Usher

Item: Confessions
Author: Tyler Baber

Confessions

(2004)

Reviewed by Tyler Baber

Discogs Apple Music TIDAL Spotify YouTube Music

Label LaFace RecordsDecapolisJune 2004

hip hop pop r&b

Q: What does R&B superstar Usher have in common with hit one-hit-wonder making TV show American Idol?

A: Aside from the connection that can be made between Usher and American Idol judge Paula Abdul on their skills as dancers, Usher's newest album Confessions proves that the chart-topping sensation of the radio is quite a bit like the chart-topping sensation of reality television.

First and foremost, it is obvious on Confessions that Usher's vocal ability is near flawless, just like any number of finalists on that guilty pleasure show. He could steal the show in any choir, outdo everyone on karaoke night and probably shows off his talent by singing along to any song on the radio for everyone around. To any ear Usher's voice is as soulful and talented as Simon Cowell could hope for.

Confessions actually plays like an American Idol contestant's portfolio. The album opens with the stellar club track "Yeah," a song so catchy and radio-ready that even producer Lil Jon's comically annoying background vocals couldn't ruin it. This is the type of song that an Idol hopeful would start out on, it's nothing spectacular as far as the voice goes but it's fun, interesting, and can make Randy and Paula do their stupid little dances from their seats. But once the song is over so is the fun. The rest of Confessions' 16 tracks are slow R&B break up songs showcasing Usher's ability to fit neatly into the niche that every R&B performer has fallen into over the past 30 years.

Lyrically, Confessions has been critically acclaimed for its maturity and darkly personal nature. Simply the album is a concept album about Usher's split with TLC's Chilli and several of the songs lead the listener to believe that the breakup was initiated by Usher but caused by his impregnating of some other chick he met at a club. So Usher does what all lovelorn baby's daddies do: He gets Jermaine Dupri to write a bunch of songs about how much he wants his one true love back while simultaneously refusing to ask for forgiveness for being a total creep. This is all done with the most trite poetry imaginable, the stuff that will be written on the notebooks of seventh grade girls for the rest of the year.

The album's production is at best average and at worst detrimental to a song. R&B is not known for its production, it is a genre that has evolved into wanting little more than to showcase the vocal talents of its performers. Usher shows that he has matured into a phenomenally average celebrity. He has all the soul and regret of Ruben Studdard's "I'm Sorry (2004)," all the creepy jerk sensibilities of Clay Aiken's "Invisible," and all the power to make America regret its decision to cast him in the spotlight of the film From Justin to Kelly.

2/4