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Imogen Heap
- Speak For Yourself (RCA Victor)
Released - November, 2005
Someone stop me. I was about to use the word ethereal to
describe this one.
Imogen Heap actually had a respectable career going solo in the late 90s
in her native UK; put it on hold for a while to get together with
long-time collaborator Guy Sigsworth. They released an album; fast-forward
to now. Ms. Heap is solo again on this disc, and getting recognition,
thanks to use of her tunes in HBO's "Six Feet Under," and FOX TV's soaper,
"The O.C."
I can't remember how I ended up listening to a snippet of "Goodnight and
Go" on iTunes. Just one of those stream of consciousness things.
"Goodnight and Go" is a smart, amusing tune that showcases Ms. Heap's
delicate voice. "Have You Got It In You" is another great showcase for Ms.
Heap's voice.
"Hide and Seek" doesn't fit the disc (I'm thinking too much Harmonizer),
but stands along on its own; "The Moment I Said It" offers smart lyrics
that showcase the lower register of Ms. Heap's voice.
iTunes also offers a separate instrumental (Ms. Heap was trained as a
classical pianist), "Cumulus," that is outstanding. Come to think of it, I
think that's where this serendipitous surf began.
Too much of the album, though, is monotonous electronica that bores me
silly. Any single cut is tolerable; a whole disc full is...zzzz.
My brother-in-law likes it. He'd love this one.
I'd prefer more of her voice, and less gimmickry, but I'm not in the
demographic.
The cuts mentioned above will make it to the next mix on the iPod. The
rest will probably languish on the hard drive.
  Two
and one-half microphones (out of four)
- Doug Boynton
(12/01/05) |
