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Year Of The Gentleman

Generally favorable reviews
Based on 12 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 16 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album >
Album Info
Label: Def Jam
Release Date: 16 September 2008
Discs: 1 disc
Genre(s): R&B, Soul
Summary
The third album for the R&B singer features songs produced by Stargate, Stereotypes, and Polow da Don.
Also By This Artist: Because Of You In My Own Words
Also On The Web: Official Artist Site
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Los Angeles Times
It's no surprise that Ne-Yo sings about women on his excellent third album, Year of the Gentleman.
Read Full Review >Entertainment Weekly
On his third disc in as many years, the 28-year-old Southerner with the Michael Jackson falsetto not only wears his heart on his sleeve, he lets it bleed down his (no doubt high-thread-count) cuff.
Read Full Review >Rolling Stone
The 28-year-old singer-songwriter says his latest collection of heartfelt love songs is a tribute to the Rat Pack's pressed-suit style, but it's actually a superb concept album about what a great boyfriend he can be.
Read Full Review >The Guardian
His way with a melody is unstoppable, made all the more effective by his understated, no-frills approach to performing.
Read Full Review >All Music Guide
'Why Does She Stay,' forms the front end of a two-track patch of glorious gloom--the album's center, both literally and figuratively--complemented by 'Fade into the Background,' where he watches the one who got away get married.
Read Full Review >Village Voice
Ne-Yo's fantastic third CD, The Year of the Gentleman, reconfigures "grown and sexy" by detailing relationships with an often uneasy mix of heartache, reflection, wit, lust, and resignation.
Read Full Review >Vibe
Ne-Yo is a stronger, more confident man than the one many remember licking his wounds on 'So Sick' from his debut album "In My Own Words" and 'Do You' from 2007’s "Because of You."
Read Full Review >Dot Music
It's Shaffer's writing, rather than Ne-Yo's singing (and the distinction between the personas is one he's made himself), which elevates this collection beyond those of his peers.
Read Full Review >Billboard
[He said] wanted to take a different direction on Year of the Gentleman. However, it seems he still has a heavy--yet welcome--case of the (rhythm and) blues on the finished product.
Read Full Review >PopMatters
Year of the Gentleman proves that a contemporary artist can appeal to the youth while still writing songs that are lyrically substantial enough for the older folks to appreciate.
Read Full Review >Slant Magazine
So, even if the album eventually succumbs to Mariah Carey LP-balladitis, and even if it never quite soars like Justified (which had the benefit of that inner conflict between sensitivity and pussy-hounding that Ne-Yo couldn't fake if he tried), Gentlemen's complete lack of irony or humor makes for an ironically surprising listen.
Read Full Review >The Onion (A.V. Club)
With his latest, Ne-Yo's winning groove devolves into a rut, and his quiet storm gets awfully sleepy
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this album is 9.0 (out of 10) based on 16 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Shanique P. gave it a9:
The cd is hot.
L B gave it a10:
Ne-Yo........ hits on top of hits....everytime! Love it!
Callie T. gave it a10:
I personally bought this CD and thought it was the best use of my money! I haven't bought a CD in over five years and wasn't disappointed at all when I heard Ne-Yo's wonderfully flowing lyrics. I've listened to the CD everyday since I bought it.
Yonko D. gave it a6:
It's a great album!
Chew gave it a9:
This album is the 3rd album for Ne-yo. Each album he makes seems to get better and better. From In My Own Words, Because of You to Year of The Gentleman, Ne-yo keeps getting better with the lyrics and production. His style is a style that we all envy, and what was thought to be non-existant, only shown in artists from the past, such as Micheal Jackson. His lyrics don't talk about sex, drugs, or hoes, or the cliched love, but atlthough love, he talks about messages that we all can relate to. Superb album. Chew Picks: All, the albums a calm ride.
Usman K. gave it a10:
Closest thing possible to an MJ album. Beautiful melodies throughout and a lot of tracks use in house live instruments which you just don't see anymore with rnb singers. Great lyrics as well especially on songs 'like lie to me' and 'stop this world'. Hope ne-yo continues to make music like this
e c gave it a5:
(83+80+80+80)/4=84? Oh yeah, and Ne Yo annoys the hell out of me.
