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| venue =
| venue =
| studio =
| studio =
| genre = {{flatlist|
| genre =
*[[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]
*[[Mainstream Urban|urban]]
*[[pop music|pop]]
}}
| length = 60:51
| length = 60:51
| label = [[Jive Records|Jive]]
| label = [[Jive Records|Jive]]
Line 25: Line 21:
*[[WyldCard|Kendrick Dean]]
*[[WyldCard|Kendrick Dean]]
*[[Sean Garrett]]
*[[Sean Garrett]]
*[[Ricky "Ric Rude" Lewis]]
*Ricky "Ric Rude" Lewis
*[[Warren Felder|Oak]]
*[[Warren Felder|Oak]]
*Mark Pitts
*Mark Pitts
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| single1date = June 13, 2006
| single1date = June 13, 2006
| single2 = [[If I Was Your Man]]
| single2 = [[If I Was Your Man]]
| single2date = April 24, 2007
| single2date = July 13, 2007
| single3 = [[My Love (Joe song)|My Love]]
| single3date = September 8, 2007
}}
}}
}}
}}


'''''Ain't Nothin' Like Me''''' is the sixth studio album by American recording artist [[Joe (singer)|Joe]], released by [[Jive Records]] after several delays on April 24, 2007 in the United States. The singer worked with several producers on the album, including [[Bryan Michael Cox]], [[Tim & Bob]], [[Cool & Dre]], [[The Underdogs (duo)|The Underdogs]], and [[Sean Garrett]]; rappers [[Papoose (rapper)|Papoose]], [[Nas]], [[Fabolous]], [[Young Buck]], and [[Tony Yayo]] appear as guest vocalists.
'''''Ain't Nothin' Like Me''''' is the sixth studio album by American recording artist [[Joe (singer)|Joe]], released by [[Jive Records]] after several delays on April 24, 2007 in the United States. A breakaway from previous projects, Joe co-wrote five songs on the album but left most of the writing and producing to his collaborators, including [[Bryan Michael Cox]] and [[Tank (American singer)|Tank]] as well as production teams [[Tim & Bob]], [[Cool & Dre]], [[Stargate (production team)|Stargate]], and [[The Underdogs (duo)|The Underdogs]]. Rappers [[Papoose (rapper)|Papoose]], [[Nas]], [[Fabolous]], [[Young Buck]], and [[Tony Yayo]] appear as guest vocalists.


Upon release, ''Ain't Nothin' Like Me'' received generally positive reviews from music critics. it debuted at number two on the US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] and on top of the [[Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums]] chart, selling about 98,000 copies in its first week, while marking his highest-charting album since ''[[My Name Is Joe]]'', which reached the same position of both charts.
Upon release, ''Ain't Nothin' Like Me'' received generally positive reviews from music critics. It debuted at number two on the US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] and on top of the [[Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums]] chart, selling 98,000 copies in its first week, while marking his highest-charting album since ''[[My Name Is Joe (album)|My Name Is Joe]]'' (2000), which had reached the same position of both charts. In support of the album, three singles were released, including lead single "[[Where You At (Joe song)|Where You At]]" and the [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs]] top 20 hit "[[If I Was Your Man]]."


==Background==
==Background==
In 2003, Joe released his fifth studio album ''[[And Then...|And Then]]''. Produced by Joe's labelmate [[R. Kelly]] along with [[Roy "Royalty" Hamilton]], [[Kevin "Shekspere" Briggs]], [[Carvin & Ivan]], and others, the album reached number 26 on the US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] albums chart, selling 121,000 copies in its first week of release. It produced the R&B top thirty single "[[More & More (Joe song)|More & More]]" and "[[Ride wit U]]" and was eventually [[gold certification|certified gold]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA).<ref>[http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1052411/lavigne-remains-no-1-as-joe-debuts-high Lavigne Remains No. 1 As Joe Debuts High<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
In 2003, Joe released his fifth studio album ''[[And Then...|And Then]]''. Produced by Joe's labelmate [[R. Kelly]] along with [[Roy "Royalty" Hamilton]], [[Kevin "Shekspere" Briggs]], [[Carvin & Ivan]], and others, the album reached number 26 on the US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] albums chart, selling 121,000 copies in its first week of release. It produced the R&B top thirty single "[[More & More (Joe song)|More & More]]" and "[[Ride wit U]]" and was eventually [[gold certification|certified gold]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA).<ref>[http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1052411/lavigne-remains-no-1-as-joe-debuts-high Lavigne Remains No. 1 As Joe Debuts High<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>


Soon after, Joe started work on his sixth full-length album. Aiming for a new direction, while maintaining the romantic, gospel-influenced R&B style mixed in hip-hop elements, the singer collaborated with a different range of writers and producers to create the bulk of the album, including [[Bryan Michael Cox]], [[Cool & Dre]], [[Sean Garrett]], The Smith Brothers, and [[Tim & Bob]].<ref name="singeruni">{{cite web |first=Dale|last=Kawashima|url=http://www.singeruniverse.com/joe123.htm |title=Hit R&B/Pop Artist Joe Discusses The Making Of His Album, Ain't Nothin' Like Me|publisher=Singeruniverse.com |accessdate=2012-08-15}}</ref> Although he co-wrote five songs on the album, Joe decided to leave most of the writing and producing to his collaborators: “I look at what the record ultimately needs [...]It’s about making a great record, not about how many songs I have on the album. A lot of artists get into writing too much, and the album starts to sound the same. I like working with several different producers who can bring their own sound to the record. It gives the album more variety and dimension.”<ref name="singeruni"/> The singer named “If I Was Your Man” and “It’s Me” as two of his favorite songs on the album; both tracks were written by the Norwegian duo [[Stargate (production team)|Stargate]]. Commenting on their work, Joe elaborated, that "it was a blast working with [them]. They are doing something great for R&B, creating strong midtempo and uptempo songs and tracks. There’s normally a lot of slow ballads in R&B, but they bring in more uptempo grooves and sounds.”<ref name="singeruni"/>
Soon after, Joe started work on his sixth full-length album. Aiming for a new direction, while maintaining the romantic, gospel-influenced R&B style mixed in hip-hop elements, the singer collaborated with a different range of writers and producers to create the bulk of the album, including [[Bryan Michael Cox]], [[Cool & Dre]], [[Sean Garrett]], The Smith Brothers, and [[Tim & Bob]].<ref name="singeruni">{{cite web |first=Dale|last=Kawashima|url=http://www.singeruniverse.com/joe123.htm |title=Hit R&B/Pop Artist Joe Discusses The Making Of His Album, Ain't Nothin' Like Me|publisher=Singeruniverse.com |accessdate=2012-08-15}}</ref> Although he co-wrote five songs on the album, Joe decided to leave most of the writing and producing to his collaborators: “I look at what the record ultimately needs [...] It’s about making a great record, not about how many songs I have on the album. A lot of artists get into writing too much, and the album starts to sound the same. I like working with several different producers who can bring their own sound to the record. It gives the album more variety and dimension.”<ref name="singeruni"/>
In an interview with ''[[Jet (magazine)|Jet]]'', Jeo further noted: "The only thing different on this album is the tempo. The rhythm of the songs; it's more uptempo than the past albums I put out."<ref>{{cite web|first=Clarence|last=Waldron|title=R&B Singer Joe Returns With Hit CD; Tours With Brian McKnight|work=[[Jet (magazine)|Jet]]|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8DoDAAAAMBAJ|date=May 28, 2007|access-date=July 11, 2023}}</ref> The singer named “If I Was Your Man” and “It’s Me” as two of his favorite songs on the album; both tracks were written by the Norwegian duo [[Stargate (production team)|Stargate]]. Commenting on their work, Joe elaborated, that "it was a blast working with [them]. They are doing something great for R&B, creating strong midtempo and uptempo songs and tracks. There’s normally a lot of slow ballads in R&B, but they bring in more uptempo grooves and sounds.”<ref name="singeruni"/>


==Critical reception==
==Critical reception==
{{Album ratings
{{Album ratings
| rev1 = [[About.com]]
| rev1 = [[About.com]]
| rev1Score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="about">{{cite web|first=Mark Edward|last=Nero|title=A Solid Sixth|work=[[About.com]] Guide|url=http://randb.about.com/od/reviews/fr/NothingLikeMe.htm |date=2012-10-16|accessdate=2012-10-16}}</ref>
| rev1Score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="about">{{cite web|first=Mark Edward|last=Nero|title=Joe, "Ain't Nothing Like Me": A Solid Sixth|work=[[About.com]] Guide|url=http://randb.about.com/od/reviews/fr/NothingLikeMe.htm |date=2012-10-16|accessdate=July 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070703194527/http://randb.about.com/od/reviews/fr/NothingLikeMe.htm|archive-date=July 3, 2007}}</ref>
| rev2 = [[Allmusic]]
| rev2 = [[AllMusic]]
| rev2Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="allmusic">{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r1032565}}</ref>
| rev2Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="allmusic">{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r1032565}}</ref>
| rev3 = ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''
| rev3 = ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''
| rev3Score = B−<ref name="EW Review">{{cite web |url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20035836,00.html|title=Music Review — Ain't Nothin' Like Me (2007) |publisher=[[Entertainment Weekly]] / [[CNN]] |last=Vozick-Levinson |first=Simon |date=2007-04-20 |accessdate=2014-10-04}}</ref>
| rev3Score = B−<ref name="EW Review">{{cite web |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001041247/https://ew.com/article/2007/04/20/aint-nothin-me/|title=Music Review — Ain't Nothin' Like Me (2007) |publisher=[[Entertainment Weekly]] / [[CNN]] |last=Vozick-Levinson |first=Simon |date=April 20, 2007 |accessdate=July 3, 2007}}</ref>
| rev4 = ''[[People (magazine)|People]]''
| rev4 = ''[[People (magazine)|People]]''
| rev4Score = {{Rating|2|4}}<ref name="People Review">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20062147,00.html|title=Picks and Pans Review: Quick Cuts |magazine=[[People (magazine)|People]] |first=Chuck|last1=Arnold|first2=Ralph|last2=Novak |date=2007-04-20 |accessdate=2014-10-04}}</ref>
| rev4Score = {{Rating|2|4}}<ref name="People Review">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20062147,00.html|title=Picks and Pans Review: Quick Cuts |magazine=[[People (magazine)|People]] |first1=Chuck|last1=Arnold|first2=Ralph|last2=Novak |date=May 7, 2007|accessdate=July 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006120716/https://people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20062147,00.html|archive-date=October 6, 2014}}</ref>
| rev5 = ''[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]]''
| rev5 = ''[[PopMatters]]''
| rev5Score = (positive)<ref name="Vibe Review">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qyYEAAAAMBAJ&q=%22Ain%27t+Nothin%27+Like+Me+%22&pg=PA132|title=Music Revolutions |publisher=[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]] |last= Checkoway|first=Laura |date=2007-06-01 |accessdate=2014-10-04}}</ref>
| rev5Score = 6/10<ref name="popmatters">{{cite web|url=https://www.popmatters.com/joe-aint-nothin-like-me-2496240448.html|title=Joe: Aint Nothin Like Me |magazine=[[PopMatters]] |first1=Mike |last1=Joseph |date=June 5, 2007 |accessdate=July 11, 2023}}</ref>
| rev6 =
| rev6Score =
}}
}}


Upon release, ''Ain't Nothin' Like Me'' received generally positive reviews from music critics. Andy Kellman from [[Allmusic]] gave the album four stars out of five and wrote that "contemporary as ever, Joe seeks production and songwriting assistance from a number of ubiquitous heavyweights and up-and-comers [...] While a very basic name, a lack of flashiness, and sizeable gaps of inactivity have only gotten in the way of his popularity, Joe has maintained relevant and reliable since he debuted."<ref name="allmusic"/>
Upon release, ''Ain't Nothin' Like Me'' received generally positive reviews from music critics. Andy Kellman from [[AllMusic]] wrote that "contemporary as ever, Joe seeks production and songwriting assistance from a number of ubiquitous heavyweights and up-and-comers [...] While a very basic name, a lack of flashiness, and sizeable gaps of inactivity have only gotten in the way of his popularity, Joe has maintained relevant and reliable since he debuted."<ref name="allmusic"/>
Mark Edward Nero, writing for [[About.com]], felt that with ''Ain't Nothin' Like Me'' the singer "doesn't vary much from the tone and image he established for himself on previous albums; there's the same emotional ballads, the same sexy bedroom music, the same obligatory guest appearances by rappers. Joe's approach on the album seems to be if it ain't broke, don't fix it. And the approach works; ''Ain't Nothing Like Me'' is a solid, if unspectacular, album that should be appealing to the women and men who are fans of Joe's earlier work." He rated the album three and a half stars out of five.<ref name="about"/>
Mark Edward Nero, writing for [[About.com]], felt that with ''Ain't Nothin' Like Me'' the singer "doesn't vary much from the tone and image he established for himself on previous albums; there's the same emotional ballads, the same sexy bedroom music, the same obligatory guest appearances by rappers. Joe's approach on the album seems to be if it ain't broke, don't fix it. And the approach works; ''Ain't Nothing Like Me'' is a solid, if unspectacular, album that should be appealing to the women and men who are fans of Joe's earlier work."<ref name="about"/>


Laura Checkoway from ''[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]]'' felt that the "album, though heavy on cheese, is surprisingly pleasant, especially as there is a deficit right now of true grown-man R&B. Joe stays young with A-list production and rap cameos.<ref name="Vibe Review"/> Less empathic ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''{{'}}s Simon Vozick-Levinson wrote that the "album is most entertaining when [[New York City]] [[MC]]s like [[Nas]] and [[Papoose]] drop by for lively guest spots. Joe's solo ballads, however, make the disc's title seem like a cruel joke: His voice is consistently easy on the ears, sure, but contemporary R&B is full of also-rans who sound exactly like him."<ref name="EW Review"/> ''[[People (magazine)|People]]'' magazine wrote that "the title of Joe's latest CD seems to attest to his singular abilities as a loveman. But on these slow jams and hip-hoppish midtempo numbers he doesn't sound much different from fellow R&B [[Romeo]]s like [[R. Kelly]] ("Go Hard"), [[Brian McKnight]] ("Feel for You") and [[Usher (entertainer)|Usher]] ("Let's Just Do It")." The magazine rated the album two out of four stars.<ref name="People Review"/> DJ Booth gave it four spins.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://djbooth.net/albums/review/joe-aint-nothin-like-me |title=Ain't Nothin' Like Me Reviews |access-date=2016-07-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161001182624/http://djbooth.net/albums/review/joe-aint-nothin-like-me |archive-date=2016-10-01 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Laura Checkoway from ''[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]]'' felt that the "album, though heavy on cheese, is surprisingly pleasant, especially as there is a deficit right now of true grown-man R&B. Joe stays young with A-list production and rap cameos."<ref name="Vibe Review">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qyYEAAAAMBAJ&q=%22Ain%27t+Nothin%27+Like+Me+%22&pg=PA132|title=Music Revolutions |publisher=[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]] |last= Checkoway|first=Laura |date=April 24, 2007|accessdate=July 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071101021822/http://www.vibe.com/music/revolutions/2007/04/joe_aint_nothin/|archive-date=November 1, 2007}}</ref> Less empathic ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''{{'}}s Simon Vozick-Levinson wrote that the "album is most entertaining when [[New York City]] [[MC]]s like [[Nas]] and [[Papoose]] drop by for lively guest spots. Joe's solo ballads, however, make the disc's title seem like a cruel joke: His voice is consistently easy on the ears, sure, but contemporary R&B is full of also-rans who sound exactly like him."<ref name="EW Review"/> ''[[People (magazine)|People]]'' magazine wrote that "the title of Joe's latest CD seems to attest to his singular abilities as a loveman. But on these slow jams and hip-hoppish midtempo numbers he doesn't sound much different from fellow R&B [[Romeo]]s like [[R. Kelly]] ("Go Hard"), [[Brian McKnight]] ("Feel for You") and [[Usher (entertainer)|Usher]] ("Let's Just Do It")." The magazine rated the album two out of four stars.<ref name="People Review"/> ''[[New York Times]]'' critic Kelfa Sanneh cited "Just Relax" and "Feel for You" as highlights and wrote: "Joe is best when he's whiny."<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/07/arts/music/07choi.html |title=New CDs |work=[[New York Times]]|date=May 7, 2007|access-date=July 11, 2016 }}</ref> DJ Booth gave the album four out of five spins.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://djbooth.net/albums/review/joe-aint-nothin-like-me |title=Ain't Nothin' Like Me Reviews |access-date=July 11, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161001182624/http://djbooth.net/albums/review/joe-aint-nothin-like-me |archive-date=October 1, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>


==Commercial performance==
==Commercial performance==
Following its release, it debuted at number two on the US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] and on top of the [[Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums]] chart, selling about 98,000 copies in its first week.<ref name="bb1">{{cite web|first=Katie |last=Hasty|title=Lavigne Remains No. 1 As Joe Debuts High|work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1052411/lavigne-remains-no-1-as-joe-debuts-high |date=2007-07-02|accessdate=2012-10-16}}</ref> It marked his highest-charting album since ''[[My Name Is Joe]]'', which reached the same position of both charts.<ref name="bb1"/> As of July 11, 2007, it has sold 224,823 copies in the United States.<ref name="bb1"/>
Following its release, it debuted at number two on the US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] and on top of the [[Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums]] chart, selling about 98,000 copies in its first week.<ref name="bb1">{{cite magazine|first=Katie |last=Hasty|title=Lavigne Remains No. 1 As Joe Debuts High|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1052411/lavigne-remains-no-1-as-joe-debuts-high |date=2007-07-02|accessdate=2012-10-16}}</ref> It marked his highest-charting album since ''[[My Name Is Joe]]'', which reached the same position of both charts.<ref name="bb1"/> By July 2007, it had sold 224,823 copies in the United States.<ref name="bb1"/>


==Track listing==
==Track listing==
{{tracklist
{{tracklist
| headline = ''Ain't Nothin' Like Me'' track listing
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| extra_column = Producer(s)

| title1 = Get to Know Me
| title1 = Get to Know Me
| note1 = featuring [[Nas (rapper)|Nas]]
| note1 = featuring [[Nas (rapper)|Nas]]
| writer1 = {{flat list|
| writer1 = {{flat list|
*[[Joe (singer)|Joe L. Thomas]]
*[[Sixto Diaz Rodriguez]]
*[[Sixto Diaz Rodriguez]]
*[[Nasir Jones]]
*[[Nasir Jones]]
*[[Tim & Bob|Tim Kelley]]
*[[Tim & Bob|Tim Kelley]]
*[[Large Professor|Paul Mitchell]]
*[[Large Professor|Paul Mitchell]]
*Joe L. Thomas
*[[Tim & Bob|Bob Robinson]]
*[[Tim & Bob|Bob Robinson]]
}}
}}
Line 106: Line 106:
| title3 = If I Want Her
| title3 = If I Want Her
| writer3 = {{flat list|
| writer3 = {{flat list|
*[[Ricky "Ric Rude" Lewis|Ricky Lewis]]
*Ricky Lewis
*[[Sean Garrett]]
*[[Sean Garrett]]
}}
}}
| extra3 = {{flat list|
| extra3 = {{flat list|
*[[Ricky "Ric Rude" Lewis|Ric Rude]]
*Ric Rude
*Garrett{{ref|a|[a]}}
*Garrett{{ref|a|[a]}}
}}
}}
| length3 = 3:50
| length3 = 3:50
| title4 = Where You At?
| title4 = [[Where You At (Joe song)|Where You At]]
| writer4 = {{flat list|
| writer4 = {{flat list|
*Warren Felder
*[[Oak Felder|Warren Felder]]
*Garrett
*Garrett
}}
}}
| note4 = featuring [[Papoose (rapper)|Papoose]]
| note4 = featuring [[Papoose (rapper)|Papoose]]
| extra4 = {{flat list|
| extra4 = {{flat list|
*Oak
*[[Oak Felder|Oak]]
*Garrett
*Garrett
}}
}}
| length4 = 4:15
| length4 = 4:15
| title5 = My Love
| title5 = [[My Love (Joe song)|My Love]]
| writer5 = {{flat list|
| writer5 = {{flat list|
*Gregory Gerard Curtis
*Gregory Gerard Curtis
Line 218: Line 218:
}}
}}
| extra13 = {{flat list|
| extra13 = {{flat list|
*Cox
*[[Bryan Michael Cox]]
*Thomas
*Thomas
}}
}}
Line 233: Line 233:
}}
}}
{{tracklist
{{tracklist
| collapsed = yes
| headline = [[Circuit City]] exclusive bonus
| headline = [[Circuit City]] exclusive bonus
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| title15 = That's What I Like
| title15 = That's What I Like
| writer15 = {{hlist|Thomas|Kelley|Robinson}}
| extra15 = [[Tim & Bob]]
| extra15 = [[Tim & Bob]]
| length15 = 4:15
| length15 = 4:15
}}
}}
{{tracklist
{{tracklist
| collapsed = yes
| headline = UK bonus track
| headline = UK bonus track
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| title16 = Run It Back
| title16 = Run It Back
| writer16 = {{flat list|
| extra16 = Cox
*Cox
*Austin
*Dean
}}
| extra16 = {{flat list|
*Cox
*Dean{{ref|a|[a]}}
}}
| length16 = 4:34
| length16 = 4:34
}}
}}
;Notes
'''Notes'''
* <sup>{{note|a|[a]}}</sup> signifies a co-producer
* <sup>{{note|a|[a]}}</sup> signifies a co-producer
'''Sampling credits'''

;Sampling credits
* "Get to Know Me" samples from "You're Da Man" by [[Nas (rapper)|Nas]] and "Sugar Man" by [[Sixto Rodriguez]].
* "Get to Know Me" samples from "You're Da Man" by [[Nas (rapper)|Nas]] and "Sugar Man" by [[Sixto Rodriguez]].
* "Just Relax" contains samples from "[[Electric Relaxation]]" by [[A Tribe Called Quest]] & "Mystic Brew" by Ronald Foster.
* "Just Relax" contains samples from "[[Electric Relaxation]]" by [[A Tribe Called Quest]] & "Mystic Brew" by Ronald Foster.
Line 262: Line 268:
===Weekly charts===
===Weekly charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ Weekly chart performance for ''Ain't Nothin' Like Me''
|-
|-
! scope="col"| Chart (2007)
! scope="col"| Chart (2007)
Line 270: Line 277:
{{album chart|Netherlands|60|M|title=Joe – Ain't Nothin' Like Me|url=http://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Joe&titel=Ain%27t+Nothin%27+Like+Me&cat=a|publisher=dutchcharts.nl. Hung Medien|accessdate=December 20, 2013|artist=Joe|album=Ain't Nothin' Like Me|rowheader=true}}
{{album chart|Netherlands|60|M|title=Joe – Ain't Nothin' Like Me|url=http://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Joe&titel=Ain%27t+Nothin%27+Like+Me&cat=a|publisher=dutchcharts.nl. Hung Medien|accessdate=December 20, 2013|artist=Joe|album=Ain't Nothin' Like Me|rowheader=true}}
|-
|-
{{album chart|UK|25|artist=Joe|album=Ain't Nothin' Like Me |date=2007-05-05|rowheader=true|accessdate=July 10, 2018}}
{{album chart|UK2|25|date=20070429|rowheader=true|accessdate=July 10, 2018}}
|-
|-
{{album chart|Billboard200|2|artist=Joe|artistid=1496519|rowheader=true|accessdate=December 19, 2014}}
{{album chart|UKR&B|2|date=20070429|rowheader=true|accessdate=March 14, 2023}}
|-
|-
{{album chart|BillboardRandBHipHop|1|artist=Joe|artistid=1496519|rowheader=true|accessdate=December 19, 2014}}
{{album chart|Billboard200|2|artist=Joe|rowheader=true|accessdate=December 19, 2014}}
|-
|-
{{album chart|BillboardRandBHipHop|1|artist=Joe|rowheader=true|accessdate=December 19, 2014}}
|}
|}

{{col-2}}
{{col-2}}

=== Year-end charts ===
=== Year-end charts ===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+ Year-end chart performance for ''Ain't Nothin' Like Me''
|-
|-
|-
! scope="col"| Chart (2007)
! scope="col"| Chart (2007)
! scope="col"| Position
! scope="col"| Position
|-
|-
! scope="row"| US [[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums]] (''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine|title=R&B/Hip-Hop Albums: Year End 2007|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2007/top-r-and-b-hip-hop-albums|accessdate=July 10, 2018}}</ref>
! scope="row"| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|title=R&B/Hip-Hop Albums: Year End 2007|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2007/top-r-and-b-hip-hop-albums|accessdate=July 10, 2018}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|50
| style="text-align:center;"|50
|-
|}
|}
{{col-end}}
{{col-end}}

Latest revision as of 23:06, 17 December 2024

Ain't Nothin' Like Me
Studio album by
ReleasedApril 24, 2007 (2007-04-24)
Length60:51
LabelJive
Producer
Joe chronology
And Then ...
(2003)
Ain't Nothin' Like Me
(2007)
Joe Thomas, New Man
(2008)
Singles from Ain't Nothing Like Me
  1. "Where You At"
    Released: June 13, 2006
  2. "If I Was Your Man"
    Released: July 13, 2007
  3. "My Love"
    Released: September 8, 2007

Ain't Nothin' Like Me is the sixth studio album by American recording artist Joe, released by Jive Records after several delays on April 24, 2007 in the United States. A breakaway from previous projects, Joe co-wrote five songs on the album but left most of the writing and producing to his collaborators, including Bryan Michael Cox and Tank as well as production teams Tim & Bob, Cool & Dre, Stargate, and The Underdogs. Rappers Papoose, Nas, Fabolous, Young Buck, and Tony Yayo appear as guest vocalists.

Upon release, Ain't Nothin' Like Me received generally positive reviews from music critics. It debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200 and on top of the Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart, selling 98,000 copies in its first week, while marking his highest-charting album since My Name Is Joe (2000), which had reached the same position of both charts. In support of the album, three singles were released, including lead single "Where You At" and the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs top 20 hit "If I Was Your Man."

Background

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In 2003, Joe released his fifth studio album And Then. Produced by Joe's labelmate R. Kelly along with Roy "Royalty" Hamilton, Kevin "Shekspere" Briggs, Carvin & Ivan, and others, the album reached number 26 on the US Billboard 200 albums chart, selling 121,000 copies in its first week of release. It produced the R&B top thirty single "More & More" and "Ride wit U" and was eventually certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[1]

Soon after, Joe started work on his sixth full-length album. Aiming for a new direction, while maintaining the romantic, gospel-influenced R&B style mixed in hip-hop elements, the singer collaborated with a different range of writers and producers to create the bulk of the album, including Bryan Michael Cox, Cool & Dre, Sean Garrett, The Smith Brothers, and Tim & Bob.[2] Although he co-wrote five songs on the album, Joe decided to leave most of the writing and producing to his collaborators: “I look at what the record ultimately needs [...] It’s about making a great record, not about how many songs I have on the album. A lot of artists get into writing too much, and the album starts to sound the same. I like working with several different producers who can bring their own sound to the record. It gives the album more variety and dimension.”[2]

In an interview with Jet, Jeo further noted: "The only thing different on this album is the tempo. The rhythm of the songs; it's more uptempo than the past albums I put out."[3] The singer named “If I Was Your Man” and “It’s Me” as two of his favorite songs on the album; both tracks were written by the Norwegian duo Stargate. Commenting on their work, Joe elaborated, that "it was a blast working with [them]. They are doing something great for R&B, creating strong midtempo and uptempo songs and tracks. There’s normally a lot of slow ballads in R&B, but they bring in more uptempo grooves and sounds.”[2]

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
About.com[4]
AllMusic[5]
Entertainment WeeklyB−[6]
People[7]
PopMatters6/10[8]

Upon release, Ain't Nothin' Like Me received generally positive reviews from music critics. Andy Kellman from AllMusic wrote that "contemporary as ever, Joe seeks production and songwriting assistance from a number of ubiquitous heavyweights and up-and-comers [...] While a very basic name, a lack of flashiness, and sizeable gaps of inactivity have only gotten in the way of his popularity, Joe has maintained relevant and reliable since he debuted."[5] Mark Edward Nero, writing for About.com, felt that with Ain't Nothin' Like Me the singer "doesn't vary much from the tone and image he established for himself on previous albums; there's the same emotional ballads, the same sexy bedroom music, the same obligatory guest appearances by rappers. Joe's approach on the album seems to be if it ain't broke, don't fix it. And the approach works; Ain't Nothing Like Me is a solid, if unspectacular, album that should be appealing to the women and men who are fans of Joe's earlier work."[4]

Laura Checkoway from Vibe felt that the "album, though heavy on cheese, is surprisingly pleasant, especially as there is a deficit right now of true grown-man R&B. Joe stays young with A-list production and rap cameos."[9] Less empathic Entertainment Weekly's Simon Vozick-Levinson wrote that the "album is most entertaining when New York City MCs like Nas and Papoose drop by for lively guest spots. Joe's solo ballads, however, make the disc's title seem like a cruel joke: His voice is consistently easy on the ears, sure, but contemporary R&B is full of also-rans who sound exactly like him."[6] People magazine wrote that "the title of Joe's latest CD seems to attest to his singular abilities as a loveman. But on these slow jams and hip-hoppish midtempo numbers he doesn't sound much different from fellow R&B Romeos like R. Kelly ("Go Hard"), Brian McKnight ("Feel for You") and Usher ("Let's Just Do It")." The magazine rated the album two out of four stars.[7] New York Times critic Kelfa Sanneh cited "Just Relax" and "Feel for You" as highlights and wrote: "Joe is best when he's whiny."[10] DJ Booth gave the album four out of five spins.[11]

Commercial performance

[edit]

Following its release, it debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200 and on top of the Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart, selling about 98,000 copies in its first week.[12] It marked his highest-charting album since My Name Is Joe, which reached the same position of both charts.[12] By July 2007, it had sold 224,823 copies in the United States.[12]

Track listing

[edit]
Ain't Nothin' Like Me track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Get to Know Me" (featuring Nas)Tim & Bob4:03
2."If I Was Your Man"
Stargate3:52
3."If I Want Her"
  • Ric Rude
  • Garrett[a]
3:50
4."Where You At" (featuring Papoose)
4:15
5."My Love"
  • Cox
  • Curtis
  • Dean[a]
4:04
6."Go Hard"
3:39
7."Ain't Nothin' Like Me" (featuring Young Buck & Tony Yayo)3:47
8."It's Me"
  • Hermansen
  • Jackson
  • Eriksen
Stargate3:45
9."Let's Just Do It" (featuring Fabolous)Cool & Dre4:19
10."Feel for You"
  • Cox
  • Austin
  • Dean
4:06
11."Just Relax" (featuring Dre of Cool & Dre)
  • Cool & Dre
  • Mark Pitts[a]
3:46
12."Love Is Just a Game"Shannon Douglas JonesSmith Bros.3:16
13."You Should Know Me"
  • Michele Williams
  • Thomas
  • Jolyon W. Skinner
  • Cox
  • Thomas
5:15
14."Life of the Party"
  • Thomas
  • Skinner
  • Joshua Thompson
  • Thomas
4:30
Circuit City exclusive bonus
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
15."That's What I Like"
  • Thomas
  • Kelley
  • Robinson
Tim & Bob4:15
UK bonus track
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
16."Run It Back"
  • Cox
  • Austin
  • Dean
4:34

Notes

  • ^[a] signifies a co-producer

Sampling credits

Charts

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Lavigne Remains No. 1 As Joe Debuts High
  2. ^ a b c Kawashima, Dale. "Hit R&B/Pop Artist Joe Discusses The Making Of His Album, Ain't Nothin' Like Me". Singeruniverse.com. Retrieved 2012-08-15.
  3. ^ Waldron, Clarence (May 28, 2007). "R&B Singer Joe Returns With Hit CD; Tours With Brian McKnight". Jet. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  4. ^ a b Nero, Mark Edward (2012-10-16). "Joe, "Ain't Nothing Like Me": A Solid Sixth". About.com Guide. Archived from the original on July 3, 2007. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  5. ^ a b Ain't Nothin' Like Me at AllMusic
  6. ^ a b Vozick-Levinson, Simon (April 20, 2007). "Music Review — Ain't Nothin' Like Me (2007)". Entertainment Weekly / CNN. Retrieved July 3, 2007.
  7. ^ a b Arnold, Chuck; Novak, Ralph (May 7, 2007). "Picks and Pans Review: Quick Cuts". People. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  8. ^ Joseph, Mike (June 5, 2007). "Joe: Aint Nothin Like Me". PopMatters. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  9. ^ Checkoway, Laura (April 24, 2007). Music Revolutions. Vibe. Archived from the original on November 1, 2007. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  10. ^ "New CDs". New York Times. May 7, 2007. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
  11. ^ "Ain't Nothin' Like Me Reviews". Archived from the original on October 1, 2016. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
  12. ^ a b c Hasty, Katie (2007-07-02). "Lavigne Remains No. 1 As Joe Debuts High". Billboard. Retrieved 2012-10-16.
  13. ^ "Joe – Ain't Nothin' Like Me". lescharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved April 12, 2014.
  14. ^ "Joe – Ain't Nothin' Like Me". dutchcharts.nl. Hung Medien. Retrieved December 20, 2013.
  15. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  16. ^ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  17. ^ "Joe Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved December 19, 2014.
  18. ^ "Joe Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved December 19, 2014.
  19. ^ "R&B/Hip-Hop Albums: Year End 2007". Billboard. Retrieved July 10, 2018.