Will the real Ne-Yo please stand up!

2010 saw the release of Ne-Yo's 4th album 'Libra Scale', this was a Concept album, based on a short story about three garbage men with superpowers told not to fall in love, and what happens when one does. HUH? exactly, why Ne-Yo why? surely he should have seen that concept albums are dangerous territory with the release of  R. Kelly's clunky Trapped In The Closet! To make matters worse, Ne-Yo has committed himself to becoming the new Michael Jackson, trademark white socks and all! Shockingly the opening song "Champagne Life", gorgeously laying out the glamorous life the main character leads, and closing "What Have I Done?", dealing with the repercussions of his choices, are both silky r&b tunes that recall Jackson's mid-nineties hits like "Remember The Time" almost identically. It is nearly impossible to distinguish the ad-libbed bits in the rubbery "Cause I Said So" and backing vocals of club-ready, synth-thrusting "Beautiful Monster" from those of the icon. This is all very depressing because I used to be a huge Ne-Yo fan, his first two albums were pure gold. His 3rd release 'Year of the Gentlemen' did not enjoy the success of his previous releases but it was a solid effort in a world where urban music and RnB are literally dying!

I forced myself, as any devoted fan would, to listen to the album countless times but to no avail, it remained crap! Sadly it appears I am not the only one who has left the Ne-Yo camp as the sales figures for 'Libra Scale' have been dismal.  The album debuted at number nine on the US Billboard 200 chart, with first-week sales of 112,000 copies. Becoming Ne-Yo's second consecutive top-ten album in the United States since 'Year of the Gentleman', which opened at number 2 on the US Billboard 200, selling 250,000 copies in its first week sales. In its second week, the album went up 10 places on the chart, currently peaking at #5, making it Ne-Yo's lowest selling album of his career.

Dear Ne-Yo, we have given up on Usher and now expect you to bring back some real RnB.

Thanking you in anticipation
Your Fans.