Imogen Heap - Speak for Yourself
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Free Music Notes for Speak for Yourself
Free Music Review: Rich, Passionate, and Fun
Hit: 5 Stars
After listening to "Frou Frou's" "Details" (produced by Guy Sigsworth), I was interested in hearing more Imogen Heap. So I bought "Speak for Yourself" and I loved it. It continues to inspire whenever I listen:
...marvelously expressive and sensual audio experience painted largely with two pallettes of nearly infinite range - electronic instrumentation, and Imogen's incredible voice.
Let me try to describe that voice:
-Her inhales and exhales are an important part of the performance and adds to the sensuality.
-Wonderful layering of harmonic and accent tracks.
-The rhythms are perfectly timed.
-Passionate, erotic, angelic.
And the lyrics are worthy of the sounds.
I always wonder about the people behind the music, including the impact of the producer. Listening to "Speak" (produced by Imogen) seemed to imply that Guy Sigsworth's contribution to "Details" may not have been as sig-nificant (I love puns), or perhaps it was very sig-nificant, and what she learned from him she incorporated into "Speak."
However, I have also since listened to Imogen's "I Megaphone," which is entirely more free spirited and undisciplined, but I did not enjoy it as much. This gave me the impression that Guy Sigsworth's contribution to "Details" and perhaps by inspiration, to "Speak," might have been much bigger than I imagined. Who knows.
I do know this - Imogen Heap is a huge talent, worthy of your time and money, regardless of the production style she's using to express herself.
NOTE: I was able to copy this CD to my PC, so the protection has been removed. Even if it continued to be protected, its important, I think, not to penalize the artists. Most artists (who make almost nothing on the sales of their CDs) fight with their labels to prevent protection. Artists would prefer broad distribution of their material so that more folks can hear it, like it, and go to the concerts, where the artists are able to make a living.
Free Music Review: Innovative Style
Hit: 5 Stars
The more I listen to Imogen Heap's creations the more her music seems to be infused with an especially high level of creative exploration.
Love's many expressions appear in intensity and velvety softness. Imogen's voice expresses all emotions while dancing in a swirling of voluptuous perfection. The sounds are rich and real and at times unbelievably inspired.
It is impossible to ignore her angst and passionate strength as they mingle in The Walk in a series of expressive whispers, alluring embraces and silky soaring sweeps. The music expands and contracts in layers of ingenious expression. We can feel the internal forces speaking for themselves in layers of strength fighting with the strongest pull of passion.
The highlight of this album is Imogen Heap's voice that transcends reality for moments at a time in ecstatic moments where you struggle to remain conscious, pulled under by the beauty. The Moment I Said It is breathtaking in its echoed layering. "It's not even light out..." is enough to do you in and if you manage to remain in the moment, she pulls you in and out of a haunting "I'm loosing you..."
If you close your eyes you will feel like you are floating in a heady intoxication of soul pleasure. Goodnight and Go has so many moments it is impossible to keep track of all the playful spontaneity. Have You Got It In You? is magical and mysterious all while being especially vibrant in places. I am in Love with You alternates between moods and is deeply sexy in style and content.
Love's certainty and unpredictability make their appearance throughout the lyrics, surrounded by strong song writing and breathless beauty. Imogen lived a little on the edge while producing this album and it shows in her vibrant edge and innovative style.
~The Rebecca Review
P.S. You may also want to check out Evening Ocean's debut album - The Attraction.
Free Music Review: You got a real flair with excuses
Hit: 5 Stars
More and more, it seems, CDs just aren't as fun to listen to as they use to be. Imogen Heap proves that's just one big misconception. Every second of Speak For Yourself is interesting and engrossing. Whether it's her voice guiding you along or it's the music--which, and I kid not when I say this, I find something new to love about it every single time I pop this CD in--I can't find a single reason not to love this release. Even after you've heard these songs countless times somehow they remain interesting and new, this fact alone should warrant a purchase from any music lover who's yet to hear this.
I honestly believe that even if you don't like Speak For Yourself, I think everyone can agree to the fact that Imogen is talented. With her teetering the line between unknown and mainstream it's safe to say she sounds nothing like ANYONE in the mainstream, and I'm sure it goes likewise in the other direction too. Gotta love Zach Braff for introducing a good majority of people to her.
Speak For Yourself is full of dance-worthy beats, vocals that are impossible to compare, introspective lyrics, and a diversity that keeps things fresh with each new listen. Far and away the most unexpected track offered goes to Hide And Seek. This is one of those songs that never fails to raise every hair on your body simply because of how beautiful Imogen's delivery is. Love the climax at the end as well. Past that, Headlock, Loose Ends, Clear The Area, The Walk, and Closing In are all standouts as well.
My favorite songs are Headlock, Loose Ends, Hide And Seek, Clear The Area, and Just For Now. Speak For Yourself proves to be one of those rare records that you can turn to no matter what your mood is. It's said often but it seems so obviously true here...every song has something different to offer. Not much more to say then that. Highly recommended.
Free Music Review: Mostly positive, with one drawback
Hit: 5 Stars
Let's get it out there right away: If you don't like electronic synth as backing music for a vocalist, this album may not be for you. However, if you let that stand in the way of giving Speak For Yourself an honest listen, then you'll be missing out on some great lyrical content, as well as the unique vocal stylings of Imogen herself.
Lyrically, I'm reminded of the late Kirsty Maccoll. Both women have a quirky sense of humor that translates incredibly well into their music, and a Euro-sensibility that is sometimes lost on American listeners (of which I am one!).
Take for instance "Goodnight and Go", a thinly-veiled song of voyeurism. Dave Mathews tried (and I think, in some ways, failed) to do something similar in the lyrics of "Crash Into Me", but Imogen balances the innuendo well here. Again, I think of Kirsty Maccoll and the song "Treachery" from the album Tropical Brainstorm.
My favorite tune has to be "The Walk" The chorus gets stuck in my head every time I hear it. Most people have probably heard "Hide and Seek" via a number of sources, including whatever that show is on the WB Network right now (aren't they really all the same? It's "Dawson's Creek: The Next Generation", right? heh-heh....) "Hide and Seek" is such a stand-out recording, though: Multi-tracking to the nth degree. Les Paul & Mary Ford would be proud.
The only major drawback: copy protection. Lordy, I hate that! I'm not pirating the music in order to sell it on eBay or anything; I'd just like to have it in my computer playlist at home without having to have the CD in hand. Heck, it won't even play on my computer, actually. Bummer. I suppose it's the wave of the future, though, so I will have to adapt.
So, that's my review: check the CD out, buy it, be happy. I know I am.
Free Music Review: Speak For Yourself may be the most ORIGINAL and CREATIVE album ALL YEAR!!!!
Hit: 5 Stars
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!!!!