Chabot Spectator

Issue date: 5/3/07 Section: The Scene

Media Credit: Courtesy of Def Jam Records

The much anticipated, follow up album of hit making artist, Ne-Yo, seems to have been a vision into the past.

As you listen to his CD, one might wonder whether they are listening to the artist formerly known as Prince or Michael Jackson.

Though his cliché beats do not take away from Ne-Yo's lyrical abilities, it seems this once unique and original artist has taken his inspiration from past artists a little too far.

His song "Angel" is very melodic and has a catchy beat, but immediately you will identify the song as being a hit once produced by the Prince of Pop, Michael Jackson.

The song describes his love with what he believes to be the perfect woman, but she is intangible.

Another hit off his newly released album is "Sex with my Ex" and it can be associated with a Prince song. It begins with an electric guitar solo and leads into a beat that would probably be used by Prince.

The song portrays his confidence that no matter whom his ex-girlfriends plan to date next, he will still be the best they ever had.

Both songs are worth listening to; any fan of Ne-Yo will like them, but they just seem to be a flash into the past.

However, he does redeem himself by collaborating with Jay-Z and producing the song "Crazy".

The song speaks of a woman that has sent him into an obsessive state of mind and he has lost the ability to function correctly.

Again, he also finds his unique touch in the song "Because of You". This song shows the original "Ne-Yo" that his fans first came to love and adore, it was also his first single release off the album. The song explains his obsession of sex with a particular female, but supposedly it is also a subliminal message being sent to his fans that it is "because of them" that he produced his second album.

Overall the CD sounds as if Ne-Yo is crying out for wanted future love or past love that has been lost. In the songs, "Do You" and "Leaving Tonight" featuring Jennifer Hudson, his voice changes to illustrate the pain and agony he feels for some woman.

Because of You is worth a first listen, but one should not spend the full $10 on it, wait for it to go on sale before deciding to purchase it.

Ne-Yo
Album: Beacuse of You
Record Label: Def Jam
The Scene rating:2/4 stars
Producer: The Carter Administration

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