Ne-Yo has been penning hits for artists for a while now. He has the two most played songs with Mario’s “Let Me Love You” and Beyonce’s “Irreplaceable,” but in 2006, Ne-Yo decided it was time to make himself known with his debut album, In My Own Words, and now, two albums later, he brings us Year of the Gentleman…
Admittedly, I was a not a fan of Ne-Yo as an artist at first. I wasn’t sold on his first single, “Stay,” but I was in love with, “So Sick,” much like the rest of the world. Ne-Yo really didn’t catch my attention until his second album, Because of You. I think it’s the Michael Jackson-ness of his some of his material that attracted me to his sound. Ne-Yo is undeniably a talented writer, but something about him to me just wasn’t the total package. When I got word that Ne-Yo was working on a third album, I can’t say that I was eagerly anticipating, especially after I started to feel like the tracks he was writing for others were all starting to sound the same. But with the release of “♫ CLOSER,” my attention shifted.
After a couple of performances of the song, Ne-Yo had gained my attention, but the single didn’t take off right away like they thought it would, but it seemed as though Def Jam had found a hit in the album’s second single, the crowd-pleaser “♫ MISS INDEPENDENT.” A flurry of material had leaked before the tracklisting was even solidified, some hits and some misses – it was a little hard to get a definite on the direction of the album.
All in all, Year of the Gentleman boasts some pretty good tracks and his a pretty cohesive effort. Ne-Yo is a writer first, so of course he isn’t going to give himself anything less that stellar as far as wordsmanship and content. The album is full of mid-tempos, which I’ve learned is pretty much home for Ne-Yo, it’s definitely his comfort zone. The album also has some nice ballads. Although it’s not one of those LP’s that I can listen to from start to finish, front to back, I am always impressed with Ne-Yo’s ability to craft a great R&B song.
Stand-out tracks include, of course, “Closer,” “Single,” “Fade Into the Background,” and the Polow Da Don-assisted “Single.”
Make sure you pick up Ne-Yo’s new album, Year of the Gentleman, in stores and online today!
im interested in seeing how this album sells.
loveeeeeeeeeeee Ne-Yo.
I’m not a CD buyer, but I’ll actually buy this CD.
Brian I can’t believe you won’t feeling Ne-Yo!?? Dats my dude! I can’t wait to get that new ablum to, the last one was okay but I love his new tracks so far.
Closer is the bomb it grew on me I will be buying the cd this weekend.
Please make sure you have your voting situation in order.
love the new cd.his talent is so refreshing.fade into the background is da bomb
#2, I think it’s just because at first, I didn’t see the full package with ne-yo.
before, I didn’t see him as a performer, but he has definitely proved me wrong!
I love Neyo, believe its hard to get pass what I think is him trying to hard all the time to be sexy, but I LOVE his music. I dance to Closer like everyday, he is a great artist who will continue to grow in talent not in ego.
Love Ne-Yo ! A big Fan! Will always support him ! He is definitely a Gentleman ! ! !
I like Neyo’s music always have. He is keeping true R&B alive. I need to go get that CD or download it off ITunes.
I hope regarding my last sentence.
BIG BIG fan of Ne-Yo. Someone you can tell works very hard and puts his mind into his craft. I look forward to hearing this album!
From the sounds of it… its sounds like a really nice album… I wish him all the success
I love his newest album. It took a minute for Ne-Yo to grow on me as well, but I have become a fan. HIs songs seem to always tell a story….
I listened to it yesterday and I think you’re far too nice with your review =/
I seriously wasn’t impressed. Good writer, yes but he fails elsewhere imo.
I LOVE Neyo!!! He’s know for making hits. I’m with CHELLY – he does keeps R&B alive. I will be coping the album.
Isnt “sinqle” one of New Kids on the block’s sonqs on their album? I think they performed on tha today show too.
I will be purchasing his cd… I love his music. His vocals have a unique sound and his writing is like storytelling.
His writing goes back to a slew of other hits and sounds for other artists/singers so I’m glad he decided to come to the forefront and actually has real talent….
Listening to the CD as I’m typing….
The CD is a solid Ne-Yo effort…so as a fan..I’m bias and I like the sound of it! Especially the songs “Why Does She Stay” and “Lie to Me”
Brian don’t you mean second album: Because Of You.
Anywho. LOVE Ne-Yo’s music & have from the jump.
In My Own Words had some many GREAT tracks: “Stay, So Sick,Mirror,Sign Me Up,I AINT GOTTA TELL YOU,GET DOWN LIKE THAT,Sexy Love,LET GO, and Time”
Because of You had: “the title track, Can We Chill, Do You, MAKE IT WORK, say it, GO ON GIRL”
I’ll most def be bumping this new album. He brings a freshness to R&B
I’M LISTENING TO IT ON RHAPSODY RIGHT NOW…SO FAR PRETTY GOOD!
NE-YO DOES HAVE A 80′S MICHAEL JACKSON FEEL TO HIS MUSIC PRODUCTIONS
HE’S DEFINITELY UNTOUCHABLE WRITER AND HE’S SLOWLY GOING INTO A GOOD ARTIST…HIS BET PERFORMANCE WAS ONE OF THE BEST!!!
Fade into the Background sounds like a Prince song. I swear Nobody sounds just like Michael Jackson’s song This Time Around from the HIStory cd. You can definitely tell his major influences are both MJ and Prince. But it’s definitely in a good way. I think he does them justice.
single is off the chain, and i just found out that it’s the New kids on the block new single, check out the video it pretty nice…..
i can listen 2 his first cd from front 2 back
Neyo’s songs are just okay, imo. He’s never had a single that I just absolutely loved, that would inspire me to spend $15 on his CD. Wish him the best of luck on the new LP
SO FAR…”FADE INTO THE BACKGROUND” WILL BE ON REPEAT IN MY CAR!!
This album is leaps and bounds better than his last LP. The singles on his last album were decent, but the rest of the songs weren’t that great.
he has a song tom’bout being mad for no reason…..i absolutely adore…..this guy i work with gets cds b4 they’re released and when i heard that song (dont know title), it has stayed on repeat……
@19
I love Say It too Neyo is the bomb
I am a huge Ne-Yo fan and I can’t wait to leave work tonight so I can go out and buy this CD. I think this young man is so gifted!! I wish him much success w/ this album.
*#24 The first week of release most cd’s are 9.99 or 7.99 depending on the artist…..
just got my pre release from itunes a few min ago, I think this album will be great
time to dust off the ol’ boombox
I love the song single…And I love Ne-Yo anyway
Ive been listening to this for at least 2 weeks now, and I can’t say that i’m in love with it. The slow tempos and uninteresting concepts dont pull me in as his first album did, and the way his second album half did. I actually enjoyed Lloyd’s album alot better if I were to compare the 2
- http://www.mrswagger.com
Love Ne-Yo and im feeling this CD
Yeah, the Single track is just the reference track. He is featured on the New Kids on The Block one tho.
I don’t know how this man managed to make a career of singing simple illiterate lyrics through his nose over toy keyboard beats.
I guess that was a bit harsh – I take it back. I don’t think his music is involved enough to warrant all the success. Closer is actually a good song but it’s the only thing I’ve heard from him that I liked… I think all his other singles were overrated…especially “Take a Bow” and “Irreplaceable”… I think “Unfaithful” is the only thing he’s done that was even remotely inspired and I suspect it was Rihanna’s awkward delivery that sealed the deal on that. Basically, I think people are assuming he’s a minimalist when he’s really just average…
@ 37
LMAO!!!!
But hey if that’s how you feel then…shame the devil & tell the truth!
Yo that song called Single is New Kids on The BloCK song…..i see yall looking at me crazy but they got a video for it with Neyo …the song is tight ….i dont like Neyo too much tho……his voice is too soft to me, genuis writer producer composer though
Mirror is that ish !
Be a man Ne-Yo…take off the hat! LOL.
On the real, he does make good music.
I’ll probably get his and Robin Thicke’s CD.
“Fade Into The Background” is the shyt. It’s like a continuation of “Do You” from the last album. Overall this album is not as good as the first two (the first one is a classic) but if you’re a Ne-Yo fan, you’ll enjoy this album. Now, Go Buy It!!!
brain your insane ne-yo’s album is the best r&b album this year. stand out tracks include lie to me, so you can cry and part of the list.
LOVE CONCRETELOOP…
LOVE NEYO!
i also love single but i kinda like it more with the new kids on the block feature.
Didn’t New Kids on the Block record single with NeYo? I prefer that version, cant say i’m a big NeYo fan.
Love Ne-yo…but I still can comment objectively. His vocals are not the strongest-but they work for him! He’s doing his thang and doing it well.
congratulations to him. i got it for free just because he is relevant to the music movement.
other than that ne-yo gets away with being gay and a succesful writer and performer so i have to admire his gameplan.
NO@#41 u see his shape head?? NO He needs to leave his hat ON!
He’s songs is good but they’re not something I would call my favorite but my favorite NeYo song is “Let It Go” that’s that joint. I don’t buy cd’s anymore so I won’t be buying his cd…
Can you say classic?????? Wow!!! What an amazing album!! Hands down,my favorite record on this album besides Miss Independent,is So You Can Cry!! I love that song,can’t stop listening to it! This has to be a single!!! Big international record,i can
hear this all over radio!!
My other favorite songs are:
Lie To Me
Why Does She Stay
Fade to the Background
Everyone please go get this classic!!!!!
I love this album!!OMG!!! This is one of the best albums of the year!This is a must
buy…
Top three songs on the album
So You Can Cry
Lie to Me
Miss Independent
But be honest,u cant go wrong with any other records…from beginning to end!!
I just bought the album and I have to say I am very impressed.. I luv it!! But then again, I am a huge NeYo fan….
I just listened to a few snippets, now I’m not sure I want to buy it..lol.. well it’s only 9.99 so I guess it will be alright….I loved both cd’s so I’ll add this to the collection just cuz even though I can tell it’s not going to be a favorite….. #38 Neyo has also written for Mary J, Music, Heather Headley, B2K, Mario and Faith etc…. so the list goes on…He has been sought after for his writing and arranging for quite sometime…. just an FYI
All I have to say is Wow!!!! We might have a new king of r&b!! All hail King Ne-yo!!!!
Seriously this album is amazing!!! We needed this album in music…breathe of fresh
air…From Closer to Miss Independent to So You Can Cry….Flawless!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is the best r&b album in awhile!!! Love Lie to Me,Why Does She Stay,Stop This World!!!
Every song has single potential…But my favorite of them is So You Can Cry!!!
Ne-yo kills this record!!! Standing Ovation(clap)!!!!
These reviews make me wanna go out and get this right after work!
thanks brian. it was concise and to the point.
Ne-Yo always comes with it. He can do no wrong with me…
Ne-yo is a solid dude, I love the michael jackson like backround vocals and he’s got good lyrics the song he did on ushers album his mistake is a classic ..
i think the album is ok. I like the songs that are linked on this website but…I was kind of bored. I think I liked his last one better.
Closer sounds just like the shyt RiRi and CB have been putting out, just lyrically enhanced since he’s a songwriter…but…I really loved Because of You so i’ll be coppin this CD also