Usher - Here I Stand (Laface/Zomba, 2008) 3 out of 10
The most significant chunk of consecutive music I'm currently capable of enjoying on the new Usher album is the last 51 seconds of a song called "Appetite," produced by hitmaking Timbaland protege Danja. Regarding this part of the song, Usher:
- is singing over a sparse electro backdrop with a arpeggiated synth chord progression I find pleasing
- has a lovely backing vocal harmony thing going that isn't redundant, superfluous, or unsatisfyingly reminiscent of Michael Jackson or Justin Timberlake
- does not sound like an unappealing robot, but rather, as you might expect him to sound (at least in previous years), a smooth, capable human R&B singer with decent instincts
- does not come across as epically shrill
- is not attempting to "keep it real" with unconvincing, throwback soul songs or rote balladry
- is not relying on a "hit concept" such as on the nationwide smash hit (produced by Polow da Don) "Love in This Club," which, I might add, is exactly as insulting to anyone but the deaf as the worst children's music I've ever encountered (later, there is a slightly less awful "Love In This Club Part II," with a boring verse by Beyonce and a typically confounding and typically semi-amazing, quasi-unlistenable "verse" by Lil Wayne)
- provides respite from the rest of the trend-mining material on Here I Stand, yet another disc to throw on the pile of 70+-minute, exhausting, weak-sledgehammer-hook-packing, kitchen-sink-including, Jay-Z-featuring mainstream R&B formula-parade albums
What I'm trying to say is it's a really nice ending of a song, and also, Stargate, Ne-Yo, Jermaine Dupri, Tricky Stewart, and will.i.am are all tiring, tiring, tiring, now and probably forever. There is nothing sonically or lyrically compelling or unique about these songs, so if you're not going to give me a nice tune like Danja and Usher have so kindly offered at the end of their collaboration, please don't make me listen to your/everyone's drum machines, your/everyone's autotune, your/everyone's nausea-inducing coffee-shop guitars and your/everyone's obnoxious sawtooth-wave synthesizers (Stargate, Ne-Yo, I'm SERIOUS). I don't want them or need them. Here but for the grace of God I stand.
-Spencer Owen
My Trusted MOGs
"semi-amazing, quasi-unlistenable 'verse' by Lil Wayne" haha yup it's a fine line. can't wait to run home and listen to my copy :P by the grace of god...
My Trusted MOGs
I see that title and I can't get the naughty scatological verse out of my head. You know. The one that begins "Here I sit, broken-hearted..."
My Trusted MOGs
Pretty much what I was doing, even though if the whole album was like those 51 seconds, I wouldn't have much to complain about...
My Trusted MOGs
BTW, nicely done in the realm of damning with faint praise, Spencer. (If that's not what you were doing, all apologies.)
My Trusted MOGs
Spencer, now you made me want to listen to this, which wasn't your goal, and yet here I go....I'm only doing it for you, so that I can find your review even funnier than I already do. I hope you can live with the weight of this blame...
My Trusted MOGs
I already had no desire to listen to the album before I read a single review. But this one by Spencer is the nail in the coffin.
I literally can't remember any positive remarks about "Here I Stand" from anybody whos listened (outside of the 51 second shindig in this review)
My Trusted MOGs
Now I don't feel bad that I only listened to it once...and really don't remember anything about it.
My Trusted MOGs
lol I've been putting off listening to the album because i know it's not going to be good. I've got to force myself to give it at least a once over.. Do you think there's a small possibility it could at least grow on you?
My Trusted MOGs
Possible? Sure it's possible. Even likely. Give me a couple months or constant bombardment by radio and television, and I'll be right back here telling you that I was too quick to judge the album and singing it's praises. :)
Nah, who knows. Maybe I'll give it another listen.
My Trusted MOGs
that's true... they'll "force" us to like it.