Macy Gray: On How Life Is
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Macy
Gray don’t know shit about how
life is. If you’ve ever seen or heard her in an interview, you just wanna
rip your hair out in big clumps. My main complaint is that she just doesn’t
make much sense. But then again, what she does know is how to put it down
musically. I was dragged kicking and screaming to listen to Macy’s debut
(and recently Grammy nominated) album On How Life Is. Nevermind
and all the bull-shit comparisons to the likes of Billy Holiday, Gray’s
got her own thing goin’ on. I didn’t think much of the over-hyped first
release "Do Something" but the second single "I Try" hit me where
it hurts. It’s been getting some airplay here in the states and the buzz-worthy
video is in rotation on MTV. Overseas, (the UK especially) Gray’s been
tearing up the charts.
That doesn’t surprise me, they always manage to pick the good stuff over
there before we get to it.
On "I Try", Gray’s vocals swim effortlessly
over this soulful track. If she reminds me of anyone, it’s probably Al
Green. Yeah, I know. 
Al
ain’t no Lady Day. All of the songs on "On How Life Is" were written by
Gray. Her band complements her vocals and adds a richness to the album
that is immediately reminiscent of her R’nB and soul predecessors but
also makes it clear that there is a fresh, new ingredient. That ingredient
is Gray’s voice. Can’t say that
I’ve
ever heard anything like it except in the wee hours of the morning after
being up all night smoking and drinking, but the voice rescues Gray and
On How Life Is combines soul and romance without losing her street
credibility. In "I’ve Committed Murder" Gray speaks of having killed her
boyfriend’s boss, "a mean old bitch", and getting away with it. But the
track is so damn tight, you have to listen closely and pinch yourself
to be reminded that you’re singing along to a song about a homicide. Macy’s
lyrics creep up on you with catchy, infectious choruses that draw you
in. No ground is left uncovered as Gray bares her soul with an admirable
honestly in such tracks as "Still" where she sings about an abusive lover.
Unlike some other angry artists of our time, Gray doesn’t dwell on the
abuse but tackles the psychological bond of the relationship by stating
that theoretically, she knows it’s not right, but the man still has a
hold on her. Powerful stuff. On "A Moment To Myself" she advises others
to "quit bitchin’ ‘bout how don’t nobody really love you". She speaks
of spreading "rubber-lovin’" that will easily bounce back once you share
it with others.
Overall, "On How Life Is" bears a positive message of universal love and could’ve easily been recorded in the late 60’s early 70’s if not for the scratching of the turntable. Hopefully, this’ll be a new trend in music. Personally, I’m over the Meredith "Bitch" Brooks, Paula Cole's, and Alanis Morrisette’s of the world. So, in the final analysis who cares if Macy can’t put a sentence together in an interview? Maybe she’s just fuckin’ with us all…At least she can sing.
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