Album Review: Ne-Yo - Year of the Gentleman (4/5)

On Year of the Gentleman, singer/songwriter/producer Ne-Yo declares that he's in a class apart from most of his other male pop/R&B contemporaries. While Usher and Lil Wayne are busy trying to get laid in clubs, acknowledging women as little more than sex objects, Ne-Yo explores a less carnal brand of female admiration.

Take, for example, "Miss Independent," the upbeat Stargate collaboration that finds Ne-Yo interested in a woman not because she needs to depend on him, but because she doesn't. "She got her own thing, that's why I love her" intones Ne-Yo in the synth-based chorus. Certainly we've heard this melodic beats, synths, and harp sound before from Ne-Yo--"Because of You" and "Sexy Love" in particular--but it's never sounded as good as it does here.

"Miss Independent" is just one of several great moments early on. First track "Closer" takes a confident step into dance pop, a genre R&B-leaning pop hasn't seemed comfortable with for years. The song took awhile to catch on in the U.S.--dance pop being a genre that the U.S. public hasn't seemed comfortable with lately either--but now it's a big hit, currently #7 on the Hot 100 and #2 at Top 40 radio. The retro-sounding "Nobody," another winner, finds Ne-Yo doing a very good impression of Michael Jackson.

Polow Da Don creates a good piano and beats production for "Single," currently a hit for New Kids on the Block (featuirng Ne-Yo). This version thankfully does not include the New Kids, and once again Ne-Yo declares the song is "for girls who got their own car, this for girls who got their own crib." "Mad" is the album's first ballad, and, while not a knockout, is a pleasant piano-based number.

Then there's "Why Does She Stay," a slow burner with piano and trippy synths that finds a self-deprecating Ne-Yo questioning why his woman stays with him when he's such a loser. "Most of the time, I'm so damn selfish, I don't even realize she treats me so well." The song's earnestness is the most it has going for it, for I find it rather lacking musically. "Fade into the Background" fulfills its name too much. Other reviewers really like these two songs, but they aren't musically assertive enough for me.

Things pick up again on "So You Can Cry," a lovely little song about consoling a woman who's just broken up with her man. Ne-Yo is the sensitive guy who will "ask the clouds to bring the rain for you today" so she can have a good cry. Even better is "Part of the List," which has a gorgeous, mature production of piano, strings, and acoustic guitar.

"Back to What You Know" is another good Stargate number, this time with a strong dose of acoustic guitar, punched up with piano and synth during the chorus. Ever the gentleman, Ne-Yo implores his girl to go back to her ex, since he can tell she's still in love with him ("I'd rather you happy, than miserable with me"). Perhaps it's the same girl from "Lie to Me," who "crept back in at 6:45," which Ne-Yo tries to believe was just a dream. While I'm not into the ballads in the middle of the album, I do like the album's lush closer, "Stop this World." When the vocals and strings soar during the chorus, it clicks nicely.

Year of the Gentleman is the first Ne-Yo album I've bought, and I was pleasantly surprised that it held up to my expectations. Ne-Yo's not the most amazing singer, but he's a great songwriter, creating melodic and rich backgrounds that showcase his strengths. Not as important on the album, but he can also dress and dance. In short, he's the whole package.

Best: Miss Independent, Closer, Nobody, Part of the List, Stop This World, Back to What You Know.