Year Of The Gentleman - Ne-Yo
  • Band Name: Ne-Yo
  • Record Label: Def Jam
  • Release Date: Sep 16, 2008
Metascore
79 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
view
per page
  1. Los Angeles Times
    88
    It's no surprise that Ne-Yo sings about women on his excellent third album, Year of the Gentleman.
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    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.
  3. Dot Music
    80
    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. All Music Guide
    80
    '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.
  5. Rolling Stone
    80
    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.
  6. The Guardian
    80
    His way with a melody is unstoppable, made all the more effective by his understated, no-frills approach to performing.
  7. Vibe
    80
    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."
  8. Village Voice
    80
    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.
  9. Billboard
    70
    [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.
  10. PopMatters
    70
    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.
  11. Slant Magazine
    60
    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.
  12. The A.V. Club
    58
    With his latest, Ne-Yo's winning groove devolves into a rut, and his quiet storm gets awfully sleepy

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
9.0 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 22 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. ec
    5
    (83+80+80+80)/4=84? Oh yeah, and Ne Yo annoys the hell out of me.
  2. ShaniqueP.
    9
    The cd is hot.
  3. LB
    10
    Ne-Yo........ hits on top of hits....everytime! Love it!
See all user reviews »