Usher
Here I Stand
LaFace

What Usher’s new anthem about public-grindin’, “Love In This Club,” lacks in artistic depth is barely compensated by Usher’s apparent, expanding vocal range. The song’s melody barely exists, and Young Jeezy certainly doesn’t add anything. He may not “care who’s watchin’,” but shouldn’t Usher care who’s listenin’? This may be the worst single Usher will ever release. It’s as if the focus was more about its highly sexual subject rather than the song itself.

“Touch” has more of the goods – tuneful, although it bows to over-production, a common dynamic to Usher’s records. He almost sounds like a guest on his own track here. However, “Moving Mountains” is a sincere vocal effort for those who might be paying attention. Again, the noisy production, unfortunately, eclipses one of the better Usher vocal performances to date.

His last album was a multi-platinum beast, and – whether you’re a fan or not; have any expectations or not -- Here I Stand isn’t the vehicle that will elevate Usher critically, but fans will sop it up with a biscuit.