Usher's sixth studio album, Raymond vs Raymond, is way hotter than I expected. The album has unveiled the three different persona of the American R&B artist. All those fourteen songs (one additional song can be downloaded in iTunes) tell a story of a man searching for pleasure, true love and the honest truth.
The Good
1) The cover design of the album is perhaps one of the coolest in history. The idea of showing the left and right frontal side of Usher immediately gets your attention. It will keep you guessing what has to be expected once you pop the disc inside the CD player.
2) The order of the track seems unique. I have nothing to criticize about it. The fourteen songs are trying to paint a picture out of the various intensities and sounds.
3) Somehow, it is all back to basics for Usher. He's exploring around but at the same time, he's feeling more comfortable to making fast and upbeat music. As Mark Edward Nero of About.com said; "Sex, love, cheating and drama - the four basic ingredients in most of his previous work - are all in abundance here, and Usher has definitely regained his mojo."
4) I am hearing a more ambitious and much thirsty Usher in Raymond vs Raymond. The type of Usher in You Make Me Wanna + U Got it Bad + Yeah combined in one.
The Bad
The messages of the songs are all over the place and are inconsistent from the whole idea of what the album is all about. There are times it baffles you- but once you start to bring together the white spaces in between, you'll see the truth and suddenly realize, "Usher simply wants to be happy."
My Top Five Picks
1) Track 6: OMG featuring will.i.am
Usher showed fantastic vocals and dancing moves when he performed this song in 2010 American Idol Top 10 Result Show. Will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas, the songwriter, has definitely helped Usher uncover a different zone inside him. A zone that he feels comfortable while sprinkling it with a unique taste of vibe. Rating: 4 of 5 stars
2) Track 4: Lil Freak featuring Nicki Minaj
This is basically another Usher's horny song just like in the old days. It sounds like the setting was inside a brothel. Agree? Usher is having fun, good for him. The one great thing is this song will give you the kick to start your day with a HURRAH. The stirring beat with Nicki Minaj's dirty rap simply goes on and on and that's absolutely hot. Rating: 4 of 5 stars
3) Track 9: Foolin' Around
This is the type of song that has a depth and one you listen to it, you'll see the dissatisfied Usher who's questioning WHY. Usher has a good approach of telling a story of a man who wants to let go of a romantic relationship that won't work. Rating: 5 of 5 stars
4) Track 10: Papers
This is the first buzz single of the album and reached number one in US R&B Billboard Charts for two weeks. The first time you listen to it, you can instantly feel the pain and hurt of a man undergoing a divorce. Rating: 4 of 5 stars
5) Track 1: Monstar
The way I see it, this is simply the "just the right thing" to open a Hip-Hop/R&B album. It feels weird to hear Monstar the first time because of its overly produced heavy beat all around. Yet, if you'll listen to it again, you'll realize "Hey, this song got the groove, yeah, I am digging it!" Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
This song is kinda hot, makes you think and feel especially when Usher opens up and say-
There's three sides to every story,
There's one side, there's the other
And then there's the truth.
There's also the bonus track of the album and it's only available for downloads in iTunes. It's called MORE.
Overall rating: Usher's Raymond vs Raymond is a powerful album. Usher is starving for creativity and is in the hunt for more. He showed the world he has still the ability to draw a mark in one's mind and heart. For that, I'll give it 8 of 10 stars.
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