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I’ve never been a Ne-Yo fan. In fact, never even listened to his albums. I just found him generally boring. When the opportunity came to listen to this 2008 album and review it, I was happy to try it out since I’d been a hater for so long. I’ve heard a lot of good things about this album. Of course, there is the obvious Michael Jackson comparison. But, honestly, which R&B/Pop male singer is not influenced by Mr. MJ? They all sound or dance like MJ or I should say try to. It’s inevitable.

Ne-Yo says he was heavily influenced by the Rat Pack, Frank Sinatra & Sammy Davis. Hence the title of the album, “Year of the Gentleman”, the suits and hats. Honestly, I welcome this with open arms. I am so tired of the club-dancing-booty-shaking-drop-it-low R&B. It’s nice to see an R&B album that presents vulnerability, sensitivity and sincerity.

The album starts with a dance track, Closer, definitely more Dance/Pop than R&B. It tells you that the album will be dancy/ballady R&B. Nobody, a more classic 90s R&B track, very very MJ feeling. Single, my favourite track of the album, a more contemporary urban track, with it’s slightly typical talking-over-track and melody. The NKOTB version is good too, but I like Ne-Yo’ solo version better. The last couple of tracks are all ballads, my favourite being Lie To Me, about a man insisting on being lied to by his partner so he wouldn’t have to face reality or deal with the consequences of her betrayal.

Although I like this album, and it is different than the regular stuff out there, I still must say it’s very ‘bland’. Yes, Ne-Yo tries to steer off the regular R&B/Pop path, and he does it successfully…. but it’s still lacking something. The music doesn’t creep into your heart and speak to your soul like how R&B used to (think Jodeci). And the beats are still not catchy enough that everybody can’t help but move their feet (think MJ’s early days). Regardless, I’d give Ne-Yo a solid A for effort on this album.

My Likes: Single, Lie To Me, Fade Into The Background, Stop This World.

Ne-Yo – Closer
Ne-Yo – Single
Ne-Yo – Lie To Me

Tags: album