Because Of You

Ne-Yo | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 1, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Def Jam
• ASIN: B000NVL4EW
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (72 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #13,808 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Kelly Clarkson, kindly step aside: the title "Because of You" now belongs to Ne-Yo, who has done things with it no one with a pair of hands to clap will soon forget. And not just on the phenomenally appealing first single. Throughout Because of You, the sophomore disc by the songwriter responsible for such monster hits as Beyoncé's "Irreplaceable" and Rihanna's "Unfaithful," a flutter-voiced fluidity--the kind seldom heard since Michael Jackson's Off the Wall days--reigns. Jay-Z makes room to let it rip on "Crazy," and Jennifer Hudson wraps herself around it with restraint on "Leaving Tonight," a lovers' quarrel that could hold its own against anything Marilyn McCoo & Billy David Jr. cared to toss off in their heyday. If it's MJ who's lingered in Ne-Yo's ear longest, Prince hasn't gone silent, either: echoes poke up on the far-out "Sex with My Ex." Elsewhere, shades of contemporaries such as Nelly and Diddy show through. Overall, though, Ne-Yo's flammable hooks, flirty vibe, and flawless vocals reveal an R&B genius in the making. If the talent bar for up-and-comers is set impossibly high in the coming years, chances are it will be all because of him. --Tammy La Gorce

Product Description

UK pressing of the 2007 sophomore album from this R&B star featuring one bonus track: 'That's What It Does'. Because Of You is the follow-up to his multi-million selling debut album In My Own Words (including the hits 'So Sick' and 'Sexy Love'). Last year, Ne-Yo also proved himself a masterful songwriter, penning such gems as Rihanna's top-ten hit 'Unfaithful', co-writing Beyonce's instant classic 'Irreplaceable' and writing Mario's 'Let Me Love You'. 13 tracks including the first single 'Because Of You'. Def Jam. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Just okay..., May 2, 2007

By 

E. Davidson "Lizzy" (LA CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Because Of You (Audio CD)

I am a Ne-Yo fan. Though I wouldn't argue that he is the most original artist out there, I will say that his songwriting is what sets him apart from any other R&B artist. With the mind-numbing "music" that is out there today, it's refreshing to remember that a song is not just about a hot beat but the actual lyrics.

With that said this album is overall disappointing. The single "Because of You" is a banger but when I initially heard it, I felt that it was a remix of some of his previous tracks. Jay-Z's rap on "Crazy" is completely gratuitous and does nothing but detract from an already mediocre song. The placement of the tracks is also peculiar as someone else pointed out as some of the best songs are placed in the middle or towards the end. (Note: A solid album doesn't really need to concentrate on placement b/c each track is so outstanding.) On the "Sex with My Ex" he is clearly channeling Prince (his idol) and on "Angel" he sounds like Michael Jackson (his other idol). Despite his blatant unoriginality, I still think the songs are good though I wouldn't arue with someone if they thought they were garbage.

The standout tracks are definitely "Leaving Tonight" with Jennifer Hudson, "Say It" which is my favorite song, and "Go On". Though I must say that "Go On" production sounds far too similar to Beyonce's "Irreplaceable" which we all know Ne-Yo wrote.

Overall, it's worth the $9.99, he'll most likely go platinum many times over, and as another writer mentioned, I hope he really brings it on his third album.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars 3 1/2 Stars 4 Effort but Definitely not as Good as his Debut, May 7, 2007

By 

Dezire (long island, ny) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Because Of You (Audio CD)

Ne-Yo coming back with his sophomore album "Because of You" in my opinion was a rushed album. If he would've took more time with the album, it would've probably came out stellar just like his debut. The album isn't terrible, but you do hear a lot of Prince-influenced vocals on "Addicted" and another track and that was disappointed because we all know that Ne-yo is original and some of that was missing from the album. The album was consistent enough with good tracks, you have to skip around to find them but he'll still pull in his numbers. 3 1/2 Stars...

Standout tracks: "Because of You", "Do You","Leaving Tonight feat. J-Hud, "Work It Out"

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Ne-Yo Proves He's No Fluke, May 1, 2007

By 

Josephll "Reformed Music Addict" (CET) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Because Of You (Audio CD)

Ne-Yo (Shaffer Snith) has been writing songs for other artists since his teens but it wasn't til last year that he finally got some recognition for his work and the chance to record his own album and go from a songwriter in the backround to a singer in the spotlight. Ne-Yo's debut album "In My Own Words" was brilliant, and also one of the best R&B albums of last year. The single "So Sick" also turned out to be a success, topping both the Billboard and Uk charts, but also "Sexy Love" was a top 10 hit. Ne-Yo also wrote the Mario's superhit "Let Me Love You, Rihanna's "Unfaithful" Paula De Anda's "Walk Away", Mario Vasquez "Gallery" and Beyonce's massive #1 hit "Irreplaceable" and rumours say that he's curently working on material for Michael Jackson's new album. Needless to say, Ne-Yo is one of the most talented songwriters around and has proved that he's more then competent as an recording artist on his own. The expectations for his sopmore album are sky high, as good as his debut was, we know he can make an masterpiece, so the question is, how good is it?

Sophmore album is titled "Because of You" and is dedicated to his fans (Myself included I suppose), regardless of alot of rumours there aren't many guest artists included here, Only Jay-Z who briefly introduce one song and then a duet with Jennifer Hudson, but other then that Ne-Yo handles all the singing himself. Just like his debut, Norwegian duo Stargate produce most of the music while Ne-Yo writes his own lyrics ofcourse. Why change something that ain't broken?. Not too surpringing either the main themes here are, love, relationships, cheating, ex-girlfriends and late night hookups and as always the lyrics are magnificently written and alters the album to a very high level. So, While you listen, pay attention to what he sings cause the lyrics are half of the songs. Most songs are ballads or midtempo's, but that's his strenght and not uptempos, so it doesn't come as a surprise that most songs follow that path. I don't know if it got another "So Sick" but after a few listens, the songs grow on you and there are plenty of great songs of this album aswell. In my oppinion, plenty of standouts that could become smash hits. Alright, let's take a look at the songs.

It starts with the first single and title track "Because of You", which is one of the best, if not the best song of this album. A meliodic midtempo that deals with a guy who's addicted to his ex-girlfriend while he's with his new date and even starts seing her again, If you have seen the video you know what's it's like. "Crazy" is introduced briefly by Jay-Z, but then Ne-Yo takes over, it's very slow-paced and won't work on radio, but it's getter better with time and it got romantic lyrics. Still it lacks a good hook to be memorable enough. A Prince-esque midtempo called "Can We Chill" with some cool retro synthesizer sound and great melody/hook seems ready for something big. A beautiful but a little somber song named "Do You" where he calls his ex and wonder if she still thinks of him. "Addicted" is a song where Ne-Yo declare that he isn't addicted so sex, this song however is one of the weaker. The only duet is called "Leaving Tonight" and feautures Jennifer Hudson, This is an classic ballad and wouldn't have been off if it appeared in "Dreamgirls". Ofcourse Ms. Hudson steals the show on this one.

"Ain't Thinking Of You" seems to be another song about about not feeling remorse over a relation that didn't end up well. This is also a faster song and grows at repeated listens. A catchy song with nice beats called "Sex With My Ex" is also ok, was it is with his ex's?. "Angel" a sweet tender romantic ballad that actually reminds me alot of Michael Jackson, this one also grows on you and is really good for certain occasions. "Make It Work" however is one of the definite standouts, a midtempo that deals with relationships and how important it is to never give up even during hard times. For those of you in a long-time relationship, this is your song. A slow piano-ballad called "Say It" is next. It also lacks the catchyness of a good melody and hook and is one of the weaker songs. However, good albums end up well. "Go On Girl" the closer is another standout and is also rumoured to be the second single. It deals with a cheating girlfriend, for once it's actually the good guy and the bad girl and not the other way around. This song got anything to be a big hit.

Overall, Ne-Yo seems to be Prince & Michael Jackson's crown prince, his lyrics and melodicism are first class and few R&B and Pop songwriters at this point can be compared with him. This album should be judged after repeated listens though and you should pay attention to his lyrics which are very fundamental in his music. I'm not sure if he'll score with another "So Sick" that topped the charts on both sides of the atlantic last year but if we're gonna compare his sophmore with his debut album, this one certainly looks more solid with better overall material. Having said that, this is one of the best albums of 2007 and highly recommended to people that apreciate good music.