Usher battles personal demons on ‘Raymond v. Raymond’

Usher

Raymond v. Raymond

LaFace Records

Rocks Like: Robin… Usher

Raymond v. Raymond

LaFace Records

Rocks Like: Robin Thicke

Grade: B+

More than most other entertainers in the music world, Usher seems to be a major proponent of creating his art in a way that will imitate — sometimes even detail — his life. He unabashedly displayed the dark details of his rocky relationship  — specifically the infidelity that plagued it — with TLC’s Chilli on 2004’s mega-hit album Confessions.

Now that he is in the thick of a tumultuous divorce with Tameka Foster, he has once again put his heart on the turntable.

The title Raymond v. Raymond was inspired by the Oscar winning film “Kramer vs. Kramer.” Usher characterizes this particular exercise in catharsis as a “racy” one. I cannot compliment him for taking any major risks in style or content, but he definitely delivered 14 tracks of fun, sexy and melodic music.

The first thing to note about any Usher release is his terrific voice. It is silky like the lingerie that he sings about slipping off women’s bodies. His melodic vocal riffs are the highlights of tracks like “There Goes My Body.” Usher’s talent is only complemented by guest artists Nicki Minaj on “Lil’ Freak” and consistent collaborator Ludacris on “She Don’t Know.”

Raymond v. Raymond might fail in shocking fans with the brutal honesty that has distinguished Usher’s other releases, but it completely succeeds in simultaneously supplying songs for intimate dates and wild parties.