Album review: Usher's 'Raymond v Raymond'

The title of Usher's strong new album alludes to his recent divorce from Tameka Foster, whose brief marriage to the Atlanta-based R&B star (born Usher Raymond IV) provided much of the fodder for his domestic-minded 2008 album "Here I Stand."

But "Raymond v Raymond" carries another meaning as well, one seemingly directed toward Usher fans disappointed by the change in direction his wedding inspired: Here's a battle, the title suggests, between the faithful husband of the last few years and the wily lothario of yore.

With tracks like "Lil Freak," "Foolin' Around" and "So Many Girls," the album isn't coy about which Raymond comes out on top.

Over a thumping Eurodance groove in "OMG" he describes an encounter with a woman in a club that's unlikely to last beyond tomorrow morning. The reggae-scented "Pro Lover" offers a cheerful justification for the one-night stand: "I'm better when I'm touch and go."

In "She Don't Know," Usher makes the connection to his earlier work more explicit, ending most of his lines with a spirited interjection that openly echoes his up-tempo 2004 smash "Yeah!"

Near the end of "Raymond v Raymond," the singer temporarily slows the beat for "Papers," a sleekly produced ballad that appears to address the causes of his divorce: "The only time you're here for me," he sings, "is when the bottles popping and everything is sweet."

-- Mikael Wood 

Usher
"Raymond v Raymond"
(LaFace/Jive)
Three stars (Out of four)

Comments

[Mitchell]

I've been an Usher fan since Nice & Slow. I've closely followed his career and he's an artist who's album I actually buy. I'm delighted to see him return to his throne as King of Modern R&B. Get ready to see him a lot this year as he always dominates the charts.

[Paulette Hayes]

Not confessions, but I love it, the cd is still grown and sexy.

[Paulette Hayes]

It is not Confessions, but I love it. This sexy and grown.... caution when my man lights the candles bumpin to this tonight.

[Derek]

Thats two albums in a row that have been less than mediocre. Sad part is i think he is trying way too hard to feel young and hip. The song with Nicki Minaj isn't cutting it for me. I honestly feel he has been listening to the whispers that he has lost the notoriety that he once had, to be honest with you I feel like Trey Songz has taken his throne as the best R&B artist in the game.