Amazon.co.uk Review
Macy Gray's third album,
The Trouble with Being Myself, finds
TLC producer Dallas Austin at the studio helm. Cutting a lush, uplifting path with silky smooth harmonies, infectious funk-fuelled rhythms and "that" voice, it takes sex, death, relationships, happiness and more sex as its themes du jour. The death of her stepfather during recording has certainly left its mark.
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
CD Description
'The Trouble With Being Myself' is the third album from R&Bvocalist Macy Gray and the follow up to her 2001 LP 'The ID'. It features a guest appearance from Beck on the track 'ItAin't The Money'. 'When I See You' was the first single to be taken from the album.