Here I Stand - Usher

Stuff.co.nz

Last updated 10:56 20/05/2008

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Usher, what are you doing? Why isn't your best song to date - the brilliantly bonkers leaked single Dat Girl Right There - on your new album? Are you an idiot?

If you haven't heard it, Dat Girl Right There features woozy synths, crazy off-kilter rhythms and an inspired cameo by rapper Ludacris that renders T-Pain's trademark computerised vocals impotent.

It's Usher's best ever song, but it's not on his new album. Perhaps it was because it was leaked. Perhaps there wasn't room. Or perhaps it was just too strange.

Whatever the case, it would have helped add some heat to Here I Stand - an unfilfulling album packed full of Usher standards with only occasional flourishes of inspiration.

It proves R&B's biggest selling star is resting firmly on his laurels.

Here I Stand reaches its nadir early with the downright awful will.i.am duet What's Your Name, while This Ain't Sex finds Usher crooning, "We're not having sex, we're making moments that will outlast the world."

Yuck. Has Usher turned into Tom Jones?

Thankfully, marriage hasn't completely tamed him. On the single Love In The Club, Usher doesn't even bother taking the girl of his affections home before having his way with her.

Whew. That's a bit more like the Usher we know and love.

There's also the stunningly epic ballad Moving Mountains, while Jay-Z and Lil Wayne help break up some of those endless ballads and add some hip-hop cred later on in the 18-track affair.

But Usher is at his best when his songs are dripping in sex, and there are precious few of those moments here. It's just one song, but Dat Girl Right There would have made all the difference.

*Usher's Here I Stand is out on May 27 through SonyBMG.

*What do you think of Usher's new album? Post your comments below.

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25 comments

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Dominick #25 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Trading Places,Appetite,Best Thing & Love In This Club Are The Best Songs on The Here I Stand Album But Confessions Was Still By Far Tha Better Album

eric #24 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

I truly DO NOT like the new album at all. I hope he goes back to the studio soon and redeems himself.

ExodusWill #23 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

This CD is perfect, you have to be grown to understand, his travels and where he is!

mike #22 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Honestly this album is the absolute worst. I'm glad I didn't buy it. Usher is still an awesome singer, but I expected him to come with some "Off the Wall" type record. Considering how Justin Timberlake and Timberland/Danja handz brought Sexy Back. I am dissapointed in Usher and Mark Pitts he should have let jermaine Dupri exec this album like Confessions why stray from the formula for success. I didn't even buy the album and I want a refund.

Yvonne #21 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

As soon as I saw the album at the record store I grabbed it without even pre listening...played it in my car on my way work all yesterday and today but I am FAILING to get into it. Its disappointing. But maybe it will grown on me so Im gonna try keep listening at least for the next week

Filli #20 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

This album hot but it's not as hott as something MerCee or Jay-Z would come out with.

obed #19 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

This is a great album. He is a talented artist is who has matured. This album is the most complete album I have heard in a while. Buy the album!

T. #18 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

This CD sucks! I cannot beleive that this is Usher. He married that old woman and she turned him into and old man as well. He can't even dance anymore!! He wassss the best but now he just sucks!

Shaboog #17 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

I personally HATE the album!ITS SO BORING!!!!! This is exactly why I dont buy Cd's anymore. Why spend ten bucks on a Cd, when you can get almost two gallons of gas! I understand that he is a full blown man now, with love bursting out the seams for his new wife and child, but come on! Almost EVERY some is about them. It is totally over-doing it. This would have made a terrific anniversary gift for her, but not to put out after " Confessions" album. Its almost seems like she forced him to dedicate it to her! I guess we see who wearing the pants now! YOU GO TAMIKIA GURL!!!! I AINT MAD AT CHA!!!

Andre #16 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Man i dont know what this review is talking about, Okay... I will admit this Cd cant campare to Confessions, but ... what CD can? I think the cd is still great theres not one song that i can say I dont like.

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