The ID

Macy Gray | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 18, 2001)
• Original Release Date: 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00005NZWZ
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (106 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #173,597 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Miss Gray...Take a Bow, November 6, 2001

By 

Miss P "Reviews for the People" (Dirty Jerz) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The ID (Audio CD)

Ms. Gray...Take a Bow
The sophomore album is never an easy obstacle to overcome, especially when the debut album in question is the successful, multi-platinum "On How Life Is" (OHLI). Macy Gray rose to the surface of a talent pool made up of boy bands, teen temptresses and Seattle leftovers with a sound unlike anything we've ever heard. With a unique sound that is part child, part 2-pack-day-smoker, Ms. Gray knocks our socks off once again.

The first track, "Relating to a Psychopath" could just as easily fit on Beck's "Odelay" as it does on "The Id". It's a psychedelic rock and R&B jam that sets the entire mood for the cd. "Sexual Revolution" is a 60's song for a millennium crowd--sassy, sexy and completely groove-worthy. The stand out "Sweet Baby," featuring Erykah Badu is reminiscent of Gray's first album, but with much richer orchestration. "Gimme All Your Lovin...," although lyrically disturbing, is such an incredible song musically, that you can overlook the rather morbid lyrics. "Don't Come Around" is a jazzy blues ballad in which you can't help but hear Aretha's influence. "Freak Like Me" and "Harry" are the album's guilty pleasures--pop songs that are so well produced that you forget that they're pop songs. And finally, one of my personal favorites, "Forgiveness," which is smooth like butter and an all-around beautiful song. I only wish that it ended the album.

There are a few "odd" choices, for lack of a better word. I could definitely do without "Hey Young World," even though it's cool to see Macy do a song with Slick Rick. The other complete Miss is the freaky "Oblivion," which is part Cabaret, part Fiddler on the Roof and part Carnival Sideshow. It honestly has no place on this otherwise flawless album, and takes my rating down to 4 stars.

Buy this cd with an open mind and don't expect to hear a boring carbon copy of "On How Life Is" or you'll be disappointed. "The Id" stands on it's own as a unique and worthwhile sophomore effort. Miss Gray...Take a bow.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sophomore slump not for Macy, September 20, 2001

By 

Chris (Singapore) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The ID (Audio CD)

Hot on the heels of 'On How Life Is' comes Macy Gray's 2nd album, 'The Id'. And like its predecessor, this album is an impressive mix of catchy melodies, freaky lyrics and Macy's unique voice.

While there really isn't anything that screams MASSIVE HIT like I Try did, there are a large number of standout tracks on the disc, with a good blend of mid and uptempo songs. The highlights on the album include the somewhat rock-y 'Relating to a Psychopath', the jaunty and fun 'Sexual Revolution' and the tender 'Sweet Baby'. However my favourite track is definitely the bizaare circus/carnival tune that is 'Oblivion', which includes sparkling lyrical gems like 'I eat my marimbas' and 'I tingle when I sing/Bling bling bling ting ting ting'.

I could have done without the instrumental 'Blowin' Up Your Speakers' though, which threatens to do just that with its weird cacophony of noises.

However, on the whole, this is a great album and is definitely worth spending your money on.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Follow Up!, September 20, 2001

By 

A* (New York, N.Y. United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The ID (Audio CD)

Macy Gray did more than just avoid the sophomore jinx she went in a totaly different direction! The Id has to be the most complex and musically focused album of the year so far! The main talent Gray has in her favor is her voice. Raspy, untamed and soulfull Gray's voice is like Billy Holliday's after the worst breakup of her life! The soul in Gray's voice is almost unmatched by any other vocalist in her genre save Badu, Stone, and Arie! The album flows in such an easy on uncontrolled atmosphere that she covers every disapointment from love to therapy. The tracks "Sweet Baby" and "Relating To A Psychopath" are the standouts from an excellent disc. If you don't like her voice you should buy the disc and try to fall for it or you have missed some of the best R&B of the past few decades. With her passion fueled freshman disc and her mind numbing follow up Gray has built a library that is already bound for history.