Customer Reviews

Here I Stand

5 star:		(66)
4 star:		(40)
3 star:		(26)
2 star:		(20)
1 star:		(14)

 

 

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!

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.

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.

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!

I love the cd from start to finish. I've grown up with Usher and have to say that this is his best album yet. I guess you have to go through it all to like it.

Usher did an impressive job following up his 9x platinum, "Confessions" album. I'm sure it was definitely difficult attempting this. While some people may agree or disagree this is a very impressive follow-up. My only gripes about the album is the single choices. It seems they weren't probably planned since the album was rushed to coincide with "Love In This Club" taking off so fast. Single, "Moving Mountains" is very good but is way too dramatic and overlong. "Before I Met You" is one of my favorite songs on the album. I can't stop playing it. My other favorites include:
What's Your Name(which should be a single)
Best Thing
What's A Man To Do
Lifetime
Trading Places
This Ain't Sex
and more

This new album displays Usher's growth as an artist and a now married man. My husband and I listened to each track several times to get the feel of the album. We're newly married as well so it works for us, but it may not work for the younger viewers because some of the tracks are deep and serious, but we dug it though. It's a hop album, but he's Confessions album will still be his all time hit album to us. The album is what my husband likes to describe as "Grown Folks Music."

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?

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!

I didnt understand why "Here I Stand" didn't do well. I loved all of the songs. This album is one of those rare albums where you don't skip any tracks and just let it play. The only song I skip is "Prayer for you" but its just an interlude and its dedicated to his sons. BUT BUY IT!!! YOU WQNT BE DISAPPOINTED. I think people were just hating on his new marriage lifestyle and that made their decision to not be a fan of this album...which is dumb..... OH yeah and "lifetime" is also one you would skip.