My informal introduction to Imogen was when I heard a song called "Rollin' and Tumblin'" from Jeff Beck's latest album, You Had It Coming. It came on the radio and I stopped what I was doing to give it my full attention. The passion in her voice combined with the intensity of the guitar and drums backing her up made for a most pleasant listening experience. I didn't know at the time who the voice belonged to. I didn't even know the song was by Jeff Beck. But I made a point to find out.

After a bit of searching through songs with that title (there's quite a few) at cdnow.com, I found the Beck album and listened to the available track samples. While the music was good, it didn't impress me enough to make me want to buy it. The review at the bottom of the page gave a linked credit to Imogen, which I clicked and was taken to the page featuring her album, "I Megaphone" (which seems to no longer be available at Cdnow). My reaction to the samples I heard was "Wow. I have finally found Tori's equal." That's not to say they sound the same, but that they're equally good. The similarities between the two lie in the use of the piano and the vocal passion, but they have very distinctly different sounds. Heap is a pioneer in her own right. She's not anyone's carbon copy. Amos is and will always be my favorite, just because her music has been a part of my life for so long and she's like a trail blazer, an icon, a founding mother of inspirational, soulful, profound feminine rock. Or some such gush as that.

Needless by now to say, I absolutely love I Megaphone. It's amazing and I'd recommend it to anyone. The songs go well with any activity or mood and are singable after just a couple listens, but they never get old. You'll find yourself singing them in the shower. You will continue to be awed by this diversely faceted album every time you listen to it, which will be so often, 1) you'll feel a little guilty for neglecting your other faves, and 2) you'll infect everyone close to you with the Imogen contagion.

My favorite song from the album has changed five times so far. "Oh Me, Oh My" got me singing first. Then "Getting Scared" grabbed me and wouldn't let go... "Whatever" had me dancing, after which "Shine" infused me with its brilliance. Now I'm enchanted by "Candlelight". Really, the whole thing is just incredible, from beginning to end. There's not a track on it I don't like. The last one, "Sleep", a sort of impromptu lullaby, is the only one I skip over sometimes and may not make anyone's favorite list, but a few listens and the right mood reveals a beauty just as captivating as the rest.

There's also an import version of this album that comes with 2 bonus tracks -- "Airplane" and an acoustic "Whatever". Also, if you can find them, don't miss "Missing You" and "Kidding", two of the most beautiful songs you'll ever hear.

FYI: Imogen is pronounced im a gin. I Megaphone is an anagram of Imogen Heap.

Recommended: Yes

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