- Critic score
- Publication
- By date
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will.i.am... does push [Big] beyond her Sly Stone safety zone. [Apr 2007, p.111]
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The lyrics -- which seesaw manically between exhortations to a no-goodnik to get out and purrings about being glad to have a lover by her side -- won't get nominated for any poetry awards, but Gray makes her case on the strength of her nutty soul charms.
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A supreme return to form.
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Entertainment WeeklyMuch here is either boring or forced. [30 Mar 2007, p.71]
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Gray's latest is an engaging, soulful effort from a singer who is proving herself to be more of a career artist than a hit-maker.
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Despite the big name producer and big time contributors, Gray has somehow achieved the not insignificant feat of delivering an altogether average record.
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"Big" is a nice return to form for Gray. Too bad it runs out of ideas before it runs out of tracks.
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You're left feeling like you're listening the audio equivalent of a normally classy mum dressing up in her daughter’s clothing.
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Repeatedly tries to regenerate the neo-soul-pop formula of I Try, down to its beat pauses and rich, piano-driven arrangements.
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While Big shows flashes of the irrepressible spirit that made Macy’s first two albums fun to listen to, there are many more instances of uninspired, boring music designed to capture a middle-of-the-road audience.
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Q MagazineThe record is righteously dominated by Gray's larger-than-life presence. [May 2007, p.127]
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[Producer Ron] Fair's [music] is concentrated sugar water, and Gray... too often pens lyrics and sings tunes just as cloying.
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Unfortunately (and not surprisingly), Gray's already weathered voice is more worn than ever; she struggles to reach and sustain notes that should be comfortably within her range.
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The sticking point is that, after a confident, rootsy start, the songs run out of steam halfway through, leaving Gray flailing through conventional soul stodge.
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“Big” purposefully grooms Ms. Gray for current R&B radio. But it doesn’t hold back her personality or her odd, indelible voice. [26 Mar 2007]
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UncutHampered by Gray's dial-a-diva rasp, Big is nowhere near as good as it should be. [May 2007, p.92]
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Vibe[She takes a] new, inappropriately measured approach. [May 2007, p.115]
User score distribution:
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Positive: 22 out of 32
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Mixed: 3 out of 32
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Negative: 7 out of 32
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jyotirmayad.Jul 3, 2007
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TannyaP.May 21, 2007I love it! Especially "What I gotta do" it has a lot of heart and it's a great song! Macy Gray is Back!
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DarrellPMay 9, 2007