Album Review: Libra Scale by Ne-Yo

We get another comic based concept album to review.  This one from R&B star Ne-Yo.  Apparently the story is about three garbage men, but like the story behind My Chemical Romance's album it's lost behind good songs.  

If you want to sit down and listen to a solid R&B record that has the feel of something from another time, a time when R&B was dominating the airwaves and producing people like Michael Jackson and Terrence Trent Darby, then give this a turn.  I mention these two artists in particular.  There is a lot of Michael Jackson influence here, very blatant at times, and if I were to say who his other influence is here I would turn to Darby.

There isn't a bad song on the album and Ne-Yo has managed to get completely away from all the garbage that has become so ingrained in so much modern R&B.  Is it cheesy at times? Yes, but not embarrassingly so and Ne-Yo makes up for it with solid singing and good songwriting. 

This is the best straight up R&B album I've heard this year.  I could see playing this when hanging out with friends or when you are in a mood where you just want some nice music playing in your life. 

Following the Rhapsody rating method I give it 3 out of 5 stars for Pretty Good.