Speak for Yourself

Imogen Heap has a beautiful voice. This album is filled with songs that highlight that voice without seeming to overwhelm you with it. The album is enjoyable listening to as a whole or focusing on a couple of songs. It stands up to repeated listening, which is more than can be said for much of the popular radio fare.

I bought this CD because one of the songs was play on 'So You Think You Can Dance' to one of the lyrical numbers. Truly beautiful. It's one of those CDs that you can listen to from start to finish without disappointment. Great unique arrangements. Beautiful voice. Soothing yet strong. Love it!

That is the first word to come to mind when I think of Imogen Heap's work. Not only are the songs well done; but they sound nothing like one another. Then take into account that she wrote, produced, and worked for a year creating this album. She sings all the vocals, plays keyboard, synthesizes everything, and re-mortagaged her entire flat/apartment to fund the release (and production) this album. Yet, the songs and CD still own a professional quality. Now, this, dear reader, is what I call a labour for the love of music. (And, I must add, the quality of this CD alone puts to shame the many artists who are funded automatically; yet release sub-par CDs.)

Luckily, Imogen managed to gain enough to fund "Speak For Yourself" and what a CD it is!

Imogen's vocals have a very other-worldy feel to them, the vocals are like no other. She has a very nice, calming voice that is pleasant to listen to. She is not afraid to experiment with differing styles - most particularly on "Hide and Seek" where her vocals take on both a synthesized sound (while managing to sound natural) and acapella at the same time. Elsewhere, "The Walk" is sung with a powerful sadness of someone not wanting to feel upset over lost love. Opposite this "Headlock" has a wonder aspect in terms of sound, as if one is in a different world all together. Yet, Imogen also exhibits a tinge of realization, reflection, and forwardness when it comes to another person's excuses. "The Moment I said It" is another fantastic example. Imogen uses her range on this powerful ballad, sounding completely angelic. In fact, it was this very song that caught my attention and made me want to buy this CD in the first place.

The songs themselves are, as mentioned, very different from one another. "Headlock" begins on a calm note; but turns up the beat halfway through becoming a completely different song at the end. It is a beautiful piece of music - energizing and powerful.

"Goodbye and Go" becomes a song one could dance to. It is fun and playful much like the theme of the song, which revolves around a crush. "Have You Got it in You?" follows in a more serious tone. The keyboards on this song are exquisite, exhibiting a nostalgic and pensive feeling. It is a favourite of mine. "Loose Ends" returns to that dance-like feeling; but this time, Imogen sings in a more serious tone about love gone sour. Accompanied by the the shifting instrumental tunes, the song becomes a standout. You can almost see her wandering around a city thinking about what to say to her man about the mess their relationship has gone though as the beats heighten. "Hide and Seek" becomes the most unique song on the album, by being all acapella, save for the synthesizer sound.

Nor is Imogen's creativity stinted: she does not use only conventional instruments. In "Closing In" the beat is created by Imogen banging CD cases against carpet tube castaways. Quite amazing to say the least.

Overall, the CD is an absolute gem from beginning to end. Definately recommended.

The artist says she spent a year alone in her studio. The piece number 5 - Hide and Seek, is very good and the whole reason I bought this. The rest of the CD is over done. The artist needs to get out more. I hope to see more, and better work from her.

I'm late to the party, having never watched The OC. I first heard the clip of "Hide and Seek" that The OC used in Saturday Night Live's hysterical "Death by Chocolate" sketch a couple months ago. As hard as I laughed at the sketch, I was still haunted by the beauty of the song and had to find out who it was. I got this CD a few days ago and it has only briefly left the player. After short metal breaks (my usual genre of choice...), this CD goes right back in. It's innovative, amazing, lush and layered. It reminds me of Kate Bush or even Tori Amos. The raw emotion conveyed is really contagious, and makes the CD a wonderful trip.