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Speak for Yourself | 
 enlarge | Artist: Imogen Heap
Label: RCA Victor
Category: Music
List Price: $12.98
Buy Used: $6.50
You Save: $6.48 (50%)
New (40) Used (22) from $6.50
Avg. Customer Rating:  226 reviews
Sales Rank: 625
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
MPN: 72532
UPC: 828767253220
EAN: 0828767253220
ASIN: B000B7BZM4
Release Date: November 1, 2005
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Tracks:
| • | Headlock | | • | Goodnight and Go | | • | Have You Got It In You? | | • | Loose Ends | | • | Hide and Seek | | • | Clear The Area | | • | Daylight Robbery | | • | The Walk | | • | Just For Now | | • | I Am In Love With You | | • | Closing In | | • | The Moment I Said It |
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| 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
Album 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.
Album Details
2005 Second Solo Album from the Classically Trained Pianist who was also Half of the Duo Frou Frou. The First Single "Hide and Seek" Found an Audience on Digital Download Services after Being Included on the 2004-5 Season Closing Episode of the Popular TV Series "The O.c.".
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| Customer Reviews: Read 221 more reviews...
 Beautiful and inpiring! August 19, 2008
Recently, I put my iTunes on shuffle (not sumthin I normally do), and Imogen's "Hide and Seek" started to play. My whole body started to tingle cuz I just love this song, and I hadn't heard in quite a while. After the song had finished, I immediately took my iTunes off shuffle mode, and started "Speak For Yourself!" from track one. "Ahh....!!" I thought to myself, "...such an inspiring album!"...I bathed my hearing senses with every nuance I could soak in. Into my 2nd-listen-in-a-row through the album, I had a disturbing thought! - I had never written a review of one of my all time favorite albums, ever!
First of all, as anyone would agree, Imogen has a beautifully trained voice. She can transition from a soft whisper to a scream like nobody's business! (ok, she really doesn't scream). But in other words, I guess the point I'm trying to get out, is that she doesn't sing they same way, in every song....she's a very dynamic vocalist! And from what I understand, she writes, sings, composes and produces most everything herself (wow).
Her music, second of all, is very impressive. It's vibrant, rich, intelligent and full of subleties that paints a very unique and wonderful soundscape she can call all her own. Song structures are generally comprised of electronics as the backbone, such as percussion and bass lines, while the more melodic instrumentation may be a combination of piano, strings, xylophone, or some other exotic sounding instrument, mixed with other synthetic tembres. As an analogy, the music is very synchronous and acrobatic, much like watching a complicated peice of machinery at work. A friend recently sent me a link to one of her video blogs where she just aquired an instrument called "De Hang", it's like a hand-held steel drum, but much better sounding (in my opinion). I hope to hear this thing in her upcoming release this Fall! :)
And speaking of her blogs, I've been catching up on them and have formed somewhat of a sisterly liking to her worldly persona. As a musician myself, her passion for her music is very inspiring and motivating. As a person, her passion about life and little things is apparently something she enjoys, and is inspiring as well. I feel even more connected to her and her music, thanks to her video blogs (which are on YouTube and accessible from her website here: http://www.imogenheap.co.uk/).
Anyhooo....regardless of what your musical preference is, you should take a listen to "Speak For Yourself". It's a "must have" in my book!
 Fun album with repeatablity June 12, 2008
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.
Great CD from start to finish... June 8, 2008
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!
Mesmerizing... June 2, 2008
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.
 Get out more June 2, 2008
0 out of 4 found this review helpful
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.
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