Confessions: Special Edition - Usher (CD 2004)

Usher. This 26-year-old has been everywhere this year. He had four number one songs in just nine months. That's something that has not been done in over ten years. Usher originally released Confessions back in March 2004, but decided to re-release it in October of the same year with a few more tracks added. I'm here to be the first to review the special edition of the album. I'll rate the songs on a scale of 1 to 5 stars with 5 being the best.

1. Intro
This is a quick interlude with nice production. Usher ad-libs throughout most of the song. Even though, I'm not a big fan of interludes, this is definitely a good one.
RATING: 4 stars

2. Yeah! feat. Ludacris & Lil' John
You have got to be living under a rock if you have yet to hear this song. It spent a whopping 12 weeks at number one this year and is likely to be crowned as the biggest song of the year by Billboard. The song has a very "Crunk & B" vibe to it. Usher has pretty good vocals to match the production. Ludacris drops an enjoyable rhyme, while Lil' John resorts to ad-libbing annoyingly throughout most of the song. A great song that always gets the dance floor flooded with people.
RATING: 5 stars

3. Throwback feat. Jadakiss
The original version had no Jadakiss and was much shorter. Jada does manage to deliver a good verse that suits the song well; however, I could have done without him. Still, this is a great song with emotional lyrics

It's driving me crazy
Cause I've been missing my baby
I'm going out my mind and I'm running time
Oh I just wish I could fine you girl

RATING: 5 stars

4. Confessions
This actually was just an interlude, but was made into an actual song for the album. The beat is the same as it was on the interlude. Personally, I could have been without this song. It's still a pretty good cut.
RATING: 4 stars

5. Confessions Part 2
This was the third single off the album that topped the charts for two weeks. It had a great R&B feel to it. I think that it has honest lyrics that are really amazing to listen to. Clearly, some of Usher's best songwriting.
RATING: 5 stars

6. Burn
The second single off the album that was number one for seven or eight weeks. The lyrics are real good with Usher singing that he knows he needs to split with his girlfriend even though he knows that it is going to be painful. The production is kind of bland, which is the only reason why it doesn't get 5 stars.
RATING: 4.5 stars

7. Caught Up
This is a great song and one of the few dance songs on the album. It details how Usher is getting caught up with a girl that has him acting weird. Great song.
RATING: 5 stars

8. Superstar (Interlude)
This is just nothing but an interlude that sets things up for our next song.
RATING: 1 star

9. Superstar
I personally think that this song is real boring. It has very quiet vocals, which is why it sounds so dull. Usher actually adds a blues beat to the song. I personally commend him on trying something original, but the song is still too boring to attract my interest.
RATING: 2 stars

10. Truth Hurts
This is another slow jam that is pretty boring. The song deal with how sometimes the truth can be hard for certain people to deal with. The song has a very laid-back beat that can get boring really quickly. Still, it's a pretty good song.
RATING: 3.5 stars

11. Simple Things
Usher talks about how sometimes we forget that the simple things in our lives are what we tend to miss the most. I like the beat, and it has pretty good lyrics to go along with it. Not a classic, but still enjoyable.
RATING: 4 stars

12. Bad Girl
Every guy wants a bad girl, which is what Usher details in this song. The beat is very upbeat and very danceable. The song's message is pretty unoriginal, yet it's still a good song.
RATING: 4 stars

13. That's What It's Made For
I think Usher let himself get too personal for my tastes in this song. He basically gives a compliment to his penis. I personally think the song is pretty boring and comes off embarrassing instead of sexy.
RATING: 2.5 stars

14. Can U Handle It?
This song is SOOOO BORING. There is no actual beat and is just dull throughout most it. On the original CD, it almost goes for six minutes. Luckily, it has been shortened on this disc.
RATING: 1 star

15. Do It to Me
This sounds like a lost Prince song or something. To me, it just too much of a weird beat to enjoy. I personally think that Usher's vocals here are very off-key. Skip.
RATING: 2 stars

16. Take Your Hand
This is more upbeat than most of the other songs on the album. It is a real short song and doesn't even last three minutes. It still is pretty enjoyable. It has a catchy chorus

What should I do?
Do I take your hand or let go

RATING: 4 stars

17. Follow Me
A pretty good track with a lot of good lyrics. I think that is sounds generic and very bland at times, but it is still pretty good.
RATING: 3.5 stars

18. My Boo Duet with Alicia Keys
This is a great song on the album. Alicia Keys has a voice that meshes well with Usher's. The song is talking about your very first boyfriend/girlfriend. I personally think that this is something that everyone can get intimate with their loved one.
RATING: 5 stars

19. Red Light
This is produced by crunk mater Lil' John. It has a very hypnotic and good beat. It doesn't sound like something Lil' John could produce, which is why it sounds so good. Real good song.
RATING: 5 stars

20. Seduction
R&B producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis produced this song. I think that it lacks something to make it stand out. I don't know what it is, but it sounds dull and not that romantic.
RATING: 3 stars

21. Confessions (Remix) feat. Kanye West, Twista & JD
This is the remix to the original song that has some changed lyrics that are quite interesting. Usher says that his girlfriend made him look like the bad guy which he hates. That's something that his old flame Chilli did by calling up a radio talk-show and saying that Usher cheated on her.

Final Thoughts
I think that this still falls short of being good as My Way. Still, Confessions: Special Edition still manages to be a good album despite losing some steam midway through the album.