Speak for Yourself

Imogen Heap | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 1, 2005)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: RCA Victor
• ASIN: B000B7BZM4
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (235 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,803 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #17 in Music > Indie Music > Dance & DJ > Electronica
  • #19 in Music > Alternative Rock > Indie & Lo-Fi > Electronic Pop
  • #49 in Music > Alternative Rock > Indie & Lo-Fi > General

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

If the voice sounds familiar, that may be because a couple of tracks have been featured on The O.C., while Frou Frou's "Let Go" appeared in Garden State. (Frou Frou is a collaboration between Heap and producer Guy Sigsworth.) Her sophomore release, after a UK-only debut, is a fine showcase for the singer/songwriter's swooping vocals. Her style, which incorporates layers of multi-tracking, lies somewhere between Sinead O'Connor's banshee howl and Jem's more delicate musings. There's more of a groove to her ouvre, however. At times, she almost sounds like Norway's Annie--by way of Kate Bush. The overall effect is plush and luxurious, if occasionally generic (a more stripped-down approach would really allow that instrument to shine). The one song that doesn't quite fit the electro-pop pattern is the vocoder-saturated "Hide and Seek," in which Heap enters Laurie Anderson territory (specifically 1982's "O Superman"). It's a risk that pays off, although its placement midway through the recording threatens to throw the balance off. (It would have made more sense at the end.) Aside from writing and singing, the multi-talented musician also recorded and produced Speak for Yourself. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Product Description

Whether partnered with Guy Sigsworth as Frou Frou, or on her own, Imogen Heap is an enormously gifted singer, songwriter, producer, keyboardist, and programmer. She does it all here on her second solo CD which showcases her remarkable talents. The stunning track 'Hide and Seek' offers the electronic equivalent of a cappella, with only Imogen's expressive voice heard via vocoder -- an early favorite that shot right to #1 on iTunes Electronic Chart in June 2005. The song was also featured on the season finale of THE O.C., and earlier in the season, THE O.C. previewed another track from this album called 'Goodnight and Go', a bittersweet ballad about the secret admiring of a neighbor. Comparison's have been made to Bjork, Alanis Morrisette, Joni Mitchell and Annie Lennox, among others, but no one can hold a candle to Imogen Heap. Her electronic programming and keyboarding are so textured and layered, you will hear something new with each and every listening. Her canvas is cinematic, operatic, visionary, and always surprising with twists, turns, tangents and breaks that keep the listener on a journey of the unexpected. Whether evoking a hundred piece orchestra, an electric slide guitar, or a simple vocoder, Heap weaves her magic spell. As a lyricist, Heap has a wicked sense of humor, yet can drive a knife right through your heart when you least expect it. Don't miss out on one of the very best albums of the year. No domestic release date scheduled. Megaphonic. 2005. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

54 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Stunner, August 3, 2005

By 

Benjamin Norman "Trance Pants" (Washington DC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Speak for Yourself (Audio CD)

This girl shows again and again that she has enough talent in her PINKY FINGER to support at least two more albums and a side project, and not break a sweat.

I Megaphone was an eclectic mix of soft songs and crunchy scary songs. It was good enough, but she didn't seem to have found her niche. Then, in 2002, Frou Frou's album came out. Yeah, most people missed it. I found out about it before Garden State, thankfully. It was absolutely amazing. She had found the place her vocals worked best, and I still haven't stopped listening to that album.

This brings me to Speak For Yourself, her sophomore solo album. She took more than just a little of the experience she gained from Frou Frou and used it here. While this album can't technically be called "trip hop" like Details could, it's close. The sounds are delicious (her website had a section where you could hear some of the samples she used - and oh how she used them!), the vocals are tantalizing, sexy, and deep, and the lyrics are, as always, interesting and edgy. This album will not let you down.

Key tracks:
Headlock - This song starts calm, with flickers of plinking sounds that tickle the ears and mind (especially with headphones) that delves into a heavy and almost angry beat halfway through. Quite good.

Loose Ends - Quite a poppy song. This definitely deserves some radio play. She even puts the opening "dum dum"s in the lyric book. It's easy, simple, and fun. One of my favorites.

Hide & Seek - This is the stunning and haunting filtered a capella track heard on this last season's finale of The O.C., so...YES! You've heard it! And it IS that song! Talent, I say. Talent!

Daylight Robbery - A very rough, edgy song starting with a heavy guitar/drum sounds that soon envelopes the song. I really like how she paired her voice with this song. I could see her rockin' out bigtime in the future. It still retains it's electronic side while employing these harder sounds.

I Am In Love With You - This song sounds very hip-hop at the beginning. It just has a very...late-night sweaty hip-hop club feel to it. The song is scandalous, as she is saying she is in love with a guy, just long enough to, umm...*cough*. Well, we're all adults here, right? You can figure it out.

Closing In - I didn't like this song at first. It seemed very...sloppy. I really didn't think it was her best. The more I listen to it though, I hear the true beauty. It's constantly on edge, just waiting to go over. The lyrics are beautiful, her vocals definitely suit the music, and it's just an all-around wonderful track.

The Moment I Said It - This is the longest song on the album at 5:56. It has a slow buildup, pleasing us with just Imogen's voice and the gentle plinkings of a piano. Some sort of distorted harp sound soon joins, as she sings "It's not even light out, but you've somewhere to be". It gets much heavier as the song progresses, and it gave me goosebumps upon the first listen. This song ends the album perfectly, while also leaving a distinct...wanting for more. I cannot wait for Frou Frou's next album.

Buy this. It's worth the money.

321 of 356 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars UPDATED: NO LONGER COPY PROTECTED, November 4, 2005

By 

I. M. Sanchez Prado "Lit prof" (Pittsburgh, PA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Speak for Yourself (Audio CD)

As other people have noticed, this item is no longer copy protected. I still strongly recommend it.

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Speak For Yourself may be the most ORIGINAL and CREATIVE album ALL YEAR!!!!, November 1, 2005

By 

Patrick M. Boothe "Patrick Boothe" (Irving, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Speak for Yourself (Audio CD)

Not only creative and original but brilliant and beautiful. But maybe being such a huge Imogen fan, I'm a little bias. One thing must be stated. DON'T LISTEN TO LOW GRADE SAMPLES OF THIS ALBUM ONLINE. The songs are very rich and textured that low quality online samples do not flow as well as listening to a crisp clear MP3 or CD.

Musically, this lp sticks to the electronic sound that was also heavily present in Imogen's Frou Fruo project, the difference is the level of intimacy that isn't usually as prevalent in even the most ethereal electronic albums.

Headlock starts the album off with a strong exclamation, while Goodnight and Go give a more whimsical feel with great rhythmic makeup and beautiful lush instrumentation that is a surprise with every listen.

By now most attention has been driven towards Hide And Seek, the vocodor induced a capella-ish track. And that attention has been rightfully deserved. This astonishing track can never be duplicated, it's liquid movements and Imogen's near-flawless vocals leading the way.

But aside once you get past that, the magic doesn't end there! The album tends to get a little electro-funky in Clear the Area and the SUPER fun I Am In Love With You(which is amazing to hear this track after having heard it piano-laden from a live show for her earlier album), as well we get that great rocker-grrl mode from Imogen on Daylight Robbery (what a great single this would make, IMO) and Closing In.

The other great thing about this album is that we get to see Imogen at her most beautiful, with songs like the impenetrable Just For Now, and probably the best LAST song on an Imogen/Frou lp The Moment I Said It.

Now that it is finally out in the US, you have NO excuse NOT to pick up a copy!!!!