Here I Stand - Dark Publications

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Editorial Reviews:

Album Description
2008 album from the R&B superstar. Here I Stand is Usher's follow-up to his history-making, nine-times platinum-selling Confessions. The album tells the story of growth: triumphant, reflective, somewhat defiant and it marks a new period in Usher's life and creative expression. Here I Stand finds Usher working with some of the best producers and writers around including Polow Da Don, Jermaine Dupre, Dre & Vidal and Dream & Tricky Stewart. Features the first single 'Love In The Club'. Laface.

Customer Reviews: Read 136 more reviews...

2 out of 5 stars

Married Man Music (MMM) May 28, 2008
41 out of 51 found this review helpful

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!

2 out of 5 stars

A Weak "Stand" May 30, 2008
15 out of 23 found this review helpful

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 Beyonce 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.

4 out of 5 stars

All grown up! May 27, 2008
12 out of 22 found this review helpful

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.

1 out of 5 stars

HORRIBLE!!!!! May 28, 2008
11 out of 18 found this review helpful

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.

1 out of 5 stars

Mediocre: At best! May 29, 2008
9 out of 12 found this review helpful

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!

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