• Band Name: Ne-Yo
  • Record Label: Def Jam
  • Release Date: Sep 16, 2008
Year Of The Gentleman Image
Metascore

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critics What's this?

User Score

Universal acclaim- based on 22 Ratings

  • Summary: The third album for the R&B singer features songs produced by Stargate, Stereotypes, and Polow da Don.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 12
  2. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. It's no surprise that Ne-Yo sings about women on his excellent third album, Year of the Gentleman.
  2. '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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.

See all 12 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 8
  2. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. LB
    10
    Ne-Yo........ hits on top of hits....everytime! Love it!
  2. CallieT.
    10
    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. Expand
  3. UsmanK.
    10
    Closest thing possible to an MJ album. Beautiful melodies throughout and a lot of tracks use in house live instruments which you just don9;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 Expand
  4. ec
    5
    (83+80+80+80)/4=84? Oh yeah, and Ne Yo annoys the hell out of me.

See all 8 User Reviews