Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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137 of 144 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Dumbing Down Of Love, November 10, 2002
In my own humble opinion, Frou Frou's 'Details' is the best album to come out (so far) in 2002 and is one of the best debuts I've ever heard before. I admit to being an eccentric music fan who's purchased quite a lot of CDs this year but Frou Frou's 'Details' is the one that I find myself listening to the most. And while everyone can compare Imogen Heap's darkly lavished vocals to the likes of Beth Orton and pop goddess Dido, Imogen's brooding and crooning has a sound that's delightfully her own. And what makes this pop-electronic album even better is the fact that Imogen's backed up by producer/arranger Guy Sigsworth, whos worked with such remarkable talents as Bjork and Madonna. The lyrics (which mostly deal with relationships and breakups) are as sassy and as cunning as the hooking melody lines themselves. There's honestly not one bad song on here, and they're all extremely catchy. "Let Go" gives hope to mend a broken heart by expressing how there's beauty in the breakdown while "Maddening Shroud" merrily portrays how the pains of hoping to fix something that's already damaged just isn't worth the time or exasperation. "It's Good To Be In Love" seems to set loose from all of the gloom and points out the finer times of being in love, but it's on songs like "Must Be Dreaming", "Psychobbable" and "Ssh" that Frou Frou (whom are named after the French word for the rustle of silk) truly shine on. 'Details' in an amazing album and I am eagerly hoping and anticipating a follow-up to this incredible accomplishment! This receives my Highest recommendation!
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54 of 58 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
It's all in the "Details", September 11, 2004
"Frou Frou" apparently means "rustle of silk," a seemingly appropriate name for one of the best trip-hop bands since Portishead. Their debut album "Details" is shimmery, textured music, mixing feathery ballads with funky pop, and all sung in Imogene Heap's sweet vocals.
Catchy trip-hop forms the core of this, especially the solid, fast-paced "Breathe In," which has a slightly fantastical sound. It doesn't get much more fun than the swirling catchy "Must Be Dreaming," bouncy little pop song "Shh," or the delicately pensive "Maddening Shroud." These songs mix pop rhythms with ambient sound, and end up getting the best of both.
There's a softer, less poppy side to Frou Frou as well. "Let Go" is a delicate little song accompanied by piano and little electronic swooshes. So is "The Dumbing Down of Love," a gentle blend of electronica and piano melody, and the minimalist electronica of "Psychobabble," which is mostly Heap's breathy voice against some dark electronic sounds.
Imogene Heap returns in a big way with producer Guy Sigsworth. And this time around, Heap gets all the attention she deserves. A few of the songs aren't quite top-quality, but each one has its own sweet appeal. And most surprisingly, Frou Frou manages to do ballads and trip-hop equally well, giving a haunted air to the former and a bright one to the latter.
It's virtually impossible to blend pop, electronica and ambient music this seamlessly. But somehow Frou Frou does it. The best qualities of each musical style are all captured and blended together, usually in a blend of slow piano, shimmery synth and low-key guitar. If it doesn't make your ears tingle, then you must be deaf.
Heap's voice is a bit like pop newcomer Jem's -- it's sweet and wispy, yet surprisingly strong. And it has the smooth quality of someone who is completely in tune with the music. And she brings a lot of feeling to the wistful songs about emotional turmoil and losing love: "If love is surrender/Then whose war is it anyway?"
Funky, catchy trip-hop and delicate ballads are what Frou Frou is all about. Sweet, shimmery and catchy, this is a must-have for lovers of good pop.
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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the Best Albums in a Long Time, January 7, 2005
This is a truly great album. I highly recommend purchasing this album for anyone who is intrigued by "Let Go" which was featured prominently in "Garden State" and on its soundtrack. After originally "sharing" this track I was interested in hearing more of Frou Frou. As a consequence, I read the other reviews and listened to the sample tracks, and then decided that I would give the album a listen. Since I received it, this album has yet to dissapoint and I cannot see how it will ever do so.
I love to listen to great music and almost all of the tracks are impressive according to any criteria I know of. I recommend buying this album and using a great set of 2-channel (stereo) speakers to drive it. I use a pair of Maggie MMGs and they make this album sound even better than my computer speakers, iPod, or Bose car system. A good set of 2-channel speakers will richly reward your ears; there are shades of texture and impressive soundstaging that were only evident on the Magnepans.
Further, there is not a bad track on the album. How often can that be said about any album?
Moreover, and more importantly than the spontaneous listening experience, the lyrics are appropriately contextualized by the audible experience and in most cases it provides an almost perfect texture (admittedly the texture is far richer when well soundstaged, but the tracks are beautiful even when powered by less discerning speakers).
"details" is a truly beautiful album by any measure I am aware of. So surrender to the beauty of the breakdown and experience the entire album. "Hello. Goodbye. And we're taking calls; now what was the question?" (Track 02-Breathe In-02:39)
If anyone knows of similar works, pls advise. Thanks for reading; hope this helps.
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Imogen Heap shares her favorite music with Amazon customers. See all artists' picks on our Music You Should Hear page.
by Frou Frou 
