Macy Gray - The Trouble with Being Myself
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Free Music Notes for The Trouble with Being Myself
Free Music Review: the trouble with this cd is ....
Hit: 4 Stars
nothing. the cd is an absolute masterpiece, but has to use some getting used too. it's classic macy gray, her voice is still as strong as ever and her songs are as kookie and fun as b4. though her first single flopped "when i see you" is one of the best songs on the cd. The cd is full of her fun songs and her classic souful and yet truthful ballads. her lyrics remain truthful and ernest as well. they all tell a story that is worth telling.
1. when i see you (5/5)
2. it ain't the money (4/5)
3. she ain't right for you (5/5)
4. things that made me change (4/5)
5. come together (5/5)
6. she don't write songs about you (5/5)
7. jesus for a day (5/5)
8. my fondest childhood memories (4/5)
9. happiness (3/5)
10. speechless (5/5)
11. screamin'
every now and then
i can say that the cd is worth all your money. the ballads tend to be a tad bit stronger than the upbeat songs, but yet the upbeat songs remain good.
overall ... it's a macy cd .. and yes all of macy's cd so far have been good cds. especially the under-selling sophmore effort "id" ... macy is a true star and will be around for a long time ... if god lets her and people decide to tart liking real music again ...
Free Music Review: Weird, but WONDERFUL...
Hit: 5 Stars
I think this is how one could describe Macy Gray in general. With her 'Billie Holliday meets Donald Duck' voice, Macy is certainly one of the most unique artists in music history (which is really what makes her so stunning). Her music is, like always, set to catchy (and rather refreshing) 70's style groove and soul. Say what you want, but where Macy never fails is knowing how to make people move and groove. Lyrically, Macy is as outrageous as ever with wacky and totally unique lyrics that nobody else would probably ever dream of creating. Yet again, this is what makes Macy so enjoyable. There is no way to classify her, and I hope she keeps it that way. So far, this album hasn't received a whole lot of attention overseas (where it was released in May). In North America, I'm not sure things will be very different. Without a strong presence on the singles charts, this album will probably not see big numbers (unfortunately). Regardless, this cd contains a lot of hit worthy material.Free Music Review: Absolutely no 'Trouble' here!
Hit: 5 Stars
OK, I'll admit it, I've been under Macy's funky spell since her 1999 debut 'On How Life Is.' Her wacky persona, fabulous fashion sense, ever amusing (and versatile) hair, and of course her inspiringly original voice have had me awaiting her albums like no other artist of late. What truly fascinates me about Macy Gray is the manner by which she can croon a swelling, hear-throbbing ballad far better and more convincingly than any of her octave-conquering chanteuses contemporaries and predecessors. Her voice is a wonder of its own and not because it is strong in the traditional sense, but for her personalization: you feel each song is exclusively yours. Perhaps it most closely relates to that of Louis Armstrong or Billie Holiday, but only in moderation. Such originality eludes most of the R&B mass-sellers of today. It's not even just that. Macy also has an uncanny use of substantial phrasing (she had a degree in screen writing from USC) and outstandingly witty songwriting skills. Her debut was in league of its own. Her tragically underrated sophomore effort. 'The Id.' was far more indulgent -- in every sense. It floated like an audio version of 1969 in Technicolor, lush with strings, horns, wah-wah guitars, exotic beats, and genre-defying tunes. It was, in essence, a party album that didn't fare well for its high-concept nature (or, as I believe, because it was released right after the events of 9/11/01). Traces of both past works are present in her third effort (the album in question). Gray has, as she declared in an Entertainment Weekly article, grown up quite a bit expressing with a strong anti-drug message and sorrow for the recent loss of her father. And the album shows it. It straddles between her last two pieces and represents the best of both.Musically, 'Trouble' dabs in a refreshing repertoire of styles: funky jazz ('Every Now and Then' is superb, more jazzy than any of today's glossy, ballyhooed 'jazz artists'), swooning balladry, cutting-edge/dance funk, '70's-Style soul (complete with full orchestrations, guitars, and horns), substantial hip-hop, opera (she splices operatic background vocals in a tango tune -- try it for yourself -- and it works), piano-based rock, -- all tinged with Macy's undeniable blues sensibility. 'The Trouble With Being Myself' is, simply put, the best 'R&B and soul' album of the year thus far. Those of you who are distant Gray fans (or skeptics for that matter), should find it at the very least enjoyable. Still, even with this release, no one can be certain of exactly where Gray is heading in the future... right now, though, her music will continue making listeners laugh, cry, and dance from here until (in her words) "the part never ends/ And all the angels are my friends."
Track Reviews:
1. When I See You: (the issued first single) extremely catchy, funky, and irresistibly danceable. A tad heavy though. A-
2. It Ain't the Money: Features a rapping Pharoahe Monch & a bumbling Beck, wackily creative counter to the greedy rap scene, creative lyrics, probably the most experimental in the set. B+
3. She Ain't Right for You: (the second single) a bluesy, swelling, string-accented ballad, simply beautiful and never mundane or bland. A
4. Things That Make Me Change: sweetly confections, thoughtful lyrics, nice, light groove. A-
5. Come Together: (w/ invisible back-ups by Floetry) One of (if not) the best tracks, celebratory brass. peaceful words, irresistibly positive and undeniably confections. Headphone heaven! A+
6. She Don't Write Songs About You: insanely catchy tune and intelligent lyrics; Macy seems to be denouncing the traditional role of women in relationships. A-
7. Jesus For a Day: beautifully arranged and smart tune about having your way -- not really religious. B+
8. My Fondest Childhood Memories: there's always 1 track on Macy albums that explores disturbing but humorous black humor. As with the other albums, these songs tend to be the most musically & theatrically interesting. Great samba-tango flare (with opera!). A
9. Happiness: a real feel-good, slow jamming tune. Includes back-ups by her kids (one of which is named Happy). B+
10. Speechless: not very defined, but relaxing groove, and well crafted. B
11. Screamin': a fabulous piano-based tune that becomes a sort of sing along (what could be a whole other song). A nice listen, though seems a bit disjointed stylistically. A-
12. Every Know and Then: fabulous funk-jazz... divine. A+
In summation, this is an album that belongs on a true cross-genre music lover. Its only two shortfalls are 1. that (even with a 49 minute running time) there isn't more of it 2. some of the rawness and originality in her previous two albums are lacking here; despite the beautiful arrangements, it's just too, too much. Otherwise, for all the negativity that has been barraged upon her, Macy Gray proves she has staying power, substance, and an extraordinarily music-making ability. Love or hate her, you gotta give her good credit for this one. Marvelous!
Free Music Review: Her sound finally pulls together!
Hit: 5 Stars
don't get me wrong, i love macy gray, and her last 2 albums were great, but her last one (the id) was just way too all over the place. both of her last 2 albums were kinda scattered in terms of the style. her new disk just has a really good flow to it, in a way the other 2 didn't. the big standout song (for me) is "it ain't the money" featuring beck. they're both so eccentric and misunderstood, and they pretty much made the funkiest song on the album together!Free Music Review: Macy Hits The Mark
Hit: 4 Stars
'The Trouble With Being Myself' picks up where 'The Id' left off. The new CD is consistently soulful, creative and fresh. Macy sounds great and the retro "neo-soul" that she's made her trademark is all over this disc. Stand-out tracks inlcude "When I See You", which you would have to be dead to not get a lift from, "Things That Made Me Change" has a great psychadelic aura about it, and "She Ain't Right For You" proves again that Macy makes an excellent balladier. If you like Macy, you'll love this CD.