Macy Gray - Big

For a while there, the helium-voiced Macy Gray seemed to be coasting instead of crashing down the walls between funk, rock, and R&B the way scads of breathless music pundits once said she would. That was before will.i.am and a handful of other skillful knob-twisters entered her life. Now, multi-genre destruction and utter domination once again seem possible: Big, as its title suggests, is a huge record--bold in all the right places and subdued where it needs to be; scruffy around the edges but slick below the surface; at once nonchalant and reckless to the bone. Gray, in her way, is a vocal Timbaland--it's tempting to think she's too imposing to make a random-seeming hook-up work, but she stretches her singular gift around pretty much any collaborator a producer can throw at her, and with style to burn. On Big, those tossed on for the challenge include Natalie Cole, who lights up opener "Finally Made Me Happy"; Nas, who gives up the grit likably on "Ghetto Love"; and Fergie, who coos efficiently throughout "Glad You're Here." As vibes go, the one given off here is cool, casual, and slightly crazy--all Macy, in other words. She does her thing up right, and she does it Big.--Tammy La Gorce Amazon.com

Glad She's Here

This being my first Macy Gray album, I cannot compare to previous albums. Nonetheless, I am thoroughly pleased with the entire CD! I cannot believe this album didn't blow up. It's excellent. I don't know if it was marketing because seems like I saw Macy on EVERY iPod billboard/commercial/ad during that time.

I am so glad I picked this up. I look forward to hearing more form Macy. I'm waiting to receive her other 3 CDs. Whether they're similar or different at least she has her own sound.

Fave tracks:
* Finally Made Me Happy
* Shoo Be Doo
* One For Me
* Okay
* What I Gotta Do
* Honorable Mention - Strange Behavior (funny and I like it)

Happy listening! March 5, 2008

Deconstructing Macy Gray and Big

I have to say that one thing that bothers me about the user reviews I'm seeing online is a complete lack of understanding of the history of Macy's music. I read one review where the user complained about The Id and The Trouble with Being Myself as being copies of each other, while inferior to On How Life Is.

There is one string of common truth throughout these reviews in that there are similarities between albums - but those conclusions are based on superficial observations.

If you deconstruct all of the albums, there are several long-running parallels - one of the major reasons that I'm so pleased with all of the albums. This is not a process of carbon copying - this is a process of creating and sustaining artistic motifs that are very unique and creative. These motifs comprise the qualities that distinguish Macy Gray from ALL of her contemporaries.

We have appearances of song types that become her motifs... for example, we have I've Committed Murder, Gimme all Your Lovin or I Will Kill You, My Fondest Childhood Memories, and Strange Behavior appearing on the four albums respectively. People - this is a motif - this is a consistent delivery from Macy to her listeners. This motif of killing folks as extreme acts of love and/or desperation is a comedic element - it's funny. It's not supposed to be taken literally (as was a critique from one reader on Strange Behavior).

We also have other such motifs as I Can't Wait to Meetchu, My Nutmeg Fantasy, Every Now and Then, and Everybody - across the four albums respectively. Listen to the songs... they all appeal to that same universal "I can jam to this" feeling. They generally have upbeat themes that are inspiring and make you feel good when you listen to them. Plus, the lyrics are all positive and about having a good time - and here's an important message from Macy - be yourself

Other motifs include baladesque songs such as Still, Please Don't Come Around, She Ain't Right For You, and Glad You're Here. Not of the exact same message, but invoking sentimental emotions from the listener.

Now - in light of just these brief analogies, I want to emphasize the factors about what has happened to Macy Gray that really makes me sad as a devoted fan. I firmly believe that sales screeched to a halt because The Id was released one week after 9/11. If the first album had 3.5 million sales (no reference, I saw that on the web), and the Id had only .5 million sales, the 9/11 argument seems reasonable. After all, it's not like there weren't any hits off of The Id - it's just that the country was preoccupied. Time passed by, and the The Trouble with Being Myself, which was a perfectly brilliant album, chocked full of new material (very catchy, yet original - no good reason for insufficient marketing, airplay, etc.) was overshadowed by the hiatus between albums, and the declined sales from the The Id.

Flash forward to Big - another awesome album, somewhat subverted with all the collaborations which did nothing to help promote the album (evidently), and again, we have the problem of lousy marketing, NO airplay, no nothing. Why? I honestly don't get it... I can't help but track these recurring, unfounded gripes about The Id and The Trouble With Being Myself - almost as if to say that Big is a day late and a dollar short, albeit Macy's "best work to date."

I would agree that Big has many awesome qualities and is a terrific album, especially if you compare it to other modern releases... but I don't think it's the best work to date, and I think all of her "fans" and collaborating artists have abandoned her. I think it's mostly a lack of effort more than anything - effort to look out for concert dates (and buy tickets to them), effort to peek in for new releases, effort to look for her in the box office (she's a great actor and should be in more movies), and so on. I don't think that some of the Big collaborations necessarily hurt the quality of each song, but I do think that those appearances were made in order for her record label to better market the material, emphasizing will.i.am, Timberlake, Nas, Fergie, etc.... But I have not seen those individuals in the maintstream talking about the album, promoting sales, or even doing inclusive tours - why? I don't know... maybe they don't want to get too original, floating off into music "Oblivion." Maybe those cuts are too far away from cookie cutter... It's just really strange.

So rather than post garbage about comparisons to previous albums (really just showing a lack of artistic/creative understanding), why not make more effort to support an artist who we all love? I saw the Big concert when it toured through Baltimore - it was awesome, as were the Brand New Heavies, the opening act (another underrated talent). My only complaint about the show was that more people should have been there. And they would have been if even one local station played just one of the singles released - Finally Made Me Happy on the airwaves for a couple weeks would have been sufficient to pack the house. January 26, 2008

Love This Album!!!

I've never been what you would call a "fan" of Macy Gray, but I absolutely love this album. It's been rotating in my CD player for a while now and I am still lovin' it like the first week I bought it. There are some nice tracks on the album and her unique voice compliments the sound and lyrics quite nicely. If I had to pick a favorite (kind of difficult since there are several that I am fond of) it would be "What I Gotta Do". What a wonderful tribute to her children and to working mothers. Kudos Macy! November 16, 2007

Macy!

Back, with a vengence. Completely caught me off guard, the level of excellence. Welcome back from your snooze Macy. I knew THIS was in there. October 31, 2007

A Must Have!

I'm new to Macy Gray, and what an introduction this was! I've enjoyed the entire CD, and I absolutely love her voice. September 28, 2007

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