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The album kicks off by launching into the massive radio anthem "Love in The Club". It's annoyingly infectious synthesized electro loops and barely-PG lyrics might be taking over the air waves right now, but don't let the lead single spoil the rest of the album for you.
Usher's sound over the last 14 years hasn't changed much. He still achieves a fine balance between up-tempo R&B/club-friendly singles and slow love jams. He still lays down smooth vocals over running chorus lines with varying pitches. And he stills collaborates with the best in the music industry.
Hip hop mogul Jay-Z pours his golden touch over "Best Thing", produced by studio maestro Jermaine Dupri. Will.i.am. is featured on and produces the synthpop jam "What's Your Name", which sounds very much like a soul makeover of the Eurythmics' "Sweet Dreams". Elsewhere Beyonce add some booty factor to "Love in the Club, Part II". Whether the duo are hoping for the same award-winning success Usher shared with Alicia Keys and "My Boo" in 2005, we'll only know in February 2009 at the 51st Grammy Awards.
But while his sound might still be the same, Usher's attitude towards life and consequently his lyrics have changed. The proud, new father publicly pronounces his love for his baby boy, Usher Raymond V, in the interlude "Prayer For You", reminiscent of Babyface's The Day album in 1996.
The playboy eases into fidelity on "Love You Gently", treats his woman right on "This Ain't Sex" and settles down to play happy families on "Something Special" and "Lifetime". By the end of the closing track "Will Work for Love" you realize Usher has finally grown up and is not afraid to let men around the world know how to treat their women.
All in all, Here I Stand is superbly produced. Seriously smooth vocals and surprisingly mature lyrics set it apart from the pop drivel clogging up the urban contemporary charts and makes Usher's fifth studio album a must-own.
Usher's sound over the last 14 years hasn't changed much. He still achieves a fine balance between up-tempo R&B/club-friendly singles and slow love jams. He still lays down smooth vocals over running chorus lines with varying pitches. And he stills collaborates with the best in the music industry.
Hip hop mogul Jay-Z pours his golden touch over "Best Thing", produced by studio maestro Jermaine Dupri. Will.i.am. is featured on and produces the synthpop jam "What's Your Name", which sounds very much like a soul makeover of the Eurythmics' "Sweet Dreams". Elsewhere Beyonce add some booty factor to "Love in the Club, Part II". Whether the duo are hoping for the same award-winning success Usher shared with Alicia Keys and "My Boo" in 2005, we'll only know in February 2009 at the 51st Grammy Awards.
But while his sound might still be the same, Usher's attitude towards life and consequently his lyrics have changed. The proud, new father publicly pronounces his love for his baby boy, Usher Raymond V, in the interlude "Prayer For You", reminiscent of Babyface's The Day album in 1996.
The playboy eases into fidelity on "Love You Gently", treats his woman right on "This Ain't Sex" and settles down to play happy families on "Something Special" and "Lifetime". By the end of the closing track "Will Work for Love" you realize Usher has finally grown up and is not afraid to let men around the world know how to treat their women.
All in all, Here I Stand is superbly produced. Seriously smooth vocals and surprisingly mature lyrics set it apart from the pop drivel clogging up the urban contemporary charts and makes Usher's fifth studio album a must-own.
