Macy Gray - The Id

In 1999, Macy Gray's On How Life Is filled a void that no one knew existed. The eccentric singer's unusual voice--more sand than gravel--and her eyebrow-raising lyrics consumed a massive space that was accessible but also controversial. After all the hype surrounding her just-add-water superstardom, the daunting question her follow-up, The Id, must answer is how well she can weather the abundant exposure. Over the course of Gray's second album, the novelty of her vocal style is somewhat tempered by her limited range. That said, what she lacks in octave-conquering she and producer Rick Rubin more than make up for in creativity. The album's many eclectic singles stand strong. "Psychopath" opens the disc with a wall-of-sound block party; it's a funky, celebratory track, well endowed with twangy surf guitar, glimpses of theremin, a ragga-inspired bass line, and lots of goodies floating in the song's highest register (backing vocals, splashes of cymbals, piano). Gray's album also benefits from a host of R&B and hip-hop guests, including Slick Rick, Sunshine Anderson, Angie Stone, Mos Def, and most notably Erykah Badu, who supports Gray on "Sweet Baby," a moving uptempo ballad that easily rivals the best that '70s soul has to offer. Once again, her lyrical sensibility is gripping, vacillating from whimsical ("Oblivion") to disturbing ("Gimme All Your Lovin' or I Will Kill You"). In all, Macy Gray continues to wave her R&B freak flag while digging deep in the trenches of the vividly real. --Beth Massa Amazon.com\'s Best of 2001

 The Id
I was late to purchase this CD. I started my Macy collection with Big (5 stars) and decided to keep it going. I'm glad I did. I really like this CD. I didn't care for Macy's voice when she first came out with I Try, but another reveiwer mentioned that after a while it can grow on you. And it did just that. Macy is soulful and I love her style and raspy delivery. Also her lyrics are entertaining, different, funny at times.

Fave tracks:
* Gimme All Your Lovin or I Will Kill You
* Don't Come Around
* Relating to a Psychopath
* Harry
* Shed (Hidden track)

I think this CD is definitely worth picking up, especially at the price. I am thoroughly pleased! Go Macy~!

Happy listening! March 24, 2008

 P-Funk continued
I hear George Clinton's Parliament and Prince, maybe even a touch of the Beatles here - but most of all I hear Macy Gray. Respect Sister!!! You're real. Funky, Jazzy, Souly, Bluesy - and cheesy (but the best cheese). June 26, 2007

 2.5 stars
Well... at least the album has a fitting title.

In the liner notes, 'the id' is defined as the actions one does before thinking. That perfectly describes this album. It sounds jumbled and very spur of the moment. She made this album before thinking about how bad it was and how it would ruin the reputation she established with her debut. Almost every song is a half-baked idea that wears out its welcome at the 2 minute mark. They are funky, I'll give them that, but otherwise this is not worth the buy. I would suggest her debut or her third album. Both are much better. November 24, 2006

 Genious!
This CD is genious. It was so underated and unexcepted because pop radio refused to play it. Everyone thought Macy was a pop princess after the success of her first CD and single that won grammys. But this woman is one of the most creative artists of our time. On this release she is crazy all over the board. It's funny, it's fun, it's catchy and everyone has thought the things she's stood up to sing about even if they don't want to admit it. When you listen to this CD, come at it with an angle of fun! Music is here to inspire and play with. Enjoy it, like Macy does! November 10, 2006

 The Id
When I first heard Macy Gray's voice, I feared that the mass public would jump on her bandwagon because of her unique vocal styling then dump her by her second disc. I truly enjoyed her debut disc for the more soulful vibe but this one definitely had to grow on me because it exposed a lot more of her vocal weaknesses than her debut did. But what she lacks in vocal prowess was more than made up for in the funky production of the overall disc.

My favorite tracks are: SWEET BABY, DON'T COME AROUND, FORGIVENESS, SEXUAL REVOLUTION & RELATING TO A PSYCHOPATH.

Two other songs that I enjoyed are: HEY YOUNG WORLD PT II & HARRY (love the organs & overall music production).

I like the comparison between Macy & Billie Holliday because both have very unique singing voices which may take the uninitiated a little time to truly appreciate but once you give yourself a chance & time to listen, I think you'll like more than you dislike. December 27, 2005

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