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Year Of The Gentleman | 
| Manufacturer: Def Jam
Buy New: $5.00
Rating:  66 reviews
Sales Rank: 11
Genre: soul-music
Media: MP3 Download
Running Time: 0 Minutes
ASIN: B001FMSQ30
Publication Date: September 16, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews: Read 61 more reviews...
 Ne-Yo does it again with "Year Of The Gentleman". September 24, 2008
J. Highsmith (Mitchellville, Maryland United States)
10 out of 10 found this review helpful
I was introduced to Ne-Yo when I heard the track "Stay", which features the artist formerly known as Peedi Crakk. The song got my attention but I needed to hear more tracks before I decided to invest in Ne-Yo's project. Once "So Sick" was released to radio, I knew that I would invest in it.
Ne-Yo was singing the blues about not being with the woman that he still loves and the midtempo track was in heavy rotation on the radio stations.
Ne-Yo released his debut CD, In My Own Words, in 2006.
My favorite tracks ended up being "Let Me Get This Right", "Get Down Like That", "Mirror", "Time" and "Let Go".
Ne-Yo released Because Of You a year later. The title track gave the CD alot of attention and the midtempo jam "Do You" didn't hurt things either. I also liked the alternate version of "Do You" that featured Mary J. Blige. My other favorites from the CD included "Can We Chill", "Say It", "Angel" and "Crazy" w/Jay-Z.
I saw Ne-Yo in concert earlier this year with Alicia Keys and Jordin
Sparks. I was anxious to see whether or not he would perform any songs from his upcoming album. He began the concert with "Closer" but I was disappointed that he didn't atleast give us a preview of what to expect.
After listening to this CD, I understand why he kept us in suspense and I am definitely satisfied with the final product. The 1st single "Closer" is unlike any song that Ne-Yo has made so far in his career. The track has tremendous energy and it comes across as an urban house song that you will be doing any kind of 2 step to even 20 years from now. He slows things down with the 2nd single "Miss Independent". Ne-Yo dedicates this track to the ladies that are out there doing their thing on their own. Whether, it's raising children, being the boss of their own firm or paying their bills on time, Ne-Yo dedicates this song to the independent ladies that are making something out of their lives. If you purchased the CD from Itunes there is a remix of "Miss Independent" entitled "She Got Her Own" w/Jamie Foxx & Fabolous. Most people will like the original track better but the remix isn't that bad at all. "Nobody" is a nice uptempo jam for the clubs. The track has Mijac (Michael Jackson) written all over it but it also has hit written all over it as well. Ne-Yo talks about how a particular woman is shutting the club down with her style, dancing skills and overall looks. I am not sure why Ne-Yo decided to put a track that he wrote for New Kids On The Block's new CD on here. However, "Single" clearly works and any female that's ever been put in that situation will definitely be able to relate to Ne-Yo's lyrics on this track. Once you hear "Mad" you will be able to understand why Ne-Yo's songwriting is in so much demand. He is able to break down things that happen in relationships in general and I am pretty sure that he has experienced some of the things that he is writing about as well. "Why Does She Stay?" has Ne-Yo acknowledging his faults and what he does wrong in the relationship and at the same time he is asking why does his woman choose to stay with him despite these faults. He gives her credit for putting up with his antics and he even realizes that he doesn't deserve to be with her. "Fade Into The Background" has Ne-Yo describing a situation at the club where he is eyeing a particular young lady. By the time he has to nerve to try to approach her, he realizes that someone beat him to it or that she is there with someone else. I think that has happened to every man atleast once in their life. "So You Can Cry" is a stellar midtempo jam that has Ne-Yo describing a situation where a woman is feeling depressed about a failed relationship and Ne-Yo is trying to do anything possible to be there for her during this difficult time. Ne-Yo has a nice touch of thoughtfulness on this project and it just makes him a better songwriter. "Back To What You Know" has Ne-Yo telling the lady that he is involved with that he can tell that she is not 100% commited to their relationship. He is letting her know that if your heart is still with your ex, then that is where you need to be instead of wasting their time in this relationship. Can the church say Amen to that one? This is another stellar midtempo jam on "Year Of The Gentleman". "Lie To Me" sounds like a track that Michael Jackson turned down and Ne-Yo decided to use for himself. On the 2nd verse, I thought I was going to hear a "Chum On" that Mijac is famous for singing in his songs. Ne-Yo is eerily trying to channel Michael on the 2nd verse. This song isn't bad but it could have been better. Things end on a great note with "Stop The World". The song will have you thankful that you are able to find someone special to spend the rest of your life with like I have. "Part Of The List" isn't bad but it sounds like Ne-Yo was trying to hard on certain parts of this track.
Overall, I feel Ne-Yo has created one of the best r&b releases of the year with "Year Of The Gentleman". This is clearly the best CD that Ne-Yo has ever written and the majority of the tracks demonstrate his writing talent. If you enjoyed "In My Own Words" or "Because Of You", then you can't afford to pass up on "Year Of The Gentleman".
James' Top 5
1) Closer
2) Miss Independent
3) Stop This World
4) So You Can Cry
5) Fade Into The Background
Honorable Mention:
Nobody
Why Does She Stay?
Back To What You Know
Single
Mad
Year of the Gentleman, Indeed. September 16, 2008
Rudy Palma (NJ)
8 out of 11 found this review helpful
One of the few R&B stars to emerge in the last few years to sound more like an authentic talent than a record company puppet, singer/songwriter Ne-Yo affirms his stardom on killer third studio LP "Year of the Gentleman." A classy affair throughout, the fast-moving album packs a dozen quality songs, at least half of which could make solid radio hits, with Ne-Yo's warm, velvety vocals leading the way. He is a smart songwriter fully aware of the type of material that suits his limited but solid, expressive range, enabling him to craft catchy, elegant musical rapture consistently and heartily.
Ne-Yo has explained the album title by proclaiming it as his aim to evoke memories of a different time - a time when it was imperative to walk out the front door always looking your best - to look the part of the gentleman. Most importantly, he sings as well as looks the part on the glossy album cover, whether he does it through romantic paeans such as "Why Does She Stay?" or situational pieces such as "Mad," where he refuses to go to bed with his love muffin until their argument is over and they've kissed and made up. Yes, Ne-Yo may be aiming for the title of Mister Cornball, but darn if he doesn't churn out some downright listenable stuff.
The seductive, hook-drenched "Nobody" is every bit as impressive as effervescent lead single "Closer," one of the strongest Top 10 pop hits of the year. The bouncy "Single" twists and bends with sticky-as-Christmas tree sentiments that ably blend in with the album's context, as does second single "Miss Independent." A sexy, endlessly-playable pledge of allegiance to powerful women, it is already firmly situated in the Top 40 and bound to go even further than "Closer." Stargate's buoyant, light-as-feather production touch again brings out the best in Ne-Yo's particular brand of meaty, substantial R&B.
The pace slows as the album winds down, but the quality songs keep coming with the likes of the hard-won wisdom of "Lie to Me" and the crisp, airy "Back to What You Know." The urgent, captivating "Stop This World" wraps thing up tidily.
Ne-Yo truly delivers the goods here. Solid, juicy melodies color all the tracks, as opposed to the pre-canned rhythms and handclaps that have poisoned the market as of late. In the world of mainstream music he is a creative breath of fresh air. He may not yield anything groundbreaking, but he produces quality art. Today's pop music scene desperately needs more artists like him, and if "Year of the Gentleman" is any indication he is here to stay for a while.
 Plastic Soul... September 16, 2008
Nse Ette (Lagos, Nigeria)
7 out of 10 found this review helpful
A few months ago, Ne-Yo stated in interviews that he was bored with R&B and was going to stretch out musically in different directions. He even cited quite a few Rock acts he claimed to listen to. This, coupled with the fact that he is a talented songwriter (Beyonce's "Irreplaceable", Janet's "Discipline" to mention a few) made me look forward to his next musical foray.
Fast forward to the present and unfortunately, his new CD is more of the same old R&B he claimed to be tired of. There's no bad track on the CD I admit, but also nothing vital. Everything sounds airbrushed to perfection, with the backing vocals doing more of the singing, and Ne-Yo basically sounding soul-less.
Lead-off single "Closer" is a pleasant Club number (it's already topped the UK charts) however one can't help but feel it's an imitation of Rihanna's "Don't stop the music". "Miss independent" attempts to add some Middle Eastern influences but is nothing amazing (There's a remix titled "She got her own" featuring Jamie Foxx and Fabolous. It uses a speeded up vocal and piano sample from Donna Summer's "My baby understands" and it is much better than the album version of the song), while "Nothing" tries desperately to sound like something off Michael Jackson's "Off the wall" album, vocal impersonations included.
I rather like the ballad "Single" though those pounding beats almost overwhelm the song. Other standouts (if I may use that term) are the quite groovy dance song "Fade into the background" (he should have done more songs like this), the very catchy ballad "Lie to me" (with nice Techno-ish effects that everyone else seems to be using these days, e.g. Usher), and the closing piano ballad "Stop this world".
Well, what do I know. He must be doing something right as each of his albums has gone platinum and this one will no doubt do the same. Hopefully, Ne-Yo will find his soul someday and come out with that very good album I know he has got somewhere in him, but this isn't it.
Ne-Yo - Year of the Gentleman September 18, 2008
Constant (Vancouver, BC Canada)
7 out of 8 found this review helpful
Ne-Yo returns with his third album in three years with "Year of the Gentleman" (2008) a twelve track effort which features production from Stargate, Polow Da Don, Stereotypes, Shomari "Sho" Wilson, Reggie "Scyience" Perry, Chuck Harmony & Shea Taylor. Ne-Yo has no guest appearances on this release. The 28 year old singer starts the album off with the single "Closer" a track which has blown up on the radio. To be honest I have never really been impressed by this joint, has not grown on me like past Ne-Yo songs. The second single is "Miss Independent" a laidback ballad where Ne-Yo sings his appreciation for women who takes care of herself. The track's that stand out for me at the moment on this release are "Mad" where Ne-Yo croons a tale of heart ache looking to reconcile with a love & and the closing track "Stop This World" a heartfelt ballad which has Ne-Yo singing about the highs of being in love. Other track's on this release don't grab my attention as much, in truth though I am not a member of the target market Ne-Yo is appealing to with his music, and instead finding more appeal in artists like Anthony Hamilton. "Year of The Gentleman" is a decent release, which dedicated Ne-Yo fans should be happy with.
Another Winner From the IPOD Generation's Babyface September 16, 2008
Derrick Dunn (Woodbridge,VA)
6 out of 8 found this review helpful
Ne-Yo returns with his new album, Year Of The Gentlemen and like his previous it's refreshing R&B at it's best. I consider Ne-Yo to be a combination of two of the greatest musical icons of our time, the first being Michael Jackson and the second being Babyface. Vocally I can't think of any other singer who shadows MJ when it comes to singing a bridge, and when it comes to writing a love song for the ladies, Ne-Yo is the man to go to. Year Of The Gentlemen doesn't really break any ground and that's just fine, since Ne-Yo has already earned a spot as of the icons of modern R&B. There's maybe two songs on the album I didn't care for,however Ne-Yo charmisa and natural vocal talent more than make up for it.
1.Closer - The lead single that's been on the radio for the past five months, and unless you've been under a rock you've under this one.
2.Nobody - This is one of the many feel good songs on the CD. It easily sounds like a song that Michael Jackson would sing.
3.Single - I first heard this song on the over rated New Kids On The Block reunion CD. The production by Polow The Don is cool and Ne-Yo easily out sings Joey McIntyre and Jordan Knight.
4.Mad - The first of many of the ballad heavy CD. Mad is one of the weaker ballads and it seems better suited for Jesse McCartney or Colby O Dennis.
5. Miss Independent - The second single and one of my favorites. Every time I hear this song it makes me think of the strength of a woman and how they can do anything they put their mind to.
6. Why Does She Stay - After the so-so Mad, Ne-Yo steps up with this one. It makes me realize that despite all the negativity men do to women, there are really good ones, out there, that wills stick by their man no matter what.
7.Fade Into The Background - This is another winner, where Ne-Yo is talking about watching the one that got away marry another man.
8.So You Can Cry - I like the vibe, Ne-Yo was going for with this song. It reminds me of Ralph Tresvant's Allright Now.
9. Part Of The List - Listening to this song I was reminded of Boyz II Men's Girl In The Life Magazine, it really didn't impress too much and the song is kind of boring. This song should have been replaced with Ne-Yo acoustic cover of Lady In My Life.
10.Back To What You Know - This up tempo song is a winner and Ne-Yo is basically telling his women to go to her previous love.
11. Lie To Me - Ok this song lost me with it's beat and more than respect an artist for trying something new but this didn't really do anything for Ne-Yo. I think he should have replaced this song with the sexy slow jam Let's Just Be.
12. Stop This World - I first heard this lovely ballad on All My Children at the wedding of the characters of Jessie & Angie. It's a beautiful song and along with Robin Thicke's The Sweetest Love should be played at every wedding reception for years to come.
13. Miss Independent Part 2 feat. Jamie Foxx & Fabolous - Depending on where you buy the CD from you may get this track which is just as good as the original.
With his third CD in 2 years Ne-Yo provides another winner of a disc full of romantic ballads and smooth Michael Jackson styled vocals. While the CD may feature one or two songs that I didn't care for, Ne-Yo as never sounded sounded better vocally and I can't wait for the tour.
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