Friday, June 20, 2014

Flashback Friday: Speak For Yourself by Imogen Heap

Finally - a Flashback Friday Album that isn't quite so obscure.  Chances are you may have heard some songs off this one - especially if you were a fan of the TV show The O.C. 

In the season two finale, Imogen's "Hide and Seek" was used to punctuate the ending scene.  This was later parodied on SNL as one of their Digital Shorts - Dear Sister - which is where I first heard the track.

Following an appearance by Imogen live on David Letterman, I decided to get a couple of her albums.  Her work is very good - but this record is really special.

Written, produced, arranged, and funded by Imogen herself, it was the first record where she really explored the sonic textures and songwriting that would become her hallmark. 

You can hear it here:  Speak For Yourself by Imogen Heap (Xbox Music)

Musically the album ranges from the spare vocalizer sonics of "Hide And Seek", to the full-on guitar rock of "Daylight Robbery".  In-between, Imogen detours into quiet strength with the song "Have You Got It In You?", gets Jeff Beck to contribute a solo to the upbeat "Goodnight and Go", and finishes with the jaw-droppingly stunning "The Moment I Said It".

Her other albums, like Ellipse, her latest solo release; or Details, recorded with Guy Sigsworth under the moniker Frou Frou; are also worthy of investigation.  But Speak For Yourself is a great place to start.

Give it a listen and let me know what you think below.