Macy Gray Sings Metallica, Radiohead, My Chemical Romance + Awolnation

2012-02-02

Story by Anne Erickson

Macy Gray takes on metal and indie rock on latest album

Get ready to hear Metallica as you’ve never heard them before. Macy Gray, famed neo-soul singer, is taking an explanatory direction for her upcoming album, covering songs by a broad range of artists, including metal giants Metallica and alternative rock bands Radiohead, My Chemical Romance and Awolnation! View the track listing below.

Produced by Hal Willner, Gray’s “Covered” will arrive March 27 via 429 Records, and the set will include songs hand-picked by Gray that she’s been performing live on the road over the past decade. Remember My Chemical Romance’s high-octane alt-pop hit “Teenagers?” That’s one of the tracks. Add to that Arcade Fire’s “Wake Up”, Radiohead’s “Creep,” Awolnation’s “Sail” and, yes, Metallica’s “Nothing Else Matters.” A handful of spoken word sketches sit in-between the music.

If seeing Gray rock out Metallica-style sounds intriguing, you’re in luck, since the talented singer will set off on a worldwide tour to support the album later this year. “Covered” is the follow-up to Gray’s last album, 2010’s “The Sellout,” which has sold 37,000 copies to date, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Gray also recently wrapped up filming on “The Paperboy,” starring John Cusack, Zach Efron, Nicole Kidman and Matthew McConaughey.

Macy Gray, ‘Covered,’ Track Listing:

“Here Comes The Rain Again” (Eurythmics)
“Creep” (Radiohead)
“You Want Them Nervous” (skit featuring J.B. Smoove)
“Smoke 2 Joints” (The Toyes)
“La La La (Teaching The Kids)” (featuring Layann Al Saud, Avery Albert, Happy Hinds & Siena Stelber)
“Teenagers” (My Chemical Romance)
“The Power of Love” (featuring Hugh Salk)
“Nothing Else Matters” (Metallica)
“Sail” (AWOL Nation)
“I Try Is Cool And All But…” (skit featuring Nicole Scherzinger)
“Maps” (Yeah Yeah Yeahs)
“Love Lockdown”/”Buck” (Kanye West / Nina Simone)
“Mel Rap” (featuring Mel Hinds)
“Bubbly” (featuring Idris Elba) (Colbie Caillat)
“Wake Up” (Arcade Fire)
“Really?” (Kkit featuring MC Lyte)

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Anne Erickson

Meet the expert - Author, writer and editor Anne Erickson is a Detroit-based music reporter and radio host. She has written for the USA Today Network, Consequence.net, Blabbermouth.net, Loudwire.com and many more. Anne holds a master's degree from Michigan State University. Contact Anne at anne@audioinkradio.com.