The Trouble With Being Myself

On "My Fondest Childhood Memories" she sings of being 10 and catching the babysitter "sexing" her father, then at 12 a plumber "plunging" her mother, while on "Screamin'" she admits to "Crying because I miss my father" before hollering "All my troubles go away when you are on top of me".

Unusual collaborators include Beck, who provides guitar and (uncredited) backing vocals on the marvellous Prince-meets-rap splendour of "It Ain't the Money". "Happiness" finds Macy's kids (one of whom is named Happy) lending vocal support. Unhinged and swinging freely, The Trouble with Being Myself trembles with harmonious heartbreak, seething soul and furious funk. Following the mixed reception of her second album, she now seems musically on track, emotionally out there and up for the long haul. --Christopher Barrett

Now she's back and better than ever. Her sound has matured and even her vocal styling has improved. Macy Gray's trademark voice, which has been described as "Marge Simpson on helium" has a certain vulnerability in it which can, at times, make all the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end. So what can you expect from this album? Sex, drugs, murder, happiness, love, some more sex and a whole lot more.

The first single off the album "When I See You" is a funk-filled dancefloor filler that will have you tapping your feet within seconds. The first ballad on the album, "She Ain't Right For You," is in the same vein as "I Try" and is catchy and will have you singing along without you even realising it. Track eight, "My Fondest Childhood Memories," is truly a work of genius, both musically and lyrically. This song tells the story of how when Macy was younger she found her babysitter "sexing with my father" and the plumber "plunging my mother". She then proceeds to kill the plumber and the babysitter in order to secure her parents marital happiness. Only on a Macy Gray album could you find a song like this. On "Screaming" Macy confesses to "crying cause I miss my father" and goes on to say "all of my troubles they go away when you're on top of me loving me down".

Other stand out tracks on the album include the Al Green-inspired "Speechless" the funky love song "She Don't Write Songs About You" and the politically enfused "It Ain't The Money". Collaborations on this album include Pharoahe Monch, Beck, and even her three children. If you like Macy Gray you'll love this album, if you hate Macy Gray you'll love this album. "The Trouble With Being Myself" will surely help to secure Ms. Gray's position as a Diva in the making.


Deserves to be higher up the charts   June 18, 2003
 3 out of 3 found this review helpful

When this came out in Hong Kong I rushed to buy it and was then mistified as to why it wasn't higher up the charts in the UK where Ms Gray has always been popular. The album is totally worth the price from the blast of funk and sunshine of "when I see you", the electic "it aint the money" with Beck lending support, to the smile inducing "Jesus for a Day" which has to be regarded as a Macy Gray signature tune. This won't disappoint.


'hey macy, we love you'   May 22, 2003
 1 out of 1 found this review helpful

if your into macy gray then this will not disapoint like her last album disapointed me, just could not get into it!! she is great live and only she could sing these mad songs. Her songs usually tell a crazy story, like killing her babysitter after she had slept with her father, hopefully not a true story!! It would be hard to beat her first album but this brings you close, in macy's very unique style xxx


Chill Out Tunes   May 12, 2003
 1 out of 1 found this review helpful

Macy is back with her usual collection of swinging tunes. The songs are brilliant for a chilled out relaxing night, and if you liked her last two albums, then this is a dead cert. Tracks 3 and 8 are the quickest to get into, but there's no need to skip tracks on this CD.