(Yawn.) Need I say more?
Usher is too talented an artist to take the road frequently traveled! And as a modern R&B legend, it is unfortunate that Usher did not spend more time surveying the lyrical and sonic ground that Here I Stand rests upon. Even in this era of calculated marketing, such missteps are striking, not only because he is R&B royalty, but because the material does his vocals an injustice, by placing them on a plot of sinking sand.
In the past, before Usher became "Usher," he overcame similar challenges with great gusto. When "Pop Your Collar" received a professional bruising in 2000, Usher tinkered with 8701 and resurfaced with a string of massive hits: "U Remind Me," "U Got It Bad" and "U Don't Have to Call." With the advent of iTunes, however, Here I Stand suffered a different fate: the album's lead single ("Love in this Club") soared up the charts and gave Usher no compelling reason to revisit the musical terrain he placed himself upon.
Simply put, Usher talents are too good for this commercial nonsense. If only "Love in this Club" had failed at radio, then perhaps a different incarnation of Here I Stand would have hit the shelves. Unfortunately, the world will never know, since the album is now a permanent part of his musical repertoire.
Even though Here I Stand lacks substance or a fraction of innovative flair, one can assume that the (expected) re-release will "stand" upon solid ground and, hopefully, be worthy of his name, image, and talents.
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Article comments
1 - marinaa
usher 4 ever!!!!!!!