Macy Gray: The Trouble With Being Myself

Reviewed by RUSSELL BAILLIE

(Herald Rating: * * * * )

Macy Gray's previous album The Id might have waved its funky freak flag high but it sure didn't have many songs of the quality that made her debut On How Life Is so memorable.

This, her third, largely puts that right with a more considered collection and more down-tempo tunes. Though it still has the funk, especially on the sunny opener When I See You (which recalls the Jacksons' I Want You Back) or the electro-wobble underneath She Don't Write Songs.

Gray's black humour remains intact (see the babysitter-murdering tale of My Fondest Childhood Memories) too. There's some forgettable filler along the way (Beck's turn on helping It Ain't the Money doesn't help much) but it's in the soul-balladry of She Ain't Right For You and Speechless that Macy and that voice of hers shine brightest.

(Epic)