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
The word on the street is that Usher cheated on his now ex-girlfriend Rozanda Thomas, better known as "Chilli" from TLC. Who'd he cheat on her with? Some random girl, who is now expecting a baby, if you believe his song "Confessions Part II" from his new album, "Confessions," which came out on March 23.
The first song off the album, "Yeah!," is a very catchy tune that would get any wallflower out on the dance floor. The beat, done by the red-hot Lil' Jon, bumps while Ludacris jumps in to fill out the song with a little rap solo. The song is a smash hit.
There have been rumors about Usher's infidelity, and when the album title became known, everyone expected an album that would lead us to the soul of who Usher was. This was his album. He said the break-up with Chilli broke his heart. So the thought was that he was going to open up and say sorry for what he did. He was going to let the world in on who he was and how he really felt. This wasn't going to be just another random sex-groove R&B album-this was going to have substance.
Well, if that's what you thought, this album will be a total disappointment when you listen to it.
The truth of the matter is that it didn't have to be this way. When you first pick up the album and look at the song list, you'll notice that one of the executive producers of the album is L.A. Reid, who is a master at crafting hit albums. Reid has produced such chart topping albums as TLC's "Fanmail" and just recently discovered Avril Lavigne, turning her into a worldwide sensation.
Then you have to throw in the fact that not only was the first song off the album a success but so was the second song, "Burn," which was written by Jermaine Dupri. It's actually a very touching song that anyone can relate to. The song is about a breakup that both of the people in the relationship don't want. They love each other but they're not happy and things just aren't going right for them. Instead of staying together and going through the same problems over and over, Usher says just cut it off now and just let the feelings burn.
The first song off the album, "Yeah!," is a very catchy tune that would get any wallflower out on the dance floor. The beat, done by the red-hot Lil' Jon, bumps while Ludacris jumps in to fill out the song with a little rap solo. The song is a smash hit.
There have been rumors about Usher's infidelity, and when the album title became known, everyone expected an album that would lead us to the soul of who Usher was. This was his album. He said the break-up with Chilli broke his heart. So the thought was that he was going to open up and say sorry for what he did. He was going to let the world in on who he was and how he really felt. This wasn't going to be just another random sex-groove R&B album-this was going to have substance.
Well, if that's what you thought, this album will be a total disappointment when you listen to it.
The truth of the matter is that it didn't have to be this way. When you first pick up the album and look at the song list, you'll notice that one of the executive producers of the album is L.A. Reid, who is a master at crafting hit albums. Reid has produced such chart topping albums as TLC's "Fanmail" and just recently discovered Avril Lavigne, turning her into a worldwide sensation.
Then you have to throw in the fact that not only was the first song off the album a success but so was the second song, "Burn," which was written by Jermaine Dupri. It's actually a very touching song that anyone can relate to. The song is about a breakup that both of the people in the relationship don't want. They love each other but they're not happy and things just aren't going right for them. Instead of staying together and going through the same problems over and over, Usher says just cut it off now and just let the feelings burn.
