Usher - Versus

Country and pop both in the same day?!?! Have I lost my marbles? Nope, it's just what came across my headphones today. When I review pop, I try to grab the hottest artist of the moment. (if I do current pop) And right now, Usher is on a really solid run. Back when I first started the blog, Usher dropped Raymond vs Raymond. That was in March or so. When I reviewed that, I recall mentioning something about the label flowing singles off that record too quickly, and that the sales would diminish after the singles stopped. Well - little did I know - they had an EP right around the corner to follow it up! EP = Extended Play for those who may not know. In the pop world, EP means a follow up to an album of tracks that maybe didn't make the original CD - or a way to generate smaller buzz after an album. In rap terms, and EP is usually a mixtape that generates buzz for an upcoming album. Slightly different. But all in all for Usher, this means he's been clogging the radio airwaves for a good 8 months now. I don't have specific issue with this, other than what he says the subject matter what about. He says it was an album exploring his life and newly single father. This album has nothing to do with that. He also put 'There Goes My Baby' on this again - which can be found on Raymond vs Raymond in the exact same form. That's lazy. Otherwise, I think Usher is also trying to appeal more to the hip hop crowd again - which is a bad move. His bread and butter is clearly in the pop area. Not many rap die hards take him seriously. Just sayin'. Anyway, this is mediocre - but worth a listen. 3 of the 9 tracks here will be (and already are) huge singles. I'd pay 4 dollars for it - that's all it's worth.

TRACK LISTING:
1. Love 'Em All
2. DJ Got Us Fallin' In Love
3. Hot Tottie
4. Lay You Down
5. Lingerie
6. There Goes My Baby
7. Get In My Car
8. Somebody To Love (Remix)
9. Stranger

Listen To Samples

Top 3 Tracks:
1. Hot Tottie
2. DJ Got Us Fallin In Love
3. There Goes My Baby (liked it last time, like it this time)

FINAL RATING:
2.5 out of 5 stars

Usher - Raymond v. Raymond

Nothing is blowing up the pop charts right now faster than Usher's March release, Raymond v. Raymond. I've heard at least 3 singles off this on popular radio airwaves already. That's actually quite crazy for a record only out for a month now. Usually they try to leak singles very slowly so you can promote the record over the course of time. This typically means the artist has another follow up coming out soon, but that does not seem to be the case. Not sure what his label is thinking, but I'd seriously expect sales to diminish once the singles stop coming out. That's just the way the business works. So, I've never been a big Usher fan. Other than the song "Yeah" (which come on, doesn't everybody like that song???), I don't care for his singles. I can safely say I've never analyzed a full Usher record before - but part of that is his style. He tries to be an R&B guy with a little mix of pop and hip hop...and I guess it never really worked for me. I didn't really know, but it sounds like he went through some heavy personal stuff while writing and making this album. A messy divorce mainly, which certainly comes through on a couple tracks. I guess I've never been a big fan of airing your dirty laundry in your music, unless you're telling the story. And this just seems to be complaining or whining almost. If you're an Usher fan, check it out...although I think you'll be disappointed. It must be selling well based on a couple singles, so we'll see how it's received 5 years from now.

TRACK LISTING:
1. Monstar
2. Hey Daddy (Daddy's Home)
3. There Goes My Baby
4. Lil Freak
5. She Don't Know
6. OMG
7. Mars vs Venus
8. Pro Lover
9. Foolin' Around
10. Papers
11. So Many Girls
12. Guilty
13. Okay
14. Making Love (Into The Night)

Listen To Samples

Top 3 Tracks:
1. Lil Freak
2. There Goes My Baby
3. Guilty

FINAL RATING:
1.5 out of 5 stars