—————————————————— Usher : Here I Stand | Music | Houston | Houston Press | The Leading Independent News Source in Houston, Texas

Usher : Here I Stand

You really can't fault entertainers who claim "playa for life" status. At least they're being honest; everyone from Rod Stewart to video performer-turned-tell-all-author Karrine "Superhead" Steffans knows the promiscuous can't be reformed. Once you get a taste of the easy-lovin', high-livin' lifestyle, it's almost impossible to let go. That's what made Usher's last album, Confessions, so interesting. He essentially admitted that he was the cheater and scumbag former lover Steffans and others had accused him of being. But his ­follow-up finds the singer a married father, and he confesses to little more than cybercruising. "I'm chatting, this ain't cheating, just telling myself a lie," he sings on "Appetite." Rest assured, though, he will "bend them a bit, but never break the rules." Suuuuuure. Elsewhere on the CD, Usher leaves the debauchery to will.i.am — whose stale, crass "What's Your Name" will hopefully mark the end of that Black Eyed Pea's era — and Jeezy and Weezy, whose verses on the two versions of "Love in This Club" somehow don't ruin a true monster of a track. The latter is the kind of song that makes you almost forgive Here I Stand's blatant disingenuousness while whetting your appetite for Confessions II.

KEEP THE HOUSTON PRESS FREE... Since we started the Houston Press, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Houston, and we'd like to keep it that way. With local media under siege, it's more important than ever for us to rally support behind funding our local journalism. You can help by participating in our "I Support" program, allowing us to keep offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food and culture with no paywalls.
Ben Westhoff
Contact: Ben Westhoff