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At nearly 70 minutes, the disc could certainly have used a stronger editing hand, and even in his newly revelatory state, Usher remains more a smooth entertainer than an astute lyricist. Still, a good portion of Stand's tunes deserve a place in the dance-floor pantheon--and, yes, in the bedroom, too.
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Here I Stand is almost exactly the kind of release you'd expect a 29-year-old Usher to deliver in 2008, and while it is seriously doubtful the album will move more copies than the nearly diamond platinum "Confessions," there is plenty to like about it.
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The album would be much better without its excess of undistinguished ballads, but that aside, it's a more accomplished version of "Confessions," the hooks more effortless, the singing even better, the songwriting more consistent.
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He sounds much more convincing on syrupy ballads like the Dre and Vidal-produced title track, which lyrically and musically sounds more passionate and more adult than Usher ever has.
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After a four-year break, Usher's fifth set is bursting with grown man, true-to-life tales like leaving his player ways behind ("Before I Met You"), falling in love ("Something Special," "Lifetime" and the title track), making love ("This Ain't Sex") and having a child.
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The honesty on display in the songwriting and the deft, diverse production are both startling and satisfying.
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But tension, not bliss, creates the album’s best songs.
Awards & Rankings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 24 out of 34
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Mixed: 3 out of 34
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Negative: 7 out of 34
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JamarioP.Jul 16, 2008
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marionc.May 30, 2008Of course it won't sell or be a spopular as confessions or 8701 bc the radio played so many big singles but overall this was a good cd.
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DJKNIGHTXIIIMay 27, 2008Lovely album from Usher. If we are just to talk about the stunning ballad Moving mountains then the album deserves a 10 for that track alone.