FROU FROU
Details (MCA)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

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Producer/composer/instrumentalist Guy Sigworth, veteran of sessions with artists including Bjork, Seal and Madonna, has found an effective foil in singer/composer/producer/instrumentalist Imogen Heap. The resulting album, Details, gives rise to hope that it will be a lasting partnership.

Trippy, hoppy, and poppy, the duo creates a contemporary wall of sound with a blend of conventional instruments, electronic effects, drum & bass, bollywood strings and just about anything else they happened to notice in the process of assembling their debut release. On top of it all are Heap's vocals, which at first glance are not dissimilar to the high, breathy sounds featured on too many dance tracks. It doesn't take too long, though, to notice that her efforts carry a depth of sensuality that is all too rare in today's dance music, and that she's actually singing about something. Yes, music with a groove that has real songs made of real lyrics! That hardly seems like a daring notion, but these days it seems to be.

This one deserves repeated listening, revealing new depth of arrangement and performance with each spin.

Track List:

Let Go * Breathe In * It's Good To Be In Love * Must Be Dreaming * Psychobabble * Only Got One * Shh * Hear Me Out * Maddening Shroud * Flicks * The Dumbing Down Of Love

© 2002 - Shaun Dale