For the first time ever, Pushin' Mounts will begin doing album reviews from select albums. Here is our review on Usher's latest effort, Raymond V Raymond...
After a previously disappointing album release in 2008, Usher tries to reclaim his throne on the 6th studio album titled, Raymond V Raymond. The 15 track LP finds Mr. Raymond being racier than before along with theme of being little self-confessional towards his publicly failed marriage with Tameka Foster.
“There’s three sides to every story…” The confessional begins with a sexy themed intro that breaks the barriers that were up on 2008’s Here I Stand. On Monstar, the head nodding rhythm sets the mood for album with Usher providing vocals that backs up his motive for the crown in R&B, “If you’re looking for a lover, I’ll be here all night…”
An instant favorite is the bass knocking drummed “Daddy’s Home”. The Runners produced hit is currently burning up the Billboard charts and will burn through the speakers as many will find their selves selecting replay. Highlights on this effort include “There Goes My Baby”, a track that every R&B fan will enjoy because of its comforting sounds and calming backdrop; the Will.I.Am assisted “OMG” and Nicki Minaj featured “Lil Freak.” On the latter track, it’s clear that the wedding ring is gone, the seductive track finds the two creating a mentally visual image for their forthcoming sexual endeavors, ““I swooped his girl up and what I'm about do to you he'll feel I did him wrong…”
Although the album was themed around being confessional, there isn’t much here. Unlike 2004’s Confessions, where the theme was surrounded around his failed relationship with Chili from TLC, Mr. Raymond doesn’t really speak much on his supposed trials and tribulations. The only tracks to do so are the buzz single, “Papers” and the T.I. featured “Guilty.”
Another disappointment is found on “She Don’t Know” which features Ludacris. The chorus is somewhat annoying and does little to establish the growth in the R&B crooner.
Overall, March 30th should be marked on many calendars. Raymond V Raymond provides vocals and sounds throughout the LP that many fans have grown to admire over the years. There are more positives than negatives on this album but, it doesn't offer anything new.
3.0 out of 4.0 stars
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