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!
I went out & bought this album early this morning & I have to say this album is simply amazing….No skips!!! I am very impressed wit this album.Just when u think he can’t get any better it does…he does!!!! Can’t stop playin this album already!!!
I love Miss Independent….But i have to say that the songs that stick in my head is
So You Can Cry & Fade to the Background….I like Why Does She Stay alot,too!
Ne-yo shows growth on this album…I love it!!!
I Adore Ne-Yo, But his lyircs sometimes are very sexual for what reason..not like I don’t like them but I can’t listen to his music when I want too all the time because of my nieces and nephews..it’s annoying as hell.
He’s a GRRRRRRRREATT writer though, I def will be copping this Cd. He’s one of the few artist out today that MAKES SENSE and using his musical talent in a good way, sometimes atleast.
i love Ne-Yo,been a fan of his since the first album,he has so much talent.its weird but i can see him receiving those lifetime achievement awards years from now…i really see him as the Michael Jackson of our generation…
as for the new album,not what i was anticipating but because i loved both of his previous albums,im still going to support him and i do plan on buying this album.one of the only albums i’ll be buying this year…
my favorite songs:Miss Independent,Fade Into The Background,Stop This World, Single,and Lie To Me…….i can see Fade Into The Background as a single….even though it has that Prince feel(When Doves Cry)
@34,we’re the opposite because i HATED lloyd’s last album.lol…i mean i really only like about 2 or 3 songs and i cant even remember those because i really HATE his new stuff..prefer his first two albums…
I think ill listen to it online first then see if its worth buying..I really liked lloyds cd too.
This CD sucks. I downloaded it and promptly deleted it so it wouldn’t take up any more space on my hard drive. “Miss Independent” and “Fade Into the Background”are the only good songs on the CD. The New Kids On the Block version on “Single” sounds a lot better than his version. Ne-Yo should just stick to writing songs for more talented singers.
So Far “So You Can Cry” is on repeat in the car……..Can’t stop listening to it
I love this album. Ne-yo is one of my favorite artist! Year of the Gentleman is a classic. Favorite records so far are; So You Can Cry,Fade to the Background,Miss Independent(of course,lol!) & Lie To Me..
I juz got da cd, and though is not as perfect as i thought it would be… its really good.
I’ve been a fan of Ne-Yo’s since Sexy Love (datz my song rite there). First cd i got was Because of you. after hearing that i bought In My Own Words. I think Year of the Gentleman is his best Yet. “Closer” is one of the sickest song of the year. luv’d it from the first time i heard it. And everyone loves “Miss Indepedent”. All songs on the album are not as catchy as these two, but Ne-Yo’s song-writting skills shine. Songs like “Fade into The Back”, “Why Does She Stay” tell stories so real, with feelin’. Ne-Yo is one of the best song-writers of our time, he’s like this Generations BABYFACE.
My Favorites are “BAck to What You Know”, the sick ballads”PArt of The List” and “Stop this World”… and “Single” which prob will b a single, has hit written all over it.
… only bad thing, i wish that Ne-Yo would’ve included WHAT’S THE MATTER. best song of this project. would’ve been a great album closer.
Love it.
ne-yo is dat dude….we FINALLY have a mainstream guy that celebrates women : )
good lookin’ boo..
I’m loving the song In The Background
Single is a cool track too
love neyo but those three songs that i heard. im not feeling it.. soon as i heard polo da don i turned it off. sorry neyo. try again!!!
Now i have to say Neyo album was ok,,,,,i mean i was so in luv with the first album that i keep hoping to get the same results, but every time he fail now dont get me wrong the album is good but it not a easy run threw.. key songs are of course him singles plus “lie to me” _ “Mad” _ and “Single”. I just was hoping for somthing better..
Maybe songz like Mirrors, Say it, and the best “Time”
I ABSOULUTELY ADORE THIS ALBUM, AS I ADORE HIS OTHER PROJECTS AS WELL. NE-YO IS SUPER TALENTED AND NEVER DISAPPOINTS ME. THIS IS ANOTHER CLASSIC EFFORT FROM HIM. KUDOS TO NE-YO FOR YET ANOTHER GREAT ALBUM. CAN’T EVEN NAME FAVORITES CAUSE I LOVE THE WHOLE THING.
Neyo is definitely talented
i love!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! the new album
i think that people dont know how to receive neyo sometimes
b/c his so different and continues to be himself whether you like it or not
he says what’s on his mind and he keeps it real
sometimes i do think he talks to much
but he tries to hard to prove himself to people
sometimes you got to continue to be you and do you
and the rest will follow
He is my #1 favorite singer/song writer right now
I LOVE NEYO CAUSE HE ALWAYS KEEPS IT REAL
HE HAS A SMOOTH CROONER SOUND TO HIS MUSIC AND HIS VOICE
HE MAKES GROWN FOLK ENTERTAINMENT KEEPS YOU DANCING MAKES YOU FEEL THE WAY THAT HE DOES IN A SONG FEELING
I LOVE THIS ALBUM
THIS ALBUM MADE ME BUY HIS FIRST TO ALBUMS
HE REMAINS YOU UNIQUE AND DIFFERENT
HE REMAINS OPEN MINDED AND TRIES DIVERSITY
I LOVE THAT ABOUT HIM
HIS NOT TRYING TO MAKE HOT AT THE MOMENT MUSIC
HE REMINDS ME OF MARVIN GAYE
I LOVE NE-YO….LIPS too! Heeheehee
Brian, I don’t think you like ANY songwriters-turned-singers (ie. Neyo, Sean Garnett, theDream) and I don’t really get what your verdict is… So you didn’t like the album, other than a couple songs and ‘Single’ which u mentioned twice? Well I just bought the album today because I’ve seen Ne-yo perform live twice and I think he’s an AMAZING performer – he always puts on a good show, so I’ll support!
OMG BRIAN I FINALLY AGREE WITH YOU I LOVE NEYO HE IS MY BIG BROTHER BUT…I’M REALLY NOT FEELING THIS C.D ONLY LIKE 2 UP TEM. SONGS…GEESH…BUT MAYBE THIS C.D WILL GROW ON ME
I really don’t agree with what you said. I personally think Ne-Yo is an excellent writer and singer. i dont think has made a bad song yet. i love all three of his albums b/c they were alllll great.
Single is New Kids on the Block’s “single” featuring NeYo. I guess this version is obviously with just him on it.
I never really was big on Neyo as an artist but I do give his writing skills credibility. He had a really nice last album but this new album disappointed me. There are only a few songs that I actually like. The best song and stand out track on the album to me is “Single” produced by Polow Da Don. The other songs that I like are “Nobody”, “Why Does She Stay”, “Lie to Me’ and of course “Miss Independent”. I think maybe he needs to explore with different producers rather than his comfort zone with Compound and Stargate.
Neyo is the man the artist my boy and hes fresh to death fo sho
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