RECORD RACK

"Because of You" (Def Jam)

A bit of an identity crisis

NE-YO'S songs have an unexpected way of combining heartbreak and arrogance with tender pop melodies. It's this sleight-of-hand that fuels the hugeness of Ne-Yo-penned hits including Beyoncé's "Irreplaceable" and Mario's' "Let Me Love You."

ADVERTISEMENT

"Because of You," Ne-Yo's second album, has some surefire hits too. "Leaving Tonight" is an emotional duet with Jennifer Hudson. "You claim to not know that girl, but her name and number is in your phone / She's even got a ring tone," belts an indignant Hudson. "How do you explain that?" But her full-throttle excellence only underlines his noncommittal and so-so vocals.

Ne-Yo is better off sticking to perky, danceable tunes such as "Go On Girl" and the sparkly title song. Its brisk disco beat and plucky guitar line evoke Quincy Jones. This Ne-Yo album makes no secret that it's mainlining Michael Jackson and Prince for inspiration. "Ne-Yo's like young Michael / I'm Quincy Hov," says Jay-Z on his cameo for "Crazy."

But the young songwriter lacks enough artistic weirdness to follow in the deified footsteps of the King or the Prince. Sure, Ne-Yo can do a good Michael Jackson impersonation, but his voice lacks the clarity of tone and is incapable of reaching the higher notes with beauty, as on "Crazy" and "Can We Chill."

"Sex With My Ex" and "Addicted" are adequate Prince homages, with their chugging electric guitars and churchy organs. But most of the other songs are too formulaic to be truly addictive.

— Serena Kim