Usher’s ‘Here I Stand’ Shows Maturity In The R&B Sensation

Usher’s latest album release ‘Here I Stand’ shows a more mature side of the R&B singer. The album which was expected in June is now available and is getting mixed reviews.

Usher’s latest album release “Here I Stand” which was previously slated for a June release date dropped Tuesday May, 27, 2008 earlier than expected. The R&B crooner had hoped for a November 2007 release last year during the time his son was born, but that mission didn’t happen so he reportedly went ahead and had the license plate on the car that’s displayed on his album cover display the birth of his son 1126.

The 29 year-old Tennessee native and R&B vocalist’s first single “Love in This Club” from the album debuted on Billboard magazine’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart at number 51, which also debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 83 and its third week got his eighth number one single. Usher later released his second version of the song “Love in This Club, Part II” which features Beyonce and Lil Wayne. Not more than a week ago on May 21, 2008, Usher released his video “Moving Mountains” on his MySpace page in hopes to help with the promotion of the single and his album.

The album “Here I Stand” features smooth ballads with some reminding you of songs off of Michael Jackson’s album “Invincible”, but can grow on you, but it’s definitely targeted towards a more mature audience and those looking for those rave-like club songs with the little uptempo beats. In his song “Trading Places” he talks about trading places (in the bed) with his woman and about washing the car, walking the dog, taking out the trash and doing things differently. The album in whole provides an ensemble of new and different flavors for every listener by the R&B sensation plus the Usher-penned signature sounding songs that fans look forward to.

The album features production by Timbaland, Polow Da Don, Jermaine Dupri, T-Pain, Jazze Pha, will.i.am, Bryan-Michael Cox, Danja, Stargate, amongst others.

TRACK LISTING
1. Intro
2. Love In This Club featuring Young Jeezy
3. This Ain’t Sex
4. Trading Places
5. Moving Mountains
6. What’s Your Name featuring will.i.am
7. Prayer For You Interlude
8. Something Special
9. Love You Gently
10. Best Thing featuring Jay Z
11. Before I Met You
12. His Mistakes
13. Appetite
14. What’s A Man To Do
15. Lifetime
16. Love In This Club Part II featuring Beyonc