by Adam Carroll.

Imogen Heap's sophomore solo effort, Speak for Yourself, delivers twelve tracks that could easily fit any director's soundtrack agenda. Following the success of Frou Frou's "Details," a collaboration with producer Guy Sigsworth (Madonna, Britney Spears), her latest smorgasbord of sound was released on her own independent record label Megaphonic. "I loved working with Guy," Heap stated in a June 2005 interview, but conveyed her readiness to finally receive full credit for her now distinctive sound and completely display her musical abilities.

Since the use of "Let Go" for the closing moments and climax of Zach Braff's indie film hit Garden State, all eyes have finally turned to Imogen Heap. Imogen's ability to mix fast-paced songs and light hearted pieces on her latest CD is a winning combination.

"Headlock" and "Goodnight and Go" follow this pattern and allow the listeners to safely buckle their seatbelts for the rest of her musical adventure. Her dulcet harmonies could strike a chord of peace and incubus in a serial killer's untamed rage. The first single of Speak for Yourself, "Hide and Seek," featuring layers of Heap's voice engulfed by a synthesized effect, helped propel the popularity of the second season finale of the O.C.

Speak for Yourself also provides tracks like "Have You Got It In You?" and "Just for Now" that boast the strength and appeal of Imogen's vocals. Although this album is an experimental creation in itself, "Daylight Robbery" stands out as the most experimental of all with distorted guitars and an endless list of electrical sounds. It also proves to be a piece that is not easy to listen to, because of its obscure structure. "Loose Ends" on the other hand is seemingly generic and sounds more like something out of a Jem album. It is arguably the only weak song in this 2005 release.

"The Walk" and "I Am In Love With You" are lyrical, love webs that, although personal, are easily accessible. The closing piece, "The Moment I Said It," is a slow, piano driven song that completes Speak for Yourself. All in all, Heap's first independent, full length album is full of addicting tracks that tease and tempt the listener to play her songs over and over. She's a created a true gem with beautiful sounds and has the ability to enhance anyone's state of mind.

Her exquisite voice can be most recently enjoyed during the closing credits of the movie The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. "Can't Take It In," a piece specifically made for the film, showcases the voice and music that seems to be able to sprinkle the final touch that captivates an audience. The result of such success is now a long line of eager industry professionals and an accumulating legion of fans.