Ready (Trey Songz)

Ready is Trey Songz's third studio album that was released on August 31, 2009 by Songbook and distributed by Atlantic Records.
==Tracklisting==
#Panty Droppa (Intro)	
#Neighbors Know My Name	
#I Invented Sex	
#I Need A Girl	
#One Love	
#Does He Do It	
#Say Aah	
#Lol :-) (featuring Gucci Mane and Soulja Boy Tell 'Em)
#Ready To Make Luv	
#Jupiter Love	
#Be Where You Are	
#Successful (featuring Drake)	
#Black Roses	
#Love Lost	
#Hollalude	
#Holla If Ya Need Me	
#Yo Side Of The Bed
==Chart Performance==
"Ready" debuted at #3 on the Billboard 200 and #2 on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, with first-week sales of 131,000 copies in the United States.
It was certified platinum by the RIAA in June of 2014.
==Critical Reception==
"Ready" received mostly positive reviews from professional critics, which received an aggregate score of 67 out of 100. The score, indicating "generally favorable reviews" was based on six reviews from website Metacritic.
The album received many comparisons to the work of R&B artist R. Kelly, while several critics noted it as inconsistent. 
David Jeffries of Allmusic said that "Even at a whopping 17 like-minded tracks, all-night lovers wouldn't be caught dead complaining about how overly long it all is", commenting that Ready "is as entertaining and frivolous as a one-night stand should be."
Ken Capobianco of The Boston Globe said that Songz had developed as a vocalist stating his voice was more "elastic" and he used his falsetto "judiciously." He commended tracks like "Be Where You Are," and "Love Lost", commenting that "tracks like that show that he is indeed ready for the next step."
Andrew Rennie of Now said, "slight deviations from R&B’s classic formula allow Trey Songz wiggle room to play with his multi-octave voice. This offering sets him apart from other acts and may secure his spot in the canon of bedroom crooners."
Glenn Gamboa of Newsday said that after making his name for singing hooks on rap songs, that he "shows his smooth R&B vocals can hold the spotlight all on their own."
Rolling Stone gave the album 3½ out of 5 stars and wrote that Songz "takes cues from R. Kelly, slyly mocking the self-parodying excesses of boudoir R&B while supplying the utilitarian goods: the sumptuous vocal harmonies and sultry beats upon which long nights beneath ceiling mirrors depend".
A writer for USA Today said the album reflects his broad appeal, and that Songz's proves "he's comfortable as a rogue or romantic. Even though the review pointed out that "he occasionally falls back on booty-call clichés," it did point out that "his song craft shines on the edgy "Black Roses" and regretful "Love Lost.
Jon Caramanica of The New York Times said, " 'Ready' is one of the year’s most promising R&B albums, and a curious one at that", commenting, "the results are bawdy but never lecherous; sometimes all his enthusiastic bedroom talk has an air of childlike goofiness to it, as if he were thrilled to get away with boasting so freely."
Sean Fennesssy of The Village Voice called the album "one of the year's best..."
Despite viewing it imperfect and noting Songz had not mastered the balancing act "between being a horny boy and ladies' man", Mark Edward Nero of About.com said it was the best album of Songz's career, commenting, "Trey takes a big step toward establishing himself as an A-list singer." 
Nero also commended consistent vocals as a plus, and complimented the eclecticity of the songs, saying no tracks are unlistenable.
Tyler Lewis of PopMatters said that Songz continued his tradition of inconsistent albums, commenting that the album is best is when it departs from the R. Kelly template. Lewis recommended that the album needed to be trimmed down and included with some from his mixtape "Anticipation" for what could have been, "the black pop record of the year."
In his consumer guide for MSN Music, critic Robert Christgau gave to the album a dud rating, indicating "a bad record whose details rarely merit further thought. At the upper level it may merely be overrated, disappointing, or dull. Down below it may be contemptible".
Ajitpaul Mangat of Tiny Mix Tapes called the album often "generic" and "monotonous" noting how Songz's work on freestyles and work ethic proves how the album could be better.
Mangat did overall compliment the album, "While Ready is far from a perfect album, it seems Trey is learning how to inspirit his original works with the charm and inventiveness found in his freestyles and covers."
Category:2000s albums
Category:R&B