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Album Details
- Artist: Usher
- Album: Looking 4 Myself
- Label: RCA Records
- Year of Release: 2012
- ME Rating:
- Reviewed by: carlita on 2012-06-20
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RecommendFor Usher fans, the frequently asked question among each other is "Were you a fan before/and or after Confessions (his Grammy-winning diamond-selling opus)? I happen to fall in the first category. Was initially captivated by his self-titled debut in 1994, truly loved My Way (so wanted to be the girl in the "Nice & Slow" video), 8701 (still rock "You Don't Have to Call") and Confessions was the icing on the "birthday cake". But after album #4, my ears unfortunately lost interest. On album #7, would I again find what I was Looking 4?
Watching Usher's concert live from London on YouTube, the man who brought us swishy-haired phenom Justin Bieber, alluded that this new album, Looking 4 Myself, would be EDM dubstep heavy which sounded internal alarms. Is everyone feeling pressure to produce a dubstep album now to remain relevant in the pop arena? Thankfully this album is so scattered that in his quest for "revolutionary pop", he experimented but didn't stray too far away from his trademark R&B formula of songs about lust ("girl, you're the prey and I'm the hunter") and female seduction.
Some tracks like "I Care For You", Diplo produced "Climax" and "Lesson
For My Lover" sound like a continuation of Justin Timberlake's falsetto-filled "Future Sex Love Sounds" (which I loved). Other straight "this is fire, you're burning me up" tracks include the Salaam Remi-produced scorcher, "Sins of My Father" and the misplaced (but works wonderfully anyway) retro classic Pharrell banger, "Twisted". However, some Daisy Carnival pop dub tracks spoil the "Euphoria" I experienced, finding something to really rock to after a self-imposed subconscious Usher drought. Even so, have no doubt that all Usher has to do is "say the words" and accolades for this album, to add to his seven Grammys, will come "his way" once more.
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on 2013-03-17 SerenadasPen Said:
YEA MAN! Usher is back at it again, but this time he has outdone himself pleasurably. For all of you that have been following Mr. Cool stuff since his coming-of-age album My Way hit airwaves, tv waves, and radio waves alike you will be extra excited to hear his new cult hit, Climax. This song is amazing! Just like classical music it fills your head ear+gasmically and you will feel the closest connection to the lyrics.
Despite the initial connotation that we all associate climax with you will realize the song has way more substance than what the name suggests. It is a genius move, in my opinion, since based on this smart word-choice it intrigues anyone who has never heard the song before to listen.
The visual appeal of the video will have you feeling like youre on speed literally and figurativelygoing so fast that everything gets out of control, and then youre coasting because the momentum is gone. The excitements you feel when youre in love and in the heat of the moment then abruptly stopping without warning. Think about when you were a kid and you would spin around in circles really fast. Then when you stopped your head was still spinning, and for some, wanted to throw-up. Its the same idea here. Ushers character is in the heat of the moment, enamored by a young woman whom he believes feels the same way. In the end she ends up tiring of their lovers tryst and moves on to the next unsuspecting fool. Ushers character is in no way a fool but the way she makes him feel in the end is empty, foolish, and wondering wth just happened?!? How many of you have been in the same situation? You loved someone so strongly or blindly to find out they were just having fun at the expense of your heart. Many hands are raised Im sure.
His voice is at its best and the music is mesmerizing. My favorite line that has not left my memory yet is the declarative, Where are you now? When I need you now. Im on my kneeees The longing is so powerful here that you will feel it all through you. How can you deny a good song when it makes you feel something all through your body? Thats what this song will do. It will take you on a fast ride that slows down way too soon.
Not Rated
on 2012-06-25 CharlesMartel Said:
Usher seems to have fallen into something of a rut. Compared with the experimentalism of Jeanelle Monae, he is distinctly conservative in that regard. It is as if he fears to step too far away from the safe zone in case it affects his commerical prospects.
Not Rated
