<div id="subtitle">Music Review: Ne-Yo's 'Year of the Gentleman' too staid for enjoyment</div><div><p>Ne-Yo, "Year of the Gentleman" (Def Jam)</p><p>In just two years, Ne-Yo has not only released two best-selling albums, he's also written and produced host of hits for other stars, and collaborated with several other acts as well.</p><p>He may be spreading himself a little too thin, if his latest CD, "Year of the Gentleman," is any indication. While it takes Ne-Yo in a new musical direction — away from the sensual, sleek soul of its predecessors and more toward pop — it is decidedly less appealing than his previous efforts.</p><p>Ne-Yo has said he listened to the likes of Billy Joel and Elton John to get inspired for the CD, but there's nothing worthy of those giants on this record. Instead, there are saccharin ballads like "Mad," "Part of the List" and the repetitive, dreary "Lie To Me" in addition to weak midtempo tracks like "Fade Into the Background," which recalls the mechanical drum-and-synth sound of the 1980s — but not in a good way. And Ne-Yo's Jackson-esque vocals, well detailed by now, are a little bit too much like the King of Pop at times — on "Nobody," he even mimics Jackson's quirky breathing traits.</p><p>Surprisingly, the record's biggest letdown is the songwriting, the strength of 2006's "In My Own Words" and last year's "Because of You." In place of strong storytelling, there's rote rhyming and songs that don't engage the listener. A prime example is "Why Does She Stay," on which Ne-Yo admits to being an all-around jerk to his woman — but instead of promising to do better, just asks why she sticks around. Good question.</p><p>The hit dance single "Closer" and "Miss Independent," both produced by the team Stargate, are among the disc's bright spots, as well as simple yet lovely "So You Can Cry," a gorgeous ditty that gives a friend a pass to wallow in pain: It's so cheerful it can't help but lift anyone's mood. If only he had more of these kind of songs to lift the entire disc.</p><p>___</p><p>CHECK THIS TRACK OUT: Call it "Independent Women" circa 2008: On the club-friendly, midtempo "Miss Independent," Ne-Yo celebrates the woman who's not looking for him to enhance her own financial status. Instead of sounding bitter about gold-diggers, this is truly a celebration of the self-sufficient woman.</p><img src="http://admatch-syndication.mochila.com/images/ad.gif?aid=32907827&bid=informcom" /></div><div id="copyright"><div>

Copyright 2008  <a href="http://www.ap.org">AP News</a></div></div>