Here I Stand (Amazon Exclusive)

Usher | Format: MP3 Download

Product Details

• Original Release Date: May 27, 2008
• Label: Jive
• Copyright: (P) 2008 LaFace Records
• Total Length: 1:18:50
• Genres:
• ASIN: B0019O0W90
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (166 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #18,601 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Married Man Music (MMM), May 27, 2008

By 

Shamontiel L. Vaughn "Message from Montie" (Chicago) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Here I Stand (Audio CD)

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!

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars All grown up!, May 27, 2008

By 

Nse Ette (Lagos, Nigeria) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Here I Stand (Audio CD)

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.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I know you've heard a lot of bad...but trust me this is a solid album, December 11, 2008

By 

WILLIE ADAMS (Detroit, MI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Here I Stand (Audio CD)

When Usher first released this album back in the summer, I had my money ready to purchase. However, so many people started "doggin" the album out. I was at Walmart in the cd section and overheard two women speaking about the album saying things like "he could of done better," "I don't really like it," and other stuff. Not mention, when I asked a few friends and coworkers what they thought, I got similar replies. Plus, his first few singles were lackluster at best. So I put off getting the album, but then "Trading Places" became a single and it sounded like something from Confessions. So I finally gave the cd a try and WOW!!! I wish I would have bought it sooner.

It is a great album. I do not know why everybody thinks the album is bad or ok. Usher will not be "Forever 21" so fans must expect his music to change as he gets older as with any music artist (think of Souja Boy in 30 years).

My Favs are:

Trading Places
Moving Mountains
What's Your Name
Love You Gently
Before I Met You
Lifetime
Here I Stand

The other tracks are decent, but I have found that I repeat the tracks above the most when listening in the car.

VERDICT: Buy the album, while this is not Confessions, you should not be expecting it to be.