
• Snooze
  By A1QM2TH24PYMKR on 2008-05-30
  This is nothing really memorable about any of the tracks on the CD. Other than the baby laughing, I have 3 kids and can truly appreciate the cuteness of their laughter, it truly warms my heart. But it was COMPLETELY out of place in this case. After hearing "Whats your Name" which is kind of up beat to go into "Prayer For You" just seemed weird and awkward to me. "This Aint Sex" is ok, as well as "Something Special. "Love in this Club" at first I didn't really care for this track simply just because of the concept of someone "making love" in the club is just nauseatingly disgusting, but it does have a fairly decent beat and is kind of infectiously so it grew on me. (Being played on the radio every hour on the hour did help with that). Overall this was a dud for me.
  
  Can someone please go find the "You Make Me Wanna" "You Remind Me" "Caught Up" "Got It Bad" "Let It Burn" "Confessions" Usher please!!!!
  
  
• LOL, MMM LOL GMM!!! GROWN MAN MUSIC!!!!
  By A3UMY7W5AUQQH3 on 2008-05-31
  THIS MAN IS MARRIED WHICH IS WONDERFUL AND HE IS A FATHER NOW AND GROWN!
  THIS CD IS VERY WELL PUT TOGETHER!
  HEY PEOPLE!
  GIVE HIM A BREAK!!!
  HE CAN'T STAY SINGLE AND CHILDISH AND ON THE PROWL FOREVER!
  WE ALL HAVE TO GROW UP!
  
  THIS CD IS MATURE AND SO IS HE!
  HE STILL HAS IT!
  HIS SKILL CAN'T BE DENIED!!!
  THAT'S MY OPINION!!!!
  
  DO YOUR THING MR. RAYMOND!!!!
  
  
• just ok
  By A9Q28YTLYREO7 on 2008-06-21
  Usher is a talented cat who has the voice and moves to be around for a really long time, but alot of the time on his albums he settles for average material that doesn't always compliment him and his range. he would be so well stronger musically with doing a couple of covers or songs that challenged him as to sounding like what is already out there,etc... I like the title track and for my money that is the kind of material I feel he should be aiming for as to Love in this club which sounds like any and everybody else out at this time. he has superStar Potential but settles for alot of what sounds cool for a ringtone as to what will be remembered in the bigger picture.
  
  
• The King Is Back
  By A13Z46TH42VOAT on 2008-05-27
  All These Young Dudes Need To Take Note! Usher Is Back His New Album "Here I Stand" Is Usher At His Most Mature Great Follow Up From Confessions!!!
  
  
• Two thumbs up
  By A25ZG6QZIKG8P7 on 2008-05-27
  Overall, this was a good project. The music is catchy. It's funny...when "Love In This Club" came out I didn't like it at all. Like most songs these days it grew on me. I really loved the remix when it was released on the radio about a month ago. And I'm not even a big fan of bouncy Beyonce or Lil Wayne! The only song I didn't particularly care for was "What's a Man to Do." The music got annoying after a few seconds.
  Anyways, I cannot wait to purchase my copy today. Definitely well worth the four-year wait after Confessions. But just asking, is Apple/iTunes the only place where I can purchase the deluxe edition of this CD?
  
  
• Usher, never one to disappoint.
  By A2CZMI6QP7071R on 2008-05-27
  Coming off a Diamond selling release, I thought this album would be a letdown compared to Confessions. So far I'm not necessarily saying I like it better but I think it's more creative. I've been listening to this album since the leak(about a week and a half before release)and have been very impressed. So impressed that I walked 4 miles to buy it today(tryin' to conserve gas, lol) Usher is never an artist to drop 10-11 tracks and 4 interludes every year but someone you can expect 18-20 tracks w/ no interludes from every 2-3 years. He usually only has the best featured artists on his albums and this one only features the top in the industry. Jay-z(one of the best ever), Beyonce(one of the most commercially successful artist since Jay-z), Lil' Wayne(I'm not a huge fan, but a lot of people like him), and Young Jeezy(never seems to disappoint when featured on a track). I was hoping for a track with Ludacris because every song they've done together in the past has been crazy, but Luda is more of a club/party artist and this is more of an adult CD. As a whole the album is great. I doubt it will hit diamond like Confessions(we're living in a time where everyone bootlegs and no one purchases), but I can see it selling a few million.
  
  He gave up a lot of the pop that he had done in the past and focused more on R&B. Everybody always has a problem when an artist grows up and changes; but that's what the music industry is all about, maturation. Like Jay-z was criticized for Kingdom Come and American Gangster, why? Because he had matured and grown up. Same goes for Eminem, towards the end of his career he was criticized for his music but all of it was grown up meaningful music. Same goes for Usher on this one, people don't like change in an artist.
  
  Every song has a creative meaning. For example the song "his mistake"(probably my favorite song on the CD) is about how women compare their current love to the one before, and if the previous one did her bad then the mistakes he made will be held against the current love, regardless of weather he's doing wrong. Throughout the song Usher says "I refuse to stay payin for his mistakes". It's a very creative well thought song.
  
  Another one of my favorites is "Before I Met You". It is a song about how a women can bring out the best in a man. Throughout the song he says "I was a hustler and player girl before I met you/I'd drink a lil something then hit a lil something/But how you made a difference, look what i've been missing/You got my life together and I thank you forever."
  
  "What's a Man to Do" is another great track from the album. Where he talks about his love "being in to different places" and "having two different faces".
  
  Another good track is Here I stand, it also has a hidden track after it. If you leave the track on for 3 minutes after it ends another track will come on, that's also very creative.
  
  "Trading Places" is a very unique track about switching places with the female for a night, she takes him out, she's on top, etc.
  
  Usher's talent could never be questioned but in my opinion he really expanded his repertoire on this album. I really suggest it.
  
  
• He's On His Game
  By A1BRSHOIBWIB08 on 2008-05-27
  Undoubtebly, I can't deny that this album is very good. I really didn't know what to expect from Usher this time around. I honestly wrote it off before I had heard it. I had heard little about it, even with the single "Love In the Club" being released. That song immediatly turned me off. The theme is simply dumb and it annoyed me. It still does. Yet I came across an article yesterday online that really changed my mind. I've been an Usher fan from the very beginning of his career. Many people have not heard his debut album, Usher, but outside of this album, I really love that one the best. Confessions was good, but his debut album was really good, especially for a kid off of the starting blocks. But Here I Stand is great. I listened, and there were only a couple of songs that I did not like. The title cut is Here I Stand was put together beautifully. I loved his total honesty in Appetite. Trading Places is an awesome, sexy cut. It's real. It's a song that lovers can really relate to. There are many other things to be said about this album, but suprisingly I do recommend listening to this album. It's worth your time.
  
  
• Good but not Great
  By A2WRGVCVMMZJY on 2008-05-29
  Ushers latest album, much like his previous ones, was good but not great,
  I mean there were some stand out tracks: Moving Mountains, Appetite,etc.
  but nothing that grabs you and holds on to you!
  It is worth the buy to any R&B fan!
  
  
• Grown Folks Music
  By A2ZKQV324MC107 on 2008-05-29
  After taking two spins through this cd I am hooked. Usher has been away growing up for the past few years and it is quite evident in his music. For those that are into the music that is hot right now...ie R Kelly's single about braiding hair...or all the Crank dat songs...you probably won't be impressed with this cd. However, for those true music fans that are TIRED of all the so called music that is out now, this is worth adding to your collection.
  
  Usher made sure to include enough of the old ingredients that have made him successful in the past which is seen on "Love in this Club". But true music fans will surely appreicate his maturity on cuts like "Before I Met You" and "Appetite" where Usher is crooning about changing his creeping ways and being a man. "Moving Mountains" and "Love You Gently" showcase his vocal abilities.
  
  People do not sleep on this one. It is not a club burner like Confessions was...but it is a great cd in its own rights.
  
  
• You gotta give it a second chance!!!
  By A2LXAKHQGNJW9S on 2008-05-29
  His CD can best be compared to a Napoleon Dynamite or Anchorman, you must listen to it a second time to really appreciate it. I'm going to be honest, the first time I listened to it I was like this is a 2.5 at best. Half way through the cd, I'm thinking to myself "are you serious" and then the second half came and he redeemed himself. So the first listen it was a tale of two halves, then I listened to it again all the way through rating each song and i would say my thoughts on the cd jumped a star to 3.5. It takes awhile to get used to Usher in a true R&B role rather than his usual hybrid R&B/Pop style.
  
  Standouts (In my opinion):
  What's Your Name
  Before I Met You (Favorite)
  Lifetime
  
  Good Songs (ditto):
  Love You Gently
  Best Thing
  His Mistakes
  Here I Stand (kinda sounds like a track by Musiq)
  
  All in all, like everybody has said...Grown up ish...not for high schoolers or college aged kids really. Still a good listen though, just be patient and let it soak in!!!
  
  
• Usher wants everyone to know how much he has grown up
  By A1KEZTODV5S7MX on 2008-05-30
  He should have changed the name of the cd to Family Man or something like that. Besides Love in this Club, he doesn't have too many songs that aren't about how he is grown up and happily in love. With that said, I do like the cd. Its just a different Usher than what people are used to. He might reach a different audience with this cd and maybe lose some of his younger fans. If you listen to the cd expecting for a lot of songs like there were on Confessions, you might be disappointed. My favorite tracks so far (besides both Love in this Club songs) are Trading Places and Moving Mountains but I will have to listen to it a few more times. Nothing really jumped out at me as a song I really love. One thing I do love, is Usher is not one of those artists who comes out with a 12 track cd.
  
  

• Tha Carter III
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