If God Had Curves

Usher's fourth solo record, If God Had Curves is as simple and un-slick as anything he has ever done; it isn't underproduced, just raw and honest. Usher has an obvious fondness for the simple-structured love song and of bare-bones human stories. The disc's first track "Long Goodbye" is fully indicative of the influences of other inspirations on his own craft. The song includes a gorgeous, warm guitar solo from Canadian songwriting legend Bruce Cockburn, playing over a loop of a sample from punk rock/new wave troupe Le Tigre. The result is old-wood warm and beautiful. Track two starts with a sound clip of respected feminist Gloria Steinem; so begins the disc's first single "Love Will Save The Day" a joyful, lyrically challenging number disguised as a pop song. Bonus points to the singer for the song "Hey Kids", a whimsical, sardonic musical march highlighted by Tegan Quin, of Tegan & Sarah fame. As is the case with other David Usher records, the one thing missing is his preference for writing pretty-sounding prose and societal commentary over really pulling out personal stories from the rawest part of his soul—but there's always hoping. --Denise Sheppard