In the age of tell-all books and gossip tabloids, revealing skeletons in the closet is the best way to get publicity.

-Usher did this with his latest album, “Confessions.” Collaborations with the Neptunes and Lil Jon add hype to the album.

The album sometimes flies in drenched hip-hop and R&B sexiness but falls flat with yawn-worthy and worn-out tracks

The song “Yeah!” is the album’s irresistible, instant-hit single sure to be played well into the summer. It will, as guest rapper Ludicris says, “make your booty go [clap].”

“Confessions II” provides for decent listening with slow and polished melodies but is most intriguing for its remorseful lyrics: “This by far is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do/ Is to tell you the woman I love/ that I’m having a baby by a woman I barely know.” Usher confirmed the incident in the song happened in his past, but he said it had nothing to do with his breakup with Chilli from TLC.

Yet some tracks on the album follow a generic R&B formula that lacks freshness, such as the song “Burn,” with its uncanny resemblance to “U Got It Bad” from Usher’s last album, “8701.”

“That’s What It’s Made For” is a smooth, light song; it’s slow-burning and full of heat with insidious lyrics entailing a steamy encounter.

But the track “Can U Handle It?” reveals Usher ran out of fuel as he struggles to keep the fire burning. Lackluster and chilly thoughts may be on the artist’s mind.

“Confessions” is a telltale album of sexy secrets and so-so songs.