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NYT & MSNBC REVIEWS
Both The New York Times and MSNBC have given Here I Stand high marks, with MSNBC practically gushing over it, calling it a "Can't Miss" album. So now that we know what they think, what do you think? Your reviews mean just as much as the ones we read in the press so hit us with them right here!

May 28, 2008
Posted by AdamBernard
  • Currently 5.00/5
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Rating: 5.0/5 (1 vote cast)

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Usher's Album, and Apollo concert

Monday, June 9, 2008 - 10:42 am - daneishag
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I was very blessed and fortunate enough to get excellent floor seats to see Usher in concert at the Apollo on June 6th. The concert was strong and hypnatizining from beginning to finish. It was an absolute pleasure to hear the songs up close and personal, that have been in heavy rotation in my car, home and ipod since the release of his album. Usher took the audience back with "Yeah", "My Way", my all time favorite dance routine with use of a chair, for "You make me Wanna", and topped it off with the ever so smooth choreography for "Luv in this Club". Although the moves for the "Luv in this Club" video doesn't exploit his skills, this man has some of the most amazing moves I have seen in an artist. He does not over perform like other artists out right now (he simply doesn't have to), Usher has so much swag that his moves are executed with relative ease (case in point- the chest pump), and it almost looks as if they would be easy to perform on your own (we all know the answer to that one- YOU CANT). He gave a goosebump performance while singing "Moving Mountains", with amazing range and conviction, I truly felt the emotions of this song. Usher was ever so sexy with his "Slow Jam" performance, and I wish I could tell you which song he sang when he ripped off his shirt and gave us a tease of the body we are so used to seeing, but needless to say all I remember are muscles, and utter sexiness. Which was quickly taken away as he disappeared backstage for a wardrobe change. Me and the ladies around me were speechless. I personally believe that this was his way of letting us ladies know that his body is still amazingly built, even though he has chosen a more conservative choice in photo shoots. And I stand as a witness, that he still has it going on!!!!! He ended the show with a microphone toss, that spoke a million words, he needed to say no more. He is and forever will be, the greatest male in R&B. I have been a huge Usher fan since his first single "All the time I think of you", and he has failed to disappoint me with any of his albums. Here I Stand is very different from Confessions. I appreciate being able to grow and learn with Usher with every album. Usher and I are very close in age, and it almost feels as if we are maturing together in a lot of ways. He remains true to himself and what his experiences are regardless of how the mainstream r&b, and pop records sound/feel. Here I Stand has taken a major risk, by being truly original, real and mature, but it WORKS!!!!!!! Usher you go baby!!!!!!!! And I am not surprised, the king of R&B has done it again! If you haven't already done so, cop that album!

My Thoughts On Here I Stand....

Thursday, May 29, 2008 - 2:55 pm - bluewarrior1920
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Usher
Here I Stand
May 27, 2008
Rating 3

His Return…

As I listen to the songs on this compact disc, I think to myself the man has grown dramatically over his five year hiatus and the growth shows in a way that it leaves a different feel than what most are use to when they think of Usher.

When I first started listening I wanted to solely pay attention to it for the sheer enjoyment but after going, back to listen to it for the second time I found that I enjoyed his Prayer for You (Interlude), Something Special, and Best Thing the most. Truthfully, it was expected from me for him to put his son on the piece somewhere as well as when you listen to “Something Special” you could tell he was showing love to his wife, which I thought, was unique.

With him teaming up with Jay-Z on “Best Thing,” I think the beat caught my attention but the song was one of the songs that had a nice musical background to it. To say that he opened up with his hit “Love in This Club” I can defiantly say he’s back and he’s going to give his fan what he always gives them a show to remember.

As a fan of Usher’s this is not my favorite compilation but it is an appreciated piece and I definitely look forward to the next complication and as always Mr. Raymond will always have my support.

Brendon's review of "Here I Stand"

Wednesday, May 28, 2008 - 12:57 pm - HereIStand
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Brendon's Review:
1. The album begins with the Intro, floating around blog sites named "Forever Young". This song is a nice beginning to the album... sounds like Ush may have gotten a bit of inspiration from being on Broadway. Origninal way to open the album.
2. Next, is the smash "Love in This Club" ft Young Jeezy. We all, by now, know that Polow produced this electric track. It's a great beginning to a highly anticipated album. His confident demeanor is shown as he sings "Got some friends rollin' with you, thats cool. You can leave 'em with my homies, let them know that I got you..."
3. "This Ain't Sex" follows the club scene... The beat is kinda 'back-in-the-day' like, MichaelJacksony. Ush explains to his girl that what they're doing isn't "Sex", its "...Making moments, that will outlast the world." This would be a great song to see in concert; You can actually catch him performing this on SNL and Radio City 1 Big Weekend.
4. "Trading Places" is both creative and inventive. Usher sings in the song "...This is how it feels when you do it like me, we're Trading Places. Gon Get it.." In this song, he takes you through day-to-day happenings of a boyfriend and girlfriend/wife & husband. Only, Ush reverses all the roles. The guy makes the bed and gets picked up by the girl... the girl is the one pushing for the 'deed'. I don't know if anyone else could do this song.
5. "Moving Mountains", as it says on the album cover, is epic. This song gives me chills whenever I listen to it. One of the best songs on the cd: Lyrically, Production-wise, Vocally, and Subject-matter. Unbelieveable deliverance from Ush and his team. Makes this song sound so true. It's going to be an anthem for couples in hard times.
6. Next up is the Will.I.Am produced track "What's Ya Name". (Also, features Will.I.Am)The perfect amount of 'young-savvy' Usher needed on his album. Ush knew he could'nt go all "ChrisBrowny" on everybody, and have extremely Poppy hits. He knows his age and maturity. He's grown. Fun beat, Electric mood, and catchy-as-hell lyrics!
7. "Prayer for You"[Interlude]... This interlude is very touching. He begins with his baby boy laughing and crying a bit. He says jokingly "I sound that bad?!" haha. He dedicates this to his son & makes this a promise to his son that he'll always be there.
8. "Something Special" may be one of the most different types of songs on the album. There is guitar and drums in the background. When listening to this album, Ryan had said "Sounds like a Robin Thicke track"... I don't know if I can sum it up any better. Great, Interesting song. If you like Robin Thicke, you'll like this one. Not the strongest on the album, but definitley worth listening too.
9. "Love You Gently" is possibly the best R&B song in the past few years. One of the best in Ush's career. He sings "Let me love you gennnntlyyyy... Light as a feather, hard as a rock..." His lyrics are some of the best on the album. In the Billboard interview he says this song is the 'Ultimate baby making song'. Hes right... Lovers will be jammin' to this track for years & years & years.
10. "Best Thing" is featuring Jay Z. Overall, this track is the weakest song on the album. The beat is too normal, too indifferent. Usher delivers vocally, but with the beat... it's not captivating, Jay-Z has a couple good lines, but it is really just another RnB star featuring a Rap artist. Worth listening to, though. We would have rather seen "Play Me" or "Echo" or "Just Like Me" on the album, than this track.
11. "Before I Met You" is stellar. Lyrically, Usher shows that he is still stong and in the game. He is showing he's involved with his artistry. This song may be good competition for Chris Browns "I Wanna Be". Usher begins the song with "Just incase I never see your face again, Just incase the worst was meant to happen, Just incase tomorrow never comes... there is something you should know. I've given you every bit of the man I am..." He let's his girl know that she has made a huge difference in his life and that he's commited to her. He's hers, he'll "love [her] for life". One of my favs on the album!!!
12. "His Mistakes" seemed like it would be one of the best on the album, when it leaked. Yet, after hearing all the tracks and the album as a whole, it seems more like a filler. Superb lyrics and arrangement... but still not up to the par of most other tracks on the album.
13. "Appetite" is a fresh beat... great for the car. This is one of the up-tempo songs on the album. The chorus is seductive and pulls you in. You'll be singing this one after hearing it once.
14. "What's a Man to Do" is a great ballad asking, well... "Whats a man to do?!". It's about a man who feels for two women. He's confused and needs some help... he doesn't know what to do. We can picture Chris Brown, Dream, or Mario on a remix for this one. Kind of reminds me of Mario's "Do Right".
15. "Lifetime" is produced by Ush's own brother J-Lack. This track is a great song for you and your lady. Basically, Ush tells his girl that he'll be there for a lifetime, he'll love her for a lifetime, and hes been waiting a lifetime for the one. Easy-going beat sets off the tone for this relaxing track. This song reminds me of a few songs from the 'Confessions' album like "Truth Hurts", "Simple Things" and "That' What it's Made For".
16. "Love in This Club Pt. 2" featuring Beyonce & Lil' Wayne is up next. Cool remix, yet... I don't know if it should have had a place on the album. Lil' Wayne's verse sounds some-what out of place. If the beat was quicker, more up-tempo, it may sound right... Good remix, but maybe not for the album.
17. Ending the album is the deep track "Here I Stand". "Hear I Stand" is about showing that he is here to stay, he's here for his fans, his wife & family, and his friends. "No matter how far I go, No matter how long it takes, No one or nothing can change. Forever yours, here I stand." Very MarvinGaye-esque and LuthorVandross-esque. He takes us back to when RnB was soulfull and somewhat Jazzy. Gret way to wrap up the album.
(*18. If you have patience... about 2:02 minutes after "Here I Stand" ends, a hidden track "Will Work for Love" begins to play. This track is on the same track as Here I Stand (Track # 17). Awesome, awesome, awesome. This song is catchy, and worth the 2 minute wait to get to it. It's about a man who fell on hard times and needs a bit of help. He wants his girl but he needs some love and kindness. Now this is the true way to end a CD.)
In the end, the album leaves, me at least, very happy and excited. I'm glad to have waited the 4+ years for this album. It shows maturity abd growth. The album covers love, urges, grace, percerverance, life, and strength. Usher came out very strong with this LP, so deff. go BUY IT and support him. Ryan and I give it a 9.5/10.0. He proves he's still on top... especially with his demeanor, swag, and vocal abilities. Usher's back... Get ready Chris Brown/Ne-Yo...are you ready?!

Comment and/or Holler at abereagle15@aim.com! I'd love to see/hear your opinion!!!


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