In My Own Words: Ne-Yo Speaks for Himself

It's a sad truth that R&B is becoming more disposable by the second. With record contracts being handed out like toilet paper at a Charmin convention, new artists and groups are entering the arena by the droves with nothing more than good looks and a paper-thin voice on their side.

These label-professed "next big things" have no clue what genuine artistry is and instead of taking the time to study and learn the art form of music and cultivating their knowledge into musicianship with integrity and durability, new artists/groups are pitted against each other in a battle of Pro-Tools and 1,2 steps to see who can shoot the gaudiest video and rocket to the top of TRL and 106&Park the quickest.

Occasionally, a glimmer of hope and beauty might be found in the wreckage but usually, that glimmer is overall ignored by the general public, they rescind back into anonymity, and you, the frustrated music consumer, are left wearing yet another groove into your Miseducation and Voodoo LPs.

But in 2006, it seems like that glimmer might get brighter and spread farther than before. And that's because this time, the glimmer has a name; Ne-Yo. His backstory is a classic; he worked for several years behind the scenes as a songwriter, penned a few smash hits for a few high-profile artists (most notably, the #1 single of 2004 - Mario, "Let Me Love You"), and finally got a chance to make his pencil and wordplay work for him.

Aligning himself with the Carter Administration over at Def Jam, he holed himself up in a studio with a handful of relative unknowns and emerged with the 12 (13) songs that comprise his debut album, the aptly titled In My Own Words.

And with 300k sold and a #1 debut first week out, I guess he proved his point. And yet what's ironic is the fact that his success almost didn't break out. He was introduced to the world thru his staccato, percussive ode to music, Stay, and while the visual aid that accompanied the record received decent airplay on all the popular outlets, radio snubbed the single and Ne-Yo's ascent to the top was quickly halted. But thankfully, Ne-Yo and Def Jam had an ace up their sleeve; code-name So Sick.

The world is a sucker for a good love song, especially a sad love song, and So Sick fit the bill perfectly. Combining somber, atmospheric and soothing production from UK duo Stargate, a simple yet smart and defined lyric about love lost, and Ne-Yo's smooth and plaintive vocal, the song begged its way right to the near-top of the charts. And while Ne-Yo's full-length doesn't always deliver on the promise of So Sick and Stay, it does establish him as the most promising newcomer for miles around.

What's most impressive about Ne-Yo's album is that it's a solid and mostly catchy affair despite boasting no A-list producers or high-profile cameos. Instead, Ne-Yo relies on his slick melodies, clever wordplay and strong tenor to make his material stick to the proverbial ribs. And most of the time, it sticks like oatmeal in the middle of December.

Let Me Get This Right finds Ne-Yo taking a stab at some horn-laden contemporary soul and he does it up quite nicely, easily boasting the album's most memorable melody and arrangement. Newest single, When You're Mad, keeps the momentum going with its spry instrumentation and honest lyric from Ne-Yo as he professes how his lady's anger is his aphrodisiac. And he rides the sleek and smooth wave right on into It Just Ain't Right, with Ne-Yo coyly admitting to his ex that he's still stuck on her, thus embarrassingly blurting out her name at the most inopportune time.

Then he fumbles when he tries to get freaky and suggest he and his woman have sex in front of the Mirror. The production is atmospheric but seems to lack a spark and the overall concept sounds a little bland in execution. Thankfully, Ne-Yo picks the pace back up and spits his best game at a eye-catching lady on Sign Me Up before slowing it down just a little to remind her that he doesn't have to remind her of her obvious beauty on I Ain't Gotta Tell You.

Get Down Like That is one of two ballads on the album and is the better of the two; utilizing the same Dramatics sample from "No One Will Do" by MJB, Ne-Yo is straightforward in smothering a potential love affair by proudly declaring his loyalty and devotion to his current girl. Time is the other ballad and album finale and definitely ends the album on a less-than-stellar note. Though it boasts sage advice about how vital time is to a relationship, Ne-Yo's advice is a bit clichéd and rudimentary and his vocal is a borderline whine, more annoying than it is effective.

Sexy Love and Let Go make up the balance of the album; the former boasting an infectious handclap rhythm and catchy hook that has Ne-Yo exclaiming how his woman's sexiness makes the hair on his neck stand up. The latter a forgettable near-ballad that finds Ne-Yo unable to shake off a failed relationship. And in a 50:00 nutshell, In My Own Words, proved both Ne-Yo's worth as an all-around musician and the fact that he saved some of his best material for himself.

His production isn't always the most memorable but definitely holds weight despite it's lack of A-list octane. And though he isn't the most charismatic vocalist, his strong tenor definitely engages and sells his material to the listener in certain spots. But what gives this album such a solid foundation is, without a doubt, Ne-Yo's lyricism. He has a strong knack for composing simple yet smart lyrics and he definitely one-ups his contemporaries in the creative concepts department. Though his execution may not always be as great as his premise, Ne-Yo definitely set the high-water mark for newcomers in 2006 and beyond.

In my own words, Ne-Yo is one to keep your eye on. Chances are, you'll be so sick of (mostly) everything else before you will be of him.