It's been awhile since Usher hit us off with album, if you don't include the unreleased but widely available All About U. Was it worth the wait?1. Introlude 8701 - Just a short spoken intro over music.
2. You Remind Me - Heavy radio/video play means that most have already heard this track. One of the best tracks on the album in my opinion.
3. I Don't Know - Puff kicks this track of with a uninspiring verse. This is definitely a club track, which is fitting since Usher sings about a partying at the club. What stands out most about this track is its' vintage Michael Jackson influenced sound. It's not the last time Usher strives to emulate the King of Pop on the album.
4. Work It Out - Usher slows it down to a mid-tempo on this song about sex. A song that's sure to lead to many couples to spend "quality" time together.
5. You Got It Bad - Without a doubt this is the best track on the album, imo of course. We can all relate to the lyrics about being deeply in love or infatuated with someone and nothing else seems to be of importance. Usher's voice truly shines on this one and smoothly flows over the track. This is the "Nice And Slow" of 8701.
6. If You Want To - Jermaine Dupri finally shows up on this one. Could that be Biggie's voice blessing us for a second. Oh what a collabo that would have been. This track is like the precursor to "My Way" as Usher talks of his ability to pull a girl from her man. Another tight track, especially the gothic style background singing.
7. Can't Let U Go - Apparently JD got his voice warmed up on the previous track because he screams his head off on this one. Wouldn't be JD production without it. Usher speaks on the love/hate type of relationship that so many get into to but can't seem to leave. Though I was feeling Ushers flow on this one, the chorus is too reminiscent of Kelis' "Caught Out There." Jermaine hooks up a tight verse on the track.
8. U Don't Have To - Yet another tight track, is there a pattern here? Usher letting us know that it's too much fun too be had out there when your girl aint doing right. Is that Michael Jackson flowing on this track, or just Usher again?
9 Without U - A nice interlude/intro to Help Me
10 Can U Help Me - Usher finally slows it up again. This track almost sounds like it was snatched from the Boyz II Men Evolution album. Another one of the best cuts on the album. This one should hit close to home for anyone who let love walk out the door and would give anything to get it back.
11 How Do I Say - Having traveled all over the world myself and seeing many beautiful woman, I can relate to this one about the language barrier. A Latin influenced track about the universal language of love.
12 Hottest Thing - This one quickly caused me to hit the forward button. Neither the production or lyrics impressed me on this track. Filler material.
13. Good Ol Ghetto - Not really a song about ghetto life per say, unless Usher is talking about ghetto girls. I feel him on that one because ain't nothing like some ghetto.....Yall know what I'm talking about. Usher dust off the rapping skills on this one.
14. U Turn - Another unimpressive track. Maybe I just need to see the dance he's talking about though I can picture it.
15. U R The One - Just an average dance track to round out the album.
I'm highly impressed with this album although Usher seem to stumble a bit towards the end. Hopefully this CD doesn't contain any this nonsense copy-protection which prevents users from exercising their fair use rights. I for one want to be able to play Usher in my MP3 player, and If I can't rip the CD into MP3 then I don't want it. Nice job on the album Usher.
