My Way Usher Artist

{|Usher|} proved that he had a strong, soulful voice with his self-titled debut, but he fulfilled his potential on his second record, {|My Way|}. What makes {|Usher|} distinctive from his {|urban|} loverman peers is the fact that he doesn't oversing;... Read more

{|Usher|} proved that he had a strong, soulful voice with his self-titled debut, but he fulfilled his potential on his second record, {|My Way|}. What makes {|Usher|} distinctive from his {|urban|} loverman peers is the fact that he doesn't oversing; he simply delivers his songs soulfully. Unfortunately, he falls prey to uneven material, just like any of his peers, but there are more strong songs on {|My Way|} than many {|contemporary R&B|} albums from the late '80s. Both {|Jermaine Dupri|} and {|Babyface|} contribute seamless productions and fine songs; respectively, {|You Make Me Wanna...|} and {|Bedtime|} are their best {|ballad|} contributions. Even if the {|ballads|} are usually seductive and romantic, cuts like the funky {|Just Like Me,|} which features a cameo from {|Lil' Kim|}, might make you wish {|Usher|} didn't play it cool all of the time. And while it's refreshing to hear a {|hip-hop|}/{|urban|} {|R&B|} album clock in at a reasonable running time, it would have been nice if the tenth track was something other than a remix of {|You Make Me Wanna...|} Nevertheless, it's a strong second effort that showcases {|Usher|} at his best. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine Less