User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info

8701
by
  • Record Label:
  • Release Date:
8701 Image
Metascore
67

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 32 Ratings

  • Summary: Atlanta's Usher Raymond returns with his third studio release. The Neptunes, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis are among the producers.

Top Track

U Got It Bad
Oh, no, no, no, no... When you feel it in your body You found somebody who makes you change your ways Like hanging with your crew Said you act like... See the rest of the song lyrics
See Full Track List »
Powered by

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. Blender
    80
    It does what it's supposed to, giving Usher a grown-up R&B sound without reducing his boyish charm. [Aug/Sep 2001, p.131]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. Sonicnet
    80
    A strong, expressive singer, Usher is particularly adroit at seductive, late-night ballads.
  3. New Musical Express (NME)
    Jan 3, 2011
    80
    Versatility is the key here: staccato beats with mellifluous melody, rich slow-jams and edgy harmonies - but woven through with Usher's own perspective. A winner.
  4. Entertainment Weekly
    67
    Usher has settled into his voice nicely, but there's little beyond the buttery "U Remind Me" to inspire a listener chant of "four more years." [10 Aug 2001, p.74]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. Vibe
    Feb 4, 2011
    60
    Usher's back at ya with a consistent third album that has a good chance of staying afloat in a marketplace overflowing with crooning R&B clones. [Sep 2001, p.235]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. Slant Magazine
    Jan 7, 2011
    60
    Acoustic guitar work, live drums by Stokley of Mint Condition (remember them?), and a cameo by the law-brushing P. Diddy ("If making hits is a crime, I plead guilty") also lend a surprising amount of variety to what could have been an otherwise homogenized set.
  7. Q Magazine
    40
    Not quite the step forward he needed. [Sep 2001, p.122]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 11 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. KatrinaB.
    Jan 2, 2002
    10
    Usher is bad. I Love this cd, especially #'s 4 & 11!
  2. JamiraC.
    Oct 24, 2001
    10
    This album is tight U Got It Bad. Is Badd!
  4. gabiy
    Feb 19, 2007
    10
    beautiful
  5. ChelseaL.
    Jan 13, 2002
    10
    its a slammin album
  6. autumnh
    Oct 20, 2005
    10
    i love grant
  7. markeshiak
    Nov 22, 2006
    10
    i lovve usher very much
  8. audiosonique
    May 12, 2013
    7
    8701, Usher's third album, represents a step up from the more pop-oriented style of his previous albums, with a steadier, more consistent8701, Usher's third album, represents a step up from the more pop-oriented style of his previous albums, with a steadier, more consistent production, allowing Usher to express himself vocally more. However, his lack of deviation from remaining pop-friendly R&B with mid tempo filler songs like "Hottest Girl" let the album down, seductive enough to keep you listening, but not enough to captivate you towards the end of the album.

    That being said, the opening two thirds, with stand out singles U Remind Me, U Got It Bad and the Pharrell Williams-produced "U Don't Have to Call" and "I Don't Know (featuring a surprisingly low-key P. Diddy) show off Usher's vocal talents to their fullest. What the album does it does well; a solid piece of urban R&B.    … Expand

See all 11 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

67
#67 Most Discussed Album of 2001

Current Music Releases

Full List »
99 Band on the Run [50th Anniversary Edition] - Paul McCartney & Wings
95 If I don't make it, I love u - Still House Plants
95 The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow - Charles Lloyd
92 This Could Be Texas - English Teacher
92 COWBOY CARTER - Beyoncé
91 The Carnegie Hall Concert - Alice Coltrane
90 1989 (Taylor's Version) - Taylor Swift
90 Iechyd Da - Bill Ryder-Jones
89 I Got Heaven - Mannequin Pussy
89 Black Bayou - Robert Finley
89 Tigers Blood - Waxahatchee
88 Only God Was Above Us - Vampire Weekend
88 What Now - Brittany Howard
88 Hey Panda - The High Llamas
88 Orquídeas - Kali Uchis
88 The Past Is Still Alive - Hurray for the Riff Raff
87 Filthy Underneath - Nadine Shah
87 i/o - Peter Gabriel
87 Blue Lips - ScHoolboy Q
87 Bright Future - Adrianne Lenker
All Current Music »