A truly special edition (Confessions (Special Edition) - Usher)

Member Name: Lakerfanster

Product:	Confessions (Special Edition) - Usher
Date:	25/06/09 (63 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great

Disadvantages: None

*Introduction*

With the release last year of Usher's new album Here I Stand I decided to review the previous album in his discography. Confessions was his fourth studio album and his most heralded to date. The album was originally released in March 2004 and has already sold over 9 million copies worldwide with some of the best selliing singles of the decade so far.

On Confessions Usher worked with a number of well known producers including the likes of Jermaine Dupri and the classic duo Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis who along with Babyface dominated the early 90's R&B scene. Just blaze also appears on the album as the up and coming producer. This review is of the special edition of the album which was released a few months later featuring bonus tracks.

1.) Intro

This is a nice way to get the album started and the short interlude tells the story of the whole album. This is only 47 seconds so it needs to open the album in a direct and straightforward way and it does that well.

2.) Yeah

This was one of the freshest sounding club tracks of the past ten years. A rough and ready mix of Lil Jon Crunk and Usher spark. This was a huge hit and the pounding bassline is the centrepiece for this track with siren like noises blaring out. This is an unbelievably good track to dance to in the club and one that will be a club hit for years to come.

3. Throwback

This track features the production talents of Just Blaze and is a mid tempo ballad with some synth style backing hooks and a flowing drum beat. This is a track about remembering what you have done to harm your relationship and wanting to throwback in time and change things for the better.

4.) Confessions (Interlude)

This is a short interlude that leads into Confessions. This interlude charts from Usher finding out his partner knows about what he has done wrong.

5.) Confessions

The interlude leads brilliantly into this track and the track has a great flow and is one of his most highly personal tracks. It is a sorry to his partner for cheating on her. A great track that shows real regret and sorrow. A great ballad.

6.) Burn

This was a huge single and is another great ballad. The track talks about a doomed relatioship where you feel that it will no longer work an having to let go however hard it may be. An awesome and very emotive track. This is one of my favourite Usher tracks so far.

7.) Caught Up

This uptempo track has a great catchy feel and is another great track that makes you want to dance the way "Yeah" does. A very good track with a very catchy feel indeed. I love the catchiness of the backing music on the track.

8.) Superstar (Interlude)

This is another interlude and has a very laid back feel. Usher is accompainied by gentle backing vocals and th interlude moves along very well.

9.) Superstar

This has an old school opening with funky guitar and then Usher comes in with a beautiful falsetto. This track is about his relationship with Rozanda Thomas from TLC who he was dating at the time. A great track with a very seductive feel.

10.) Truth Hurts

This track has a shuffling beat and has a slow feel to it despite the strong drum beat. This is a lovely track that features Usher in fine vocal form. He shows off the rang in his locker as he moves through the song with no problem at all.

11.) Simple things

This has a ballad feel but also has a firm beat. The combination works really well and Usher's laidback voice is a big compliment to the overall appeal of the song. He moves through the song with an emotive voice that sounds very good indeed.

12.) Bad Girl

This has a guitar intro and then a drum beat thumps it's way into the fore and then Usher's voice joins the party. His falsetto sounds amazing and this is one of the best uptempo tracks he has done. Pure magic.

13.) That's what it's made for

This is another track that features Usher in fine falsetto for, This is truly a very seductive track that is a great crowd favourite. I has a great feel and is catchy and romantic with Usher again sounding brilliant.

14.) Can U Handle it

This has an aura that draws you in, slow seductive dark tones draw you in and Usher's voice keeps you captivated to the track. A brilliant track with seductive tones and a dark romantic feel. I love the feel of this track and it shows off Usher's great voice so well.

15.) Do It to me

This is an unbelieavable track, A Thumping beat is surrounded by delicate piano tones and Usher's sweet falsetto. He really sounds on top form and this track is amazing. It is so soulful and seductive that you will be so relaxed listening to it.

16.) Take your hand

This has another uptempo feel and features Usher's voice soaring like a 70's soul legend. The thump of the beat is a nice contrast to Usher's soulful screams. A great track that is so well worked.

17.) Follow Me

This has a flowing firm beat to open the track and then develops with Usher's voice and some nice background sounds. A nice track but not as great a the best on Confessions but still very good indeed.

*Bonus Tracks*

18.) My Boo ft Alicia Keys

Ths is a fantastic duet with Alicia Keys, the track opens with a background of strings and then pounding drums come in. The track then develops with backing singing. I love this track. Two of the best singers around duet on a brilliat track.

19.) Red Light

This opens with a drum beat and then develops with other beat and atmospheric background sounds. This has such a seductive feel and Usher sounds awesome on this track especially when he pulls out his gorgeous falsetto.

20.) Seduction

This is very seductive as you would expect. sensual guitar and a laidback beat this track has a special feel and is one of the best slower tracks on the album. Well worthy of beng included as a bonus track.

21.) Confessions II ft Kanye West, Shyne and Twista

This is a collaboration with Kanye West, Shyne and Twista, it adds enough different to the original to be worthy of recording and adds a different slant on the track. A good end to the album.

*Overall*

This is a fabulous album with so many great songs the special edition is well worthy with the four bonus tracks is well worth getting above the standard version as you get some more cracking tracks and it has a very emotive and personal feel to it. Usher's new album Here I Stand is a great album and Confessions is just as great. One of the best albums he will ever record.

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