Co-crafted with help from her fans, Imogen Heap’s album Ellipse plucks heartstrings and reckons heartbreak through her unique, honest sound.
Imogen Heap has been experimenting with social networking by asking for input on her songs from fans and even giving them an opportunity to contribute music to a track posted on the Web. Still, the British singer/songwriter’s third release is a solid, coherent record, fanciful at times and deliciously moody at others. The opener, “First Train Home,” is a dreamy morning-after song tinged with regret, and “Between Sheets” celebrates the night before. “Tidal,” despite the Fiona Apple echoes of its name, references the beach towns Heap traveled through while composing the album. Rounding out the superfemme vibe here is “Bad Body Double,” a funked-up, wry take on body-image issues. Effervescent even when she’s paranoid, Heap has a sense of humor and soothing voice that make this a record destined for as much attention, commercial and Internet, as her first.
