The Id

Let's get past Macy's gravelly voice and eccentric behavior...once you're able to put that aside, you will realize that Macy Gray, the artist and songwriter, is incredibly talented. Remember, even when Billie Holiday sounded her worst, she was at her best, and the same goes for Macy!!This CD, THE ID, once again features wonderfully tight, eclectic material as Macy's first CD ON HOW LIFE IS did. She is able to blend all types of music (funk, soul, blues, rock, folk, jazz, reggae) into something really refreshing. Other R&B acts could learn a lot from Macy's diversity instead of sticking with the same old tired beats and samples. There is more of a concentration on old school R&B mixed with funk and rock than was present on the previous CD. Also featured are the outstanding background vocal assistance of fellow neo-soul sistas Angie Stone (teamed up with hip-hop artist Mos Def on "My Nutmeg Phantasy"), Erykah Badu (the first single from the CD, "Sweet Baby", even though you have to really listen for Erykah's voice) and Sunshine Anderson ("Don't Come Around", sort of the kind of slow jam that Prince would do in his hey day) on several cuts and even does a decent reworking of Slick Rick's hip-hop classic "Hey Young World (Part II)". Rick also makes a guest appearance on that song.Just like the tune "I've Committed Murder" from ON HOW LIFE IS raised a few eyebrows with its subject matter, so will the deliciously funky but dangerous "Give Me All Your Lovin' Or I Will Kill You". Equally good is the disco-inspired "Sexual Revolution". The hidden track "Shed" uses an old Pointer Sisters bassline (from "Yes We Can Can") that will definitely get you up and moving. In truth, just about everything here is superb. The only track that could have been left out was the instrumental "Blowin' Up Your Speakers", which isn't music at all, just a lot of feedback coming through your speakers. But if you liked Macy's first CD, I guarantee that you will love this one as well. A must have.

Sure, Macy Gray doesn't have a traditional singing voice...but in terms of making an impact, this album gets all five stars. She has lots of POVs with lots of attitude, but with just enough restraint to not get annoying. The songs show an incredible variety, from the partying drive of Sexual Revolution, to contemplative swing on Sweet Baby, to theatrical on Oblivion. No one can say Macy has taken one single idea and just pushed it as far as she could: She's taken every idea imaginable and pushed different generes in different direction with both excellent song writing and superb production / multi-layering...I mean, I think I hear a tuba and certainly violins on the intro to Sexual Revolution (listen to the background details on this one). By taking lots of musical risks, Macy Gray comes up with uniquely personal, high-impact romp across her Id landscape. Join her ride soon.

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!

Rarely can an artist top a break-out album (see Michael Jackson's "Thriller" or Janet Jackson's "Rhythm Nation"), especially if it's a break-out debut. Macy Gray's "The Id" is not, unhappily, the exception. When she wore the dress at the VMAs advertising the release, I leaped for joy because I was, and remain so enthralled by "On How Life Is." I received "The Id" just the other day, and am just a bit disappointed. While you can hardly call the tracks ordinary, she seems to be drifting slightly and at the same time staying the same, if that's possible. The music and lyrics are not as good as the first album, but she does remain true to the first album's themes. On the upside, she still has one of the most unique sounds in the industry, and I will listen to the CD over and over again just because of that fact. Some albums grow on you, especially if you have respect for the artist, and this is one of those. As a matter of fact, if I'm truthful with myself, I was not so enthralled by "On How Life Is" on the first listen. So buy it...you'll enjoy it perhaps by the third listen. I'm sure I will. But I don't today.

I think Macy Gray is a wonderful artist and always manages to come up with interesting, highly enjoyable music. With "The Id," she basically takes what worked with "On How Life Is" and brings it up a level. This album is definitely more strange, but it is completely enjoyable the whole way through (although "blowin up your speakers" is an annoying non-vocal track that thankfully is over quickly). "relating to a psychopath," "sexual revolution," "sweet baby," "gimme all your lovin'. . .," and "don't come around" are my favorites, but i usually just listen to the whole thing all the way through. This is no cookie-cutter album--this is a musical exerience that is hard to forget. I highly recommend this album and I hope Macy Gray inpires many more artists to experiment with their music.

It's good.

One of the greatest Soul singers. Just like I remembered when I first herd it

From the pounding opening beat of the first track, "relating to a psychopath," I was hooked. There are definitely some weird clunkers on this album, but the great songs -- especially Psychopath, Boo, Sexual Revolution -- are get up and dance good. I listen in the car, at work, at home and on the train. It's always good.