Imogen Heap - Speak For Yourself [Digipak] (CD 2005)

Imogen sustains the inventiveness, across the melody, chord patterns and song arcs for almost the entire album. It has a real epic feel to it as a result, despite the fact that she recorded most of it by herself. As such, it's hard to think of a reason not to wholeheartedly recommend it. At times the lyrics can seem a little aloof, but the musical warmth always brings them into focus and makes them work. In short, most albums, as a body of work, fall miles short of this powerful achievement. The changing record industry has empowered the bedroom musician, sometimes to detrimental effect. Genuine talent, after all, is in as short supply as it ever was. Thankfully though, in the case of Imogen Heap, it's the best thing that could have happened. Recommended listening and a must buy album...