Imogen Heap Album: “Speak for Yourself”

As other people have noticed, this item is no longer copy protected. I still strongly recommend it.

Finally! I am so excited for this albums US release. Imogen is a master musician, who is extremely talented in her production. Seeing her at the Canal Room in NYC proved the extent of her talent. Her voice has a rare quality, almost a whisper at times and at the change of a beat she shakes the song in a new pitch. In each song Imogen expresses herself in a passionate and beautiful mini symphony that requires full attention. From the lyrics to the perfect orchestration of every song, this album cannot be played as background music.

Speak For Yourself is the first solo record released in the US by Frou Frou vocalist Imogen Heap. The album is a sonically rich outing with electronic buzzes and pulsating bass lines. "Goodnight & Go" is a pretty song with an immensely catchy chorus and "Hide & Seek" has a strong synth-pop sound that is equally as catchy. Ms. Heap gets a little experimental on the ethereal "Have You Got It in You?" and "The Walk" shows some muscle. Speak For Yourself is an entertaining and well-crafted album that deserves to have commercial success.

Please do research on the Windows virus that this CD will install on your computer before purchasing it.

Reports are that the malicious code is installed even if you explicitly instruct the software not to. The software leaves your computer even more vulnerable to remote installation of software that can turn your computer into a SPAM relay. The best part are reports that attempting to REMOVE the software can render your computer unbootable!

In my humble opinion, such tactics are inexcusable. Shame on you, Sony! It is your music, but it is NOT your computer!

There are two other options for obtaining this album. One is ordering the import release, which costs three times as much, and takes a month to be delivered. The other option is to find the music online, either on iTunes, or somewhere else.

Kudos to Sony for forcing honest consumers into a situation where they must consider stealing the music as a valid option.

Be advised that this disc has Sony's ill-designed copy protection program on it. Once the program is installed on your computer (which it does automatically, without even giving you notice or the option to decline), your ability to make legal personal copies of the music will be compromised, and the program itself will open up your computer to potential virus threats and CPU drain. It's ridiculous that Sony has chosen to punish those who support their favorite artists by legally purchasing their music.

I feel very bad for Imogen Heap, who self-financed this excellent record and now must suffer from Sony's poor decisions. If at all possible, purchase the UK or iTunes version of this record. The music is worth it. From the strange, haunting "Hide and Seek" to the dense, ecstatic "Daylight Robbery," this record shows that pop - particularly of the electronic/synth/digital variety - need not be cold, poorly sung, or lyrically vacuous (see: the Britney/Simpson-types of the current pop scene). Imogen's production, voice, and lyrics are fascinating. I highly recommend the record - just not the dangerous and dishonest software that is unfortunately bundled with it.