I'm 100% for reissuing and re-releasing albums. They're a great way to introduce a time-tested classic to a younger, uninitiated audience, and most record labels often remaster the original recording for a fuller and superior sound. Reissuing an album is acceptable for a 40 year old album, a 30 year old album, a 20 year old album, or even a 10 year old album. But to reissue a CD roughly seven months after its original release date smacks of naked corporate greed. For Arista (the parent company of LaFace Records), it's not enough that Usher's "Confessions" shot to Number One, went multiplatinum, and spawned back-to-back hits. In a transparent attempt to double-dip into the pockets of consumers, they take Usher's album (which, by the way, is a good record on its own merits), repackage it with new photos (for those who savor the sight of Usher's torso), and slap on 4 tracks that include the recent hit "My Boo" (with Alicia Keys). So, the question begs, are these 4 songs strong enough to make a wise consumer buy the same album twice? No. "My Boo" is a pretty decent single, but "Red Light" and "Seduction" have "filler" written all over them. The "remix" of "Confessions" is virtually identical to the original; the main difference is that it features Shyne, Kanye West and Twista on the mike. Why couldn't Arista release these 4 songs as a separate EP? Why add these tracks onto previously released material and add a few "new" glossy color photos? Because Arista wants to milk its cash cow for what its worth, and it will stoop low enough to entice people to buy the same album twice. If you have no version of "Confessions," then I suppose you could get this one. But those who have the March 2004 edition have absolutely no reason to get this poor excuse of a "special edition" CD.

I agree w/ another reviewer. I am an Usher fan especially since he's down w/ my boy Michael Jackson. The problem is I bought the first release of this album and now he re-released it w/ 4 extra songs? Thanks a lot Usher, way to screw your loyal fans! My opinion of him has changed because of this move. I'm not gonna waste more money on your updated Confessions.

I don't have anything against the music, what I do take issue with is an artist releasing a CD then all of a sudden a few months later releasing the same CD with new tracks!!! Why not give the people what they want the first time instead of sticking them up and having them buy the CD twice!!! Both Usher and Arista should feel heavy duty shame by their greedy moneygrabbing ways!!!

Don't get my review title mixed up, I'm not talking about Usher, I'm talking about the trend of re-releasing CD's. So let me get this straight. He released an album, sold 6 million records in a matter of months, and he RERELEASED IT? This is just a stunt to get more money, b/c he's so popular right now that he knows his fans will buy it even if there is only 4 new songs on it (including a Confessions Pt.II remix, that sounds a lot like the original). What a disservice to his fans. He could've released a "My Boo" maxi-single with the unreleased tracks on it or an EP. I have nothing against Usher. He is talented, his songs are good, and I congradulate him for having 4 No.1 hits this year. But I tihnk he is ovverrated. he doesn't even write is own songs, but says that this album is HIS confessions? And why NOW are ppl eating up his albums. Where were all you "real" fans when he released 8701 and My Way?,those sold 4 million, while confessions sold 6. Seems kind of funny. I know why though, ppl are just jumping on the R&B/rap bandwagon as usual, and all the teenagers are just listening to what's popular andnot what they actually like. it really is pathedic, just like this release.

In my garden, near the willow, Kelli the fairy whistled away. With a flute, but not any old flute, it was a diamond flute. Lily the rabbit was scared of the sound, and ran, far far away...... Only to return several hours later, of course. On her entrance, Lily noticed a shockingly beautiful male rabbit called Dandos. So Lily and Dandos had an interesting staring session. All they did was stare for 3 hours, until Dandos was distracted by a moth. Dandos is very scared of moths and so he fled. With only a memory of her new found friend, Lily lay down to sleep on her new feather cushion, which just so happened to be pink. Pink, like love, the love she was feeling for Dandos. Strange, thats what it is!

But Lily did not get a good nights sleep. Kelli had thought of a new song, and decided to play it on her diamond flute. This was no fun for rabbits in the wee hours trying to get some kip. Lily was angrily awoken and wanted to find out precisely what the meddle was going on! So as the story goes, Lily confronted Kelli with a vicious snarl. Of course, being the mischeivous worm, Kelli responded with nothing but a handful of 'manicz' dust. What is this manicz dust? I hear you ask. Well, just take a look at Lily, why shes bouncing around like never before! But Lily does not bounce around with glee, nor with joy or pride, but with the fairy voices singing songs of paranoid riddles....

The next morning, Dandos had become so overwhelmed by the love of Lily, he felt simply ridiculed by the lurking moths, and decided to seek out his rabbit love, Lily, oh Lily! Peculiar, thats what it is! So on his way he went, with nothing but 2 peices of medium sized carrot, one peice of carrot for him to eat on his way, one piece nicely wrapped in a pink ribbon. A present for Lily. Why pink ribbon? Because pink is like love, and love is what Dandos now feels for Lily. Yes they all live happily ever after.


Usher is about as good as what I wrote above.