In a small crowded room in midtown Manhattan ladies in high heel pumps were tapping their feet to the beat, heads were nodding, and shoulders were bouncing.  No, this wasn’t the scene of a new club opening, but it could have been, as Sixshot was invited to sit in on Usher’s listening session at the offices of Jive Records. 

With speakers blaring Sixshot, was ready to hear the evolution of a male R&B/pop superstar.  Check below for our track-by-track review to find out where we stand on Usher’s latest release. 

“Love In This Club,”: Usher’s lead single is a no-brainer as it’s already a hit on the charts, and of course in the clubs.  The track is classic Usher: smooth vocal delivery, a sing-along hook, and a bounce along groove.  This is the type of track that isn’t too intimidating for anyone to try and dance to, as I’ve seen many wallflowers bravely make their way to the middle of the dancefloor everytime this track comes on in the club.

“This Ain’t Sex”:  It may not be sex, but this song feels pretty good.  The groove is reminiscent of old-school Michael Jackson; somewhere between “Off the Wall” and “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough.”  There’s a nice disco undertone and some strong bass.  Lyrically, Usher tells a young lady that he doesn’t want to have sex, but instead make love.  Now, that’s a real player move!            

“Trading Places”:  No, this isn’t an ode to the Eddie Murphy film, but instead a provocative little number where Usher decides to flip the script.  Lyrically, Usher wants to trade places with his woman and have her play the traditional male role inside and outside the bedroom, while he is the submissive one.  All I could think was, “Wow, Tameka must have really put it on Usher if he’s willing to play the female role in a relationship.”  But don’t get it twisted because vocally Usher is definitely in control, especially on the breakdown where he cries out in ecstasy with guitar licks all over the place.  The track will remind you of J. Holiday’s “Bed,” but that’s not a bad thing at all.

“Moving Mountains”:  With all of the talk about love making and sex, Usher decides to get emotional for his second single.  Lyrically, the song follows a relationship heading down the wrong path as Usher tries his best to save it from destruction.  The production does a very fine job of creating an emotional atmosphere with the piano keys trickling down like raindrops.  Usher sounds deeply invested too as he goes in and out of his falsetto.  The fellas might be forced to shed a tear to this one.

“What’s Your Name”:  There’s a strong electro feel here that reminded me of The Eurythmics’ “Sweet Dreams Are Made of This.”  It wasn’t made clear whether or not this was an actual sample or not.  Will.I.Am not only produced the song but he’s also featured on the track.  He spits some non-sense on the first verse but makes up for it on his second verse.  I can’t tell you exactly what he says but it sounds kind of funky.  Somehow, the track feels odd coming from Usher as Will.I.Am steals the show. 

“Prayer for You”:  This interlude opens with a baby crying as Usher begins to speak on the joys of fatherhood.  While this offer some insight into just how grown and mature Usher has become I’m not sure if fans are ready for Usher—the dad.  After all, they had a hard enough time accepting him getting married.  Nonetheless, the interlude is sweet but oddly placed in the middle of what is so far shaping out to be a well put together “let’s get it on” first half of the album.  The interlude would have been more effective toward the end of the album.

“Something Special”:  Usher joins his homeboy, Jermaine Dupri, who produced this track.  An acoustic guitar opens the song and you immediately know that is one for the lovers.  You might think you’re at an intimate coffee-house performance until the beat kicks it in and gives the track some wonderfully retro doo-wop flavor.  This is a bit of a departure from the rest of the album’s modern production sound, but it suits Usher just fine as his vocals and the sentimental lyrics about the joys of a new love take center stage.

“Love You Gently”:  This is produced by the strong R&B team of Dre & Vidal (Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey), but somehow they came up with a bit of a dud.  Nothing truly terrible here, but the song suffers from being a pretty basic and routine bedroom jam.  The one interesting part is the chorus which features Usher proclaiming himself to be, “Light as a feather but hard as a rock.”  I’ll let all you Usher devotees read as much into that line as you please.

“Best Thing”:  The clash and explosion of bass and drums opens this song which also features special guest, Jay-Z.  Lyrically, Usher regrets doing wrong in a past relationship.  Jay-Z’s second verse finds him stating that he’s ready to settle down.  Well, we really didn’t need it since it's quite obvious, but there’s even more confirmation that he got married to Ms. Beyonce.  This is one for the road when you’re driving down the highway with the top down. 

“Before I Met You”:  A mid-tempo song with a similar lyrical concept to “Best Thing.”  Let’s just say the previous song did it better.  Next!

“His Mistakes”:  This sounds like a hit and not only for the R&B audience but even for the Top 40 pop crowd.  Now, don’t get scared with the pop talk—Usher hasn’t gone all Justin Timberlake on us.  What Usher has done is create a mid-tempo gem about asking a woman to not make him pay for the mistakes of her previous failed relationship.  Again, another concept we can all relate to.  Nice work!

“Appetite”:  All the men will be able to relate to this song and all the women will appreciate the insight this track offers into the demon known as temptation.  Usher sings about trying to stay away from cheating while in a relationship.  In one scenario he finds himself almost caught up in what was an innocent conversation with a woman that could lead to adultery.  Musically, there are snaps and some effective swirling violins that heighten the overall anticipation and dramatic atmosphere.  My appetite was satisfied.

“What’s a Man to Do”:  Well, I don’t know about you but what this man wanted to do was skip ahead to the next track.  The only thing that stands out is the operatic voice in the background and the strings which I still can’t get out of my head.

“Lifetime”:  Out of all the songs about love and devotion on the album this is the biggest disappointment.  Lyrically, there’s noting new with Usher singing about wanting to spend his lifetime with a woman.  The safe mid-tempo production adds no new dimension to the album. 

“Love in This Club”:  For the remix there’s no major dramatic change which is a major letdown since remixes should always try and break new ground.  Beyonce coos on the opening and adds even more sex appeal to an already arousing track.  Lil’ Wayne pops in with another zany delivery.

“Here I Stand”:  This is a ballad done right.  Although lyrically I was expecting Usher to address his personal growth and gossip, he instead talks about being committed to one woman and staying loyal.  This has the feel of Dave Hollister’s “One Woman Man,” but in the vein of a ballad.

“Will Work for Love”:   I have to admit it but I’m still bit confused by the concept of this hidden track, and it didn’t help that we only get to hear each track once.  Basically, Usher has lost his heart and on the chorus he states that he will work for love.  The main issue is that the homeless metaphor doesn’t always work.  One glaring case is where Usher says to a man identified as, Mr. that he will work for love, “I’ll wash your clothes if you let me stay.”  It’s slightly homoerotic (nothing wrong with that) but I don’t think that was the intention.  Despite it all the production, melody, and hook are excellent.  I just wish someone did a second draft on the lyrics.   

This is a strong album that could have been made even stronger if it wasn’t so long.  With sixteen songs, one intro, and an interlude the themes become a bit repetitive after awhile and not all the mid-tempo material is a knockout.  With that said, Usher has definitely matured and grown, showcasing some nice vocal techniques, relatable lyrics, and a couple of stand out tracks that will help round out his already impressive catalogue.  So, of course we weren’t surprised to find Usher on top of the charts with strong potential to dominate the 2008 R&B male/pop market.