1. Intro-lude 8701 - I really can't say much about this one, since it's just an intro. Usher does keep it short and to the point with it, though.

2. U Remind Me - Great song. Usher stretches in this song how he sees a girl he would love to get with, but his haunted memories of a girl who was his worst nightmare come back to haunt him when he sees her for the fact that she looks exactly like his nightmare girlfriend.

3. I Don't Know featuring P. Diddy - Really hot club song. In this one, Usher tells about a group of girls going to the club, but he has no idea what they came to do, he just knows that he came to party...

5. U Got It Bad - I cannot stress how good this one is. I am so glad he released it instead of "I Don't Know" for his second track. In this one, Usher tells about how bad life without a girlfreind is, that's the meaning of having it bad.

6. If I Want To - Keeps moving with the good tracks. In "If I Want To", Usher tells about how he can get any girl, at any time, any place. If this were so, then why does he have it bad?

7. I Can't Let U Go - Seems theres no stop to the good songs. With this one, Usher is losing his mind over breaking up with a girl, features some lyrics from Jermaine Dupri.

8. U Don't Have To Call - Continuing hot track. If you haven't seen the video for this one, then you probably wouldn't know that this one is basically about after a heartbreaking split up between you and your girl, you can actually get up and go out to restart the whole process of relationships.

9. Without U ( Interlude ) - Kind of too slow. Not much to say because it's just a short interlude.

10. Can U Help Me - Great how Usher can pull out such a slow song and make it so good. Basically, Usher is confused because he bought a girl all she wants and she's still not happy.

11. How Do I Say - Usher starts to lose his steam on this one. Usher is now trying to figure out how he says he likes a super hot girl.

12. Hottest Thing - Losing steam still. Usher is definitely having a problem at putting the hot ones at the beginning in a row and the bad ones at the end.

13. Good Ol' Ghetto - Starts to renew his supply of hot songs. Usher brings us back to the good ol' days in this one.

14. U-Turn - Totally renews his good song supply. Usher teaches us a little dance in this one.

15. U R The One - Somehow he gives us a good beginning, great middle, and fantastic ending.

That's my introspective on "8701", and I hope now that i've told you about it, you'll go out, buy it, and make it number one on the billboard album charts once again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Usher Continues To Keep It Real On 8701   March 7, 2002
John Fowler (Columbia, SC USA)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

Usher has been in the game long enough to know that you can't just put together a record with all slow or all fast songs. During the recording of '8701,' Usher did more than adding variety. He added his own style to every track and makes original hits. This album has yet to disappoint me. The cd starts out with a mellow intro and goes into 'U Remind Me' and 'I Don't Know;' two uptempo songs with one featuring P. Diddy. Then it goes into some of my favorite songs on the album. 'Twork It Out,' 'U Got It Bad,' and 'If I Want To.' The production on the album is great and the instruments used add details to the background music that makes solid tracks back-to-back. The best slow jam on the album, in my opinion, would have to be 'Can U Help Me.' It starts off with easy vocals and a piano and the song goes from there; and also shows how well Usher can hit those high notes. If there are any doubts about checking this album out, I would completely forget them. If you are an Usher fan or of good R&B in general, this is definetly a good, solid R&B record to add to your collection.


Usher, You GOT IT Great!   December 31, 2001
Chauncey (N.J)
10 out of 12 found this review helpful

Okay, I'm going to admit, I was an USHer listener before this, but wasn't really into him. I thought he had too much ego when he first came out and later on with MY WAy, but I have been reformed. With talent like his and a cd like this, he has reason to think he's got it going on- b/c he does! This cd shows growth on so many levels concerning male r&b artist. Many times they lack in departments b/c their either too mushy, to thuggish, or to playa-like. Usher gives a balance of that with this album. Each song is deep and powerful with meaning and heart. Check it:
1.8701: Very decent opening, I passed it though
2.U Remind Me: You've heard, be the judge, but if you think it's the best dance track you are mistaken.
3. I Don't Know: Very hot and talks about how a guy wants a girl and doesn't want to play any games.
4.Twork it OUT: I LOVE THIS SONG!! It's so sensual and midtempo, not raunchy like many r&b love making songs, but sweet and innocent.
5.U GOT It Bad: Great song and wonderful message.
*** track: I don't know if you have one on yours but it talks about haters and such, very hot track.
6.If I want to: Very hot track which says how he could have this girl if he really wanted her. It's funny, b/c many guys try that approach.
7.I Can't let you Go: Usher sounds sexy on this song. Jermain D will have you bugging out.
8.U Don't Have to Call: Decent, but off beat from my veiw.
9 .Without U: This interlude is so precious!
10.Can U Help Me: The best ballad of the album. It's really pretty.
11.How Do I say: Spanish feel to it. It's aight
12.Hottest thing: Club song
13.Good Ol' Ghetto: Very hot song with r&b feel to it.
14.U-Turn: I don't like it
*** track: Another hot bonus track
15. U R The One: It's decent
*** Separated: Very Beautiful song with great words. I love it!
The reason I gave it a four instead of 5 was b/c I would of loved more ballads like Separated and Can U Help Me.
You'll love this cd!


Kinda middle of the road for Usher's new cd   October 15, 2001
Haygn (Denver, CO)
7 out of 8 found this review helpful

First, let me say that I am an Usher fan. Though I was not eagerly awaiting his new release, I did make a point to go to the record store the day of it's release and buy it. Although I was not necessarily disappointed, neither was I very impressed. The cd opens with the refreshing "U Remind Me"..the number one hit that radio seems to have tried to play out, but still remains at the top of everyone's individual playlists. The following track "I Don't Know" featuring P Diddy, seems contrived. It sounds too much like what EVERY R&B male is trying to do these days..we need less of these types of songs. Yet a standout track is the Neptunes produced "U Don't Have to Call" on which the artist really shines. The album does have its peaks. But conversely it does have it's valleys. Usher tries to show off his sensuality and proclaim that he is a sex symbol by at times being way too overtly sexual..almost perverse. Perhaps he should take a lesson from the ladies, Alicia Keys, Aaliyah and others an let the sexiness come from the image, rather than becoming lewd.