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. [
My Way was also issued in a "clean" version with all profanity removed.] ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine