Wildly eclectic pop-R&B singer Macy Gray hasn't been on top of the music world for over a decade, but on her sixth studio album, she continues to make it known that she won't go away quietly, if at all. Covered, which was released in the U.S. March 27, 2012, is a collection of remakes of rock, pop and indie music songs, by Macy, but with each being transformed to the point that they bear little resemblance to the originals. The concept may seem like a transparent bid by an aging artist to create a buzz and remain relevant, a la the late Johnny Cash's American Recordings projects, but Covered actually turns out to be much more than that. It's obvious by listening to the album that this is a labor of love, and that Macy handpicked the songs herself and for her own reasons. And that personal investment makes the album shine brighter than it would otherwise.
Radically Different
At one point in her career, Grammy-winning singer Macy Gray was on top of the music industry, but in the time since her late 1990s/early 2000s heyday, she's been treated as something of a novelty act. Among the reasons why are her quirky, individualistic style and odd, non-traditional singing voice which sometimes has difficulty carrying a tune. And that voice is indeed a drawback on some songs on Covered, specifically, the first single, her cover of the Eurythmics song "Here Comes the Rain," which is unfortunately the album's opening track. The second song, a version of Radiohead's "Creep" (which could practically be Macy's personal anthem) is a bit better, but the two downbeat songs initially give the impression that this is a dark, almost Gothic album. But Macy's always been known for her humorous quirkiness, and that begins to manifest itself on the first of a series of skits where she receives "tips" from friends on how to rejuvenate her career. During the first skit, comedic actor JB Smoove suggests she begins performing with a sword-shaped microphone stand in order to make her audiences nervous; in another skit, Nicole Scherzinger recommends that Macy incorporate elements of superstar vocalists Britney Spears, Alanis Morissette and Shakira into her singing style. Macy's reaction: "Do you have any, like, good suggestions?"
Among the musical highlights are her versions of Kanye West's "Love Lockdown," My Chemical Romance's "Teenagers," and heavy metal band Metallica's "Nothing Else Matters," all of which have radically different arrangements than the originals, but still manage to be pretty impressive in their own odd little way. Macy Gray has never claimed to the best best vocalist and on this album she doesn't try to be. What she does do here though, is sing some of her favorite songs with a generally carefree, fun-loving manner that virtually makes up for the lack of vocal precision.
Among the musical highlights are her versions of Kanye West's "Love Lockdown," My Chemical Romance's "Teenagers," and heavy metal band Metallica's "Nothing Else Matters," all of which have radically different arrangements than the originals, but still manage to be pretty impressive in their own odd little way. Macy Gray has never claimed to the best best vocalist and on this album she doesn't try to be. What she does do here though, is sing some of her favorite songs with a generally carefree, fun-loving manner that virtually makes up for the lack of vocal precision.