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This is not the Imogen Heap of Frou Frou. This is Imogen Heap solo, in her enchanting debut "I Megaphone." So don't expect silky, slinky trip-hop -- Heap opts for a darker, more raw kind of music that reflects the pain in the songwriting. Sort of a Tori-Amos-meets-Fiona-Apple sound, but with a spirit all its own.

Trip-hop/piano opens the album in "Getting Scared," starting off soft and transforming into a rocker. There's a dark, intense edge to the music -- the sensuality and fire of "Come Here Boy," the rage in "Rake It In," and the snarl of "Angry Angel." While there are some softer-edged ballads, the sound is of a young woman with some emotional scars.

When you hear how polished "I Megaphone" sounds, it's surprising that Heap was only nineteen when it was made. The English musician (the title is an anagram of her name) takes a different musical road from 95% of the pop singers out there, opting for passion and enigma, mixed in with some strong vocals and a unique blend of pop, rock and electronica.

The music is a pleasant blend of the organic piano, and the gentle trip-hop beats. Several songs are piano-based, with classically trained Heap playing her own piano melodies in songs like "Candlelight," or the percussion-piano blend of "Shine." Other songs are more based in electronic beats, but don't lose that grounded edge.

Heap's voice was a bit "young" here, though very close to maturity. It's an unusual voice for pop music, husky and quite sultry in the sexier tracks, but capable of lashing out in songs like "Getting Scared." That fire also keeps her from seeming too woe-is-poor-li'l-me. "Shine - I will not cry and I will be mine/I'll shine - shine," she tells us, right before talking about how "madness moved into my shadow." And let's not forget the angrier bits: "Who's getting scared now/Tell me, tell me how does it feel/It feels so good from where I'm standing!" she lets rip.

Imogen Heap's debut album has hints of Fiona Apple and Tori Amos, but "I Megaphone" is its own kind of music. Raw, sensual and thoroughly beautiful, this is a lost gem.
Reviewer: E. A Solinas "ea_solinas"



tracklist

1. Getting Scared
2. Sweet Religion
3. Oh Me, Oh My
4. Shine
5. Whatever
6. Angry Angel
7. Candelight
8. Rake It In
9. Come Here Boy
10. Useless
11. Sleep


link:
have it !

by the way, i see the user cloud_strife posted Speak For Yourself album, so check that one out also.