2008 Woodie Awards
'Confessions' barely lives up to expectations
Usher's latest album has its hits, but predominantly nothing but misses
Brian Babcock
Date created: 4/5/04 Section: ENTERTAINMENT
With so much going for it, why would the album end up so far from a satisfying end? One reason could be that Usher had almost nothing to do with the writing of the songs. Look in credits and you'll find his name very seldomly. Even when it does pop up in a few songs it's drowned out by five or six other names. Maybe he had some input on what should be written for the album but he's been around the business for so long one would expect (when the material was going to be so personal) he would have a larger part in the writing process.
A second reason is that Usher says the album isn't specifically about his relationship with Chilli. Uhh, what? Apparently, he's gone so far as to say he's just being creative and the album isn't an autobiography. If that's true then why title the album, "Confessions"? Why try to play it off like your trying to say something when you're not?
Another reason why the album didn't live up to expectations is that the majority of the songs are just plain lame. Besides the radio singles, the only honorable mentions are "Confessions Part II," "Simple Things," and "Superstar." The rest of the songs are mundane and don't showcase Usher's true talent.
Throughout "Confessions," Usher sings about lost love, about how sorry he is for the things he has done and the usual things that R&B singers sing about. But the impression that comes off is one of a man who just used his situation to make money. Most of the songs feel dishonest and not truly from the heart. America loves sappy love songs and that's what Usher tried to give to people. Too bad he couldn't have meant it.
Even Usher said it himself. In a recent Associated Press article in which he talked about the inspiration for his new material, he said it was from, "a story that I have not went through first hand but have experienced."
What the hell does that mean?
A second reason is that Usher says the album isn't specifically about his relationship with Chilli. Uhh, what? Apparently, he's gone so far as to say he's just being creative and the album isn't an autobiography. If that's true then why title the album, "Confessions"? Why try to play it off like your trying to say something when you're not?
Another reason why the album didn't live up to expectations is that the majority of the songs are just plain lame. Besides the radio singles, the only honorable mentions are "Confessions Part II," "Simple Things," and "Superstar." The rest of the songs are mundane and don't showcase Usher's true talent.
Throughout "Confessions," Usher sings about lost love, about how sorry he is for the things he has done and the usual things that R&B singers sing about. But the impression that comes off is one of a man who just used his situation to make money. Most of the songs feel dishonest and not truly from the heart. America loves sappy love songs and that's what Usher tried to give to people. Too bad he couldn't have meant it.
Even Usher said it himself. In a recent Associated Press article in which he talked about the inspiration for his new material, he said it was from, "a story that I have not went through first hand but have experienced."
What the hell does that mean?
