Usher

Confessions

Usher Holds it Down

Review Score:

(8/10)
No matter how you look at it, Usher has ascended into the platform of greatness. Just like Michael Jackson or any other singer with phenomenal sales and the one who defines or is an important part of a generation in music, Usher is just that for the current times. His 2nd CD had great success with over 6 million in sales and his third studio effort, 8701, has sold more than 4 million. He has had hit singles off both efforts. Nonetheless, this CD eclipses the success of both of them in opening with over 1 million copies in one week and since selling over 3 million copies in less than two months with two #1 singles- Yeah and Burn.

YEAH- Everybody has heard this song featuring Ludacris and Lil' Jon. This Crunk Hip-Hop R&B cut is definitely innovative with Usher's equally distinctive vocals leading this cut. It was a very refreshing cut. Produced by Lil' Jon. A

THROWBACK- This song certainly got a throwback or old school vibe to it. Produced by Just Blaze, this cut reminds me of Jay Z's SONG CRY a little. It is a song that talks about gettin back with a good love that he regrettably lost or gave up. All of the parts of this song work good together includig the background singer with her soulful voice adding depth to the song as does the guitar which comes in the song at certain parts. This could definitely be released as a single. A+

CONFESSIONS PT. 2- The thing with the singles is that radio picked the singles even before Usher or his record company officially released them. This is the third single off the CD and is the title track. Produced by the tight team of Jermaine Dupri and Bryan Michael Cox who have produced tracks for Jagged Edge, this mid-tempo two beat song is hot. It is Usher confessing some things that have not necessarily happened to him but something that alot of men can relate to. I am just surprised at how creative the beat and the melody is arranged in this song and put together. A

BURN- 2nd single which hit #1 and produced by Jermaine Dupri and Bryan Michael Cox as the last track. This song reminds me of Usher's u GOT IT BAD and it cannot say which is better because they both are strong cuts. If u want to hear Usher do his version of a power ballad, here it goes. Of course, a lil bit of everybody has heard this song which has blown up everywhere so it needs no explanations. One of the best parts is the breakdown towards the end. A

CAUGHT UP- Produced by Vidal Davis and Andre Harris who also produced cuts on Mariah Carey's 2002 CD, this old school 80s sounding track looks at being caught up by a girl who he is sprung on and has no control over the feelings he is gettin from vibin with her. This uptempo track, one of the few on the CD, is unlike other songs heard before. A-

SUPERSTAR- Produced by Andre Harris and Vidal Davis again, this is one of my favorite cuts on the CD. It is arranged very well with the beat which kind of disappears in its presence only to come back at you is off da chain. The song talks about being a groupie or infatuated by a certain someone. Usher flips it to make that one his superstar. It is unlike many other tracks out there and is very enjoyable. A+

TRUTH HURTS- Produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis and Bobby Ross Avila and IZ, this song which looks at the fact that many times the truth hurts is nothing special.It is the first song that sounds like something we have all heard before in R&B. However, Usher's soft tenor blends in well with the song which is kind of breezy but laidback. B+

SIMPLE THINGS- Produced by Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, Bobby Ross Avila and IZ, this cut talks about the "simple things" that we all want, men and women. Of course, Usher sings it for tha ladies saying that they want the little things as well such as just pure love and not all the material things. The song is nothing new because like the former it sounds like other tracks that we have heard before but the message is positive and cool. It is a midtempo with a very present drum beat. The vocals are arranged good on the tracks. B+

BAD GIRL- Produced by Destro Music, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, Bobby Ross Avila and IZ, this cut is very creative with its rock-like vibe to its heavily R&B quality. Usher talks about the bad girls getting at him. This is no standout but it aint a bad track either. It is like new school, new millenium Michael Jackson or something. It is creative just by the mentioned fact of mxing in a little rock into the song. B+

THAT'S WHAT IT MADE FOR- Produced by Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, Big Jim Wright, Bobby Ross Abila and IZ, this cut which has that old-school mixed with tha new-school vibe to it. This is another one of the better cuts. The only thing I do not like is the strongly sexual nature of the song but that aside, it is a good song. A mid-tempo with a keyboard and drum beat that kina sounds magical. A

CAN u HANDLE IT?-Produced by (Robin) Thicke and Pro J, this cut is also se in nature as it looks at whether she can handle the lovin' he is gon give. The song is just what modern music is about. It is a slow groove with everything in the right place. The inclusion of the female voice, Usher's on-pitch and on-key vocals hitting the right notes at the right time. This is almost one of those musical modern masterpiece. A

DO IT TO ME- Produced by Jermaine Dupri and Bryan Michael Cox, this song is also se in nature. U can tell by the title but Usher holds it down again. The cut is reminiscent of Prince who came back this year with MUSICOLOGY, the song is done well with every part. Usher uses his falsetto voice well on the song. A+

TAKE yOUR HAND- Produced by Rich Harrison, this is probably the weakest cut on the CD. The almost up-tempo with elements of "Is There A Place for Me?" by Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes, the song is nothing special AT ALL. C+

FOLLOW ME- Produced by Andre Harris and Vidal Davis, next to YEAH, this is probably the next best faster tempoed track. The song is just tight which talks about a girl followin him around cuz she understands him. The cut is arranged good with the background vocals and the music. The chorus is catchy with its "Come follow me, Come follow me, Come follow me." A+

Overall, the CD is tight. Usher talks about taking R&B in a new direction. I do not think he took it in a totally new direction but he took it in another direction. It is refreshing to hear these confessional and "real" songs which do not really sound like many other tracks. There are really no filler tracks which is hard to find on any CD. All of the songs are just good. The only problem is that seeing Usher on MTV Diary, I can tell that he has range. But he dont use that range that much on the CD. U kno he can sing but he really does not explore all the depths and areas of his voice. Other than that, this CD is almost a modern music masterpiece. Usher holds it down no doubt

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