Ok so Vibe called Chris Brown the "Future of R&B". Now I really like Chris Brown
and an extremely happy for his success at such a young age. I can also
appreciate the positive energy he has brought to R&B. I am really REALLY not
into all these titles, but if anyone is the future of R&B-- it's Ne-Yo.


Ne-Yo: So Sick
“No Titles Needed” An Album Review by Nfared
While there is no definite formula for success when it comes to the music
industry, there are those who have found a method that works. Write a few hits
for artist from Mary J. to Mariah Carey and then release an album after becoming
an established writer. While there are no guarantees that this will be the
ultimate plan, Ne-Yo has worked it like second nature. The singer/writer has put
in work as a writer for years. His debut album “So Sick” is not only the
beginning of a solo career, but also something of a culmination of all the songs
he has written for other artist. Hard work does pay off.

The poignant ballad “Time” moves with passion and a slight fury. The
production, which is nothing more than a piano and a variety of strings, uses
very little to create a sense of urgency. Ne-Yo matches this urgency, combining
the fluidity of his voice with an intense tone. As he explains the importance of
appreciation in a relationship, there is an audible aim for thoughtful lyrical
content with his first few words, “How come you don’t make time for me
anymore/that’s the last thing she said to you/and now when you call she don’t
answer anymore….”. The strikingly vivid “Mirror” takes the average love making
song and gives it a different spin. Knowing this, Ne-Yo warns, “now mama please
don’t think me strange for what I’m about to say to you”. He then goes into the
spill the beans chorus; “Baby I love makin love in front of the mirror/so that I
can watch you enjoyin me/baby tonight lets tryin in front of the mirror/watchin
ourselves make love/girl why don’t we?”. Ne-Yo shows his
vocal skills, using a more subdued and sensual voice. Someone, somewhere is
blushing, but at least it is not as a result of vulgarity as the track is
surprisingly tasteful. “It Just Ain’t Right” is an interesting look at hindsight
as Ne-Yo happens upon an old flame. With the chorus, he is flat out honest about
the impact this past relationship has had on his current one as he confesses,
“When I’m wit my girl/I call your name/and it just ain’t right/then I’ll be
sexing her and/I’ll call your name/and it just ain’t right/and it ain’t no
little thang that I/I call your name/and it just ain’t right/do you ever do the
same cause I/I call your name/and it just ain’t right.” The jumpy production
makes the track even more memorable, and Ne-Yo weaves through the track with an
exciting vocal prowess. Putting down the “playa card”, “Get Down Like That”
actually has an old school, playa sound on the production side. Though not as
exciting as some of the other offerings, he at least admits that
he has a “very healthy appetite for chicks” but is willing to tell them that
when he settles down, “it can’t be like that no mo”.

Needle Meter There is a king of crooning, a king of R&B, and Chris Brown has
even been deemed by Vibe as the “Future of R&B”. Where does this leave Ne-Yo? If
it means title-less, there is probably no real issue with that, as Ne-Yo aims to
step off the preverbal cliff and fly on his own. His honest, to the point
writing is intriguing and creative enough to stand out in the muck of singers
that have jumped on whatever bandwagon is passing through this week. Also, while
others in Ne-Yo’s position seem to throw themselves at the projects of other
artist and slack on their own, Ne-Yo puts just as much effort into his own
material as he does for those he has written for. With a solid track record and
an extremely innovative debut album, a title would be insulting. Five Needles-
CLASSIC!















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