Rating:
Genre:
R&B
Release Date: 09/16/2008
Apart from a little more drama, a notion set with the desperate urgency of opening track
"Closer," not much makes
Year of the Gentleman,
Ne-Yo's third album in as many years, all that different from
In My Own Words or
Because of You. If there are any real shake-ups in the songwriter/singer's m.o., they are subtle, not glaring, typically evident only in the production wrinkles brought by his collaborators. Had each album been separated by a few years of inactivity, this lack of change might be an issue, but since breaking out with
Mario's
"Let Me Love You" in 2004,
Ne-Yo has been nothing if not steady and consistent, a constant presence in the R&B chart who probably could not devise a gimmick if his career depended upon it -- unless you hold those natural and often uncanny
Michael Jackson vocalisms, as present as ever throughout highlight
"Nobody," against him. What makes the album slightly less satisfying than
Ne-Yo's first two albums is that the ballads are slightly sappier and overwrought. The odds are in his favor, however, that no one has written a more gorgeous song about slothful self-loathing. That song,
"Why Does She Stay," forms the front end of a two-track patch of glorious gloom -- the album's center, both literally and figuratively -- complemented by
"Fade into the Background," where he watches the one who got away get married.
~Andy Kellman, All Music Guide
Average Review:
Number of reviews: 6
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A reviewer
from New York
perfection
I feel he can never fail his music is just perfect. The sound is great the songs are catchy and its a little different from what he usualy brings.
A reviewer
from Gainesville, FL
Ne-Yo delivers again!
I got a sneak peak at the album and I have to say that I'm very impressed. I usually never like an album the first time I hear it, but I have to say this one really blows you away. I don't give 5 star ratings but this album is fantastic.
Brendon C
from Massachusetts
R&B Album of the Year?!
Ne-Yo's new album is stellar. He not only reaches new leve with his lyricism, but also pushes the envelope with his creatve ballads. He sings perfectly about girls he fell in love with and girls that lied to him or left. THe album does have a euro-feel to it, which isn't bad. I think this album is a breath of fresh air for Ne-Yo and R&B as a whole. Definitley going to perform well on the charts album-wise and single-wise. My favorite standout tracks are, besides singles "Miss Indpendent" and "Closer", "Mad", "Fade into the Background","Part of the List" and "Lie to Me". Deff. an album to go out and buy. With this album he's giving Chris Brown and Usher a run for their money and stardom. Keep it up Ne-Yo... and come visit Massachusetts!!!
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