The Id

Macy Gray

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 18, 2001)
• Original Release Date: September 18, 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00005NZWZ
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (103 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #27,453 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com's Best of 2001

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

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 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

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.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Shhheeee'sss Baaaacckkkkk!, June 10, 2002

By	Mac Donald (Azusa, Ca United States) - See all my reviews

Though Macy Gray's public image may cause many to believe she is a little wacky, in her newest album, "The Id," she reaffirms what is going on inside of her head.

With this new music, Gray admits to being a "psychopath," but she remains unafraid to "express what is taboo" in her.
By delving into her own instinctual subconscious, Gray has created an album filled with records that stretch her talents as an artist. Each track is not only funky and original but also enjoyable individually.

Gray's debut album, "On How Life Is," established her as a leader of the soul singer revival, but since then the industry has seen an influx of youthful, soulful singer/songwriters.
With this new album, Gray shows why she still rules the genre.
She experiments with inventive beats and explicit lyrics, composing each song with accuracy, while demonstrating a skill that is a cut above the others.

She expresses in songs "Gimme All You Lovin' or I Will Kill You," and "My Nutmeg Phantasy" why the title of her album suits her Freudian indulgences.

Gray sings: "It's amazing what a gun to the head can do/My baby loves me now as hard as he can/My methods may be suspect/But you gotta get love however you can!" She fills the tracks with brassy horns, organs and other orchestrations, creating a new sound in her music.

With each song composed uniquely separate from the rest, Gray seems, at times, as though she is allowing the album to go somewhere it does not belong, but then she pulls it back to its center with a simple lyrical phrase.

In the disco inspired "Sexual Revolution," she sings: "Everybody break it/Every rule, constriction/My papa told me to be home by now/but my party has just begun."
T
he track "Sweet Baby" proves again that she has an extensive ability to write ballads. Erykah Badu sings back up on this record, but Gray is the spotlight singer as she wails, "Sweet, sweet baby/life is crazy/but there's one thing I am sure of/that I'm your lady/always baby/and I'll love you now and ever."

"The Id" showcases Gray's carefree and optimistic perspectives on life and love, and many of the songs are steeped in free love sensibilities.

Gray's voice may not suit everyone's liking, but her introspective lyrics and musical ability should be appreciated for their individuality in an industry that is oversaturated with manufactured sounds and voices.

5 of 5 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

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.