This review is part of the Three-Legged Writeoff, where members pair up to offer up as many reviews as they can handle on the 5th and 6th of July. Check out my partner in crime (er, music), teamfreak16's contributions or find the complete list of participants here: http://home.earthlink.net/~epskids.
Imogen Heap’s first (and solo) album I Megaphone was a disappointment. The generous two star rating I gave it was based solely on the strength of one really great song and on Imogen’s stellar voice. I felt that she had plenty of room to improve her songwriting and so I waited for her sophomore effort, which didn’t seem to ever arrive. A bit after the fact, I found out that Imogen had teamed up with Guy Sigworth to create a duo known as Frou Frou and had released an album in 2002 so I had to check it out.
The first thing that sets Frou Frou’s album Details apart from Imogen’s I Megaphone is that the sound is entirely different. Sigworth is both a musician and producer and is probably best known for his work with notables like Bjork, Seal, and Madonna. In the vein of those artists, Frou Frou’s sound is pop-oriented and focuses largely on sampled beats and other electronic means of creating music. Details is very nearly ambient in style, but still maintains a nice balance between upbeat pop and more subdued rhythms that border on trip-hop territory.
While I wouldn’t say Sigworth’s electronic manipulations here are breaking any new ground or even that the music is completely outstanding, it is safe to say that this style of music suits Imogen’s vocals much better than her solo work. Details lets Imogen shine as she moves effortlessly between breathless whispers and soaring melodies. The result is a fairly solid collection of songs that server as a wonderfully mellow backdrop for just about anything. Pop doesn’t mean it’s necessarily dance music and Frou Frou is great proof of this.
Though I do generally dig what Details is offering, not all of the eleven tracks here are phenomenal. Actually, I wouldn’t say any of them are exceptional, just good. One of the highlights for me is "Breathe In" because of its nice mix of synthesizers, drum beats, and actual guitar which create a lovely mellow vibe. "Must be dreaming" is nice as well, but mainly because of the vocals – I’m not overly fond of the "music" here because it flitters all over the place and sounds like someone is trying too hard to be Top 40. I also like "Psychobabble" because the sound here is a little more experimental than other tracks with use of varied beats and hypnotic rhythms. Most of the other tracks fall somewhere just below these three - not bad, but nothing special either.
Details isn’t an album that will floor you, but it is decent enough to check out if only for a song or two. Die-hard fans of trip-hop and pop may like Frou Frou a bit more than I because I find the best quality of this album is Imogen’s voice and not the music. I think she and Guy Sigworth still have a lot in them waiting to be coaxed out. In other words, their best work together is yet to come. Don’t run right out to buy this one, but check it out if you love strong, unusual vocals and are looking for something a bit different from standard pop fare.
Track Listing:
1. Let Go
2. Breathe In
3. It’s Good to Be in Love
4. Must Be Dreaming
5. Psychobabble
6. Only Got One
7. Shh
8. Hear Me Out
9. Maddening Shroud
10. Flicks
11. The Dumbing Down of Love
2002 debut album for duo comprised of musician/vocalist Imogen Heap & producer/arranger/songwriter/musician Guy Sigsworth (who s worked with Bjork on ...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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