Usher takes a �Stand�

But doesn’t live up to potential on new CD

By William Earl

2008-05-21

Blast from the past

Isaac Hayes
“Hot Buttered Soul”
Enterprise

One of the few efficient combinations of deep soul and a jam band mentality, rich baritone legend Isaac Hayes led a crack band through an improvisational workout with this 1969 disc. An LP with only four tracks, “Hot Buttered Soul” was considered immensely challenging upon its release, and studio executives were concerned that the record would flop. Not surprisingly, the work became a classic, and is considered a bedrock of experimental soul. Try the sinful flow of “Walk On By,” Hayes’ extended take on the country classic “By The Time I Get To Phoenix,” and the mesmerizing “Hyperbolicsyllabic-
sesquedalymistic.”

Usher’s massive career has yielded three smash records, yet with the release of his next surefire smash, “Here I Stand,” he has never sounded less sure of himself. In fact, instead of trying to mold another hit, Usher is aiming to become the next R. Kelly, ignoring much of the magic which ignited his career in the first place.

What is most unfortunate about the R&B superstar is that he cannot find thematic structure within the mix of “Stand.” While his last album, the 2004 “Confessions,” developed Usher’s sound by allowing him to explore adulthood post-superstardom, the newest disc cannot decide which aspect of the artist’s personality to explore. One minute the crooner waxes about absolute love for his girl (“Something Special”), and in the next he offers to sex up someone he met (first single “Love In This Club”).

This bipolar approach to slow jams works for an artist such as R. Kelly, whose relationship ambiguity has been the subject of tabloid (and courtroom) fodder for years. Yet Usher, who recently married and fathered a child, now sounds a bit creepy as he is propositioning random women for a rendezvous.

This is not the only problem with the work. While Kelly can use his brilliant vocals to carry a substandard song, Usher has always relied upon slick beats and his charm to get by. Yet the beats on “Stand” are not nearly as memorable as prior efforts. “This Ain’t Sex” offers a beat reminiscent of mid-‘90s Janet Jackson, which is as dated as it is forgettable. “Trading Places” takes an interesting concept — switching conventional gender roles while dating — and ruins it with a meandering, unfocused background. And “Before I Met You” is a generic revisit of the “I became a better man when I met you” genre.

There are a few bright spots on the album. “Best Thing” features a funky Jermaine Dupri-helmed beat, and coupled with a Jay-Z cameo, it could be one of the best singles to arrive from the album. But outside of this standout and a few other organic beats, the whole disc sounds a little stale. The raw energy which sprung from “Confessions” and the slick beats of earlier work would be welcome, and hopefully some of this magic will spring up from his next work. Usher is still young, and he may trust his own unique brand of magic next time around.

Cumberland native Bill Earl recently graduated from Ithaca College and his fans are all waiting to see where he’ll land next.