With his third studio album, John Legend wanted to change his sound up, while not drifting too far from home. The album opens with an intro of one of its greatest songs “Good Morning”. The melodic piano keys mix with horns and Legend’s neo-soul voice produce a sound synonymous to previous albums, yet juxtaposed to some of the album’s more funky tracks.

“Give me the Green Light”, sings Legend on the album’s first single, that features Outkast’s Andre 3000. The video for the single was released a while back, and vividly displays the party anthem for what it is. “I’m just style freein’, freestylin’, which yawl seldom do,” chants Dre’, on the single, that was Legend’s biggest leap from his typical sound.

“It’s Over” (ft. Kanye West) carries with it a jazzy sound, over a notable Pharell Williams produced beat. One of the better songs on the ablum, “Everybody Knows”, follows with lyrics like “I still can’t believe you, found somebody new. I wish you the best… I guess".

Talented, but troubled, singer Brandy makes an appearance on the album in “Quickly”. The story of a love that must ensue a.s.a.p. for fears of a falling sky and Armageddon, or maybe it was more of global warming and a doctor’s visit gone bad. Next though, and more of a ballad is “Cross the Line”, the only extravagance being the slight percussion that accompanies the piano line.

With an essence of reggae, soul singer, Estelle steps on board on the track “No Other Love”. Legend, in the wake of artists like Jasmine Sullivan, draws from the reggae genre to add that extra funk. (He did this in a big way later on, but you have to keep reading).

“This time I want it all!” sings Legend over a slightly synthy background. “Last time I wasn’t sure/ This time I will give you more/ I’m more mature” from “This Time”; it’s lyrics making it the perfect “breakup and get-back-together” song. The album picks back up with a more upbeat “Satisfaction”, but the speed is broken quickly with “Take Me Away”.

Birds’ chirping in all, “Good Morning” shows why John Legend is one of this generation’s kings of soul “Baby how can I convince you/ Make it so you can’t resist/ Whatever else you have to do now/ It can’t be half as good as this”. He continues in this vein with “I Love, You Love”, a truly heartfelt tune.

The album’s final song, “If You’re Out There”, was debuted at the Democratic National Convention back in August. The song called for voices of a generation to stand up and make a difference. One of the album’s bonus tracks, “Can’t Be My Lover”, features Jamaican reggae powerhouse Buju Banton. That’s more of that reggae thing I was talking about. A collaboration no one expected, I’d say, but the track came out amazing and flows well as Legend pulls off the reggae swagger.

The album is currently #6 on the Billboard Hot 200, but has peaked at #4 already. Besides a few glitches here and there, John Legend accomplishes his goal of morphing into an edgier artist and embedding his name in R&B/Soul History. The Ordinary Joe Blog gives “Evolver” a “B” for high energy and talented collaborations, and soothing soulful rhythms and lyrics.

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"If You're Out There" Debuts

Ne-Yo – Year of the Gentleman – Ne-Yo

An Ordinary Joe here, with the Ordinary Joe Blog’s official review of Ne-Yo’s third studio album “Year of the Gentleman”

The album opens with Billboard Hot 100’s #7 track, first single “Closer”, “I just can’t stop/ I just can’t stop…” It seems Ne-yo is on a roll; being one of the biggest writers in the R&B World and moving full throttle with his own career.

Lyrical content, albeit the luxury it is in today’s musical world, can always be expected from Ne-Yo. From the lyrics of Rihanna’s “Unfaithful” and “Take a Bow” to recently married, Jennifer Hudson’s “Spotlight” Ne-Yo’s skill is evident. He saves a lot of it for himself, but the reserves ran a little low with the line, “Be your boyfriend til the song goes on” from third track “Single”.

In his shout-out to hard working women, “Miss Independent”, Ne-Yo twists it up being the man inspired by and attracted to a woman of power. In this song, Ne-Yo shows how he’s gotten to this point, through hard work and good songs. “She Got Her Own” is a solid track, somewhat of a follow up to “Miss Independent”, it sings the praises of women who are doing it big solo, and don’t look to their man for a buck. It features Jamie Foxx and a verse from Rapper Fabolous. The new video clip also features appearances by Estelle and Eve.

After the list of “dump me pleases” Ne-Yo recites in “Why Does She Stay”, to answer his question, she probably stays only because you’re Ne-Yo and that’s about it. The talks that Ne-Yo hasn’t changed up much in this album are true however. Personally, I prefer artists to evolve over time, but Ne-yo can’t be blamed for the wide acceptance of his sound and very active career over the past few years.

All in all, The Ordinary Joe Blog gives “Year of the Gentleman” a “B”, for a good addition to your trophy case of love songs and anthems and Ne-Yo’s trophy case of pretty good albums.

John Legend - If You're Out There - John Legend

“We're the generation / We can't afford to wait / The future started yesterday and we're already late”

Good isn’t it? Billboard News calls it an “anthemic call-to-action and evocation of human potential”. John Legend will debut his song “If You’re Out There” tonight (Aug. 25) at the Democratic National Convention at Denver’s Pepsi Center. The song was produced by Trevor Horn and Devo Springsteen. It features the Agape Choir, and will be available via www.my.barackobama.com/johnlegend after the performance but can be purchased now via i-Tunes.

The song is taken from John Legend’s upcoming studio album “Evolver” due for release on October 28, through Columbia Records. “Green Light” (feat. Andree 3000) the album’s first single and video clip have already been released.