Ellipse (album)

Last updated

Ellipse
Imogen Heap - Ellipse.jpg
Studio album by
Imogen Heap
Released24 August 2009 [1]
RecordedMarch 2007 – June 2009
Genre
Length48:43
Label
Producer Imogen Heap
Imogen Heap chronology
Speak for Yourself
(2005)		Ellipse
(2009)		 Sparks
(2014)
Singles from Ellipse
  1. "First Train Home"
    Released: 14 July 2009

Ellipse is the third studio album from British singer-songwriter Imogen Heap. After returning from a round the world writing trip, Heap completed the album at her childhood home in Essex, converting her old playroom in the basement into a studio. The album got its name from the distinctive elliptical shape of the house. [2] The album's title was confirmed by Heap via her Twitter page on 25 April 2009, after being leaked onto the internet on 23 April. On 15 June, Heap confirmed that the album would be released on 24 August 2009 in the United Kingdom on Megaphonic Records and 25 August in North America on RCA Records and Epic Records and distributed by Sony BMG.

Contents

Subject matter in the songs includes post break-up malaise ("Wait It Out"), domestic boredom ("Little Bird"), body image issues ("Bad Body Double") and a common Heap theme, unrequited love ("Swoon" and "Half Life").[ citation needed ] On 17 August 2009 Heap made the album available for live streaming via her webpage. [3] The album can no longer be streamed via her webpage but was moved to SoundCloud. [4]

Background

The album's title is taken from Heap's elliptical-shaped home in Essex, England wherein she began work on the project. The album's artwork was created using pictures from Flickr taken by fans. [5] She composed and wrote all of the songs on the album prior to recording them in the studio, and recorded all of the vocals for the album in one month. [6] During the making of the album, she frequently uploaded early studio mixes of its songs online in order to receive feedback from fans. [7]

In July 2009, a promotional copy of the album (designed by Andy Hau [8] ) appeared on eBay; Heap in return placed a bid of £10,000,000 to try to reclaim the album, which eBay rejected. [9] As of 8 July, eBay had ended the auction. [10] On 14 July, the first single "First Train Home" was released, and a digital pre-order for the album became available on iTunes in two versions.

The deluxe version includes instrumental tracks of the entire album. Both standard and deluxe editions feature a "Behind the scenes" video when pre-ordered. As the song "The Fire" is already an instrumental, the "instrumental" version on the Deluxe edition's second disc consists of just the crackling fire in the background of the song proper. The solo piano track, without the fire sounds, was included only on the Deluxe CD copy of the album, as a hidden track at the end of "Half Life"; digital copies omit this hidden track.[ citation needed ]

Composition

Many of the songs on Ellipse sample sounds recorded from around Heap's house, including the sound of water hitting the kitchen sink, a jack-in-the-box, and a banister. [5]

The song "Swoon" features a theremin-like sound, inspired by a tweet from a fan suggesting that she include a theremin on the album. [5] The instrumentation of "Tidal" includes a pitched-down flute played by Ashwin Srinivasan, acoustic guitar played by Heap, synths, and a Game Boy made into a makeshift keyboard by Heap's friend. The song also features vocals from Srinivasan. [5]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [11]
The A.V. Club C [12]
Billboard 3.5/5 [13]
The Boston Globe Favourable [14]
The Daily Telegraph Star full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [15]
The Guardian Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [16]
Paste 8.0/10 [17]
PopMatters Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [18]
Slant Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [19]
SputnikmusicStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [20]

Critical response to Ellipse was generally positive. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 68, based on 12 reviews. [21] It also earned her a further two Grammy Nominations on 2 December for Best Pop Instrumental Performance for "The Fire" and Best Engineered Non-Classical Album. On 31 January 2010, it was announced that Heap had won the latter award.

Commercial performance

As of 2011, the album had sold 161,000 copies in United States. [22]

Live performances

In October 2008, Heap travelled to America to perform at Pop!Tech in Camden, Maine. She performed the song 'Wait It Out' live, for the first time ever on 24 October. [23] The performance was recorded and released on Youtube.com the following day. [24] [25]

On 24 August 2009, Heap appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman (although the episode didn't air until the 28th) and performed "First Train Home". On her Twitter page, Imogen admitted that she messed up on the second line of the second verse during the performance.

The following day, on 25 August, Imogen headed to the WNYC Radio Station in New York to play "First Train Home" and "Half Life" on air and give a short interview. [26]

Track listing

All tracks are written by and produced by Imogen Heap, except where noted

Standard edition (Disc 1)
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."First Train Home" 4:13
2."Wait It Out" 3:57
3."Earth" 3:34
4."Little Bird" 4:07
5."Swoon" 3:54
6."Tidal" 3:50
7."Between Sheets"
  • Imogen Heap
  • Christiaan Virant
  • Zhang Jian
2:54
8."2-1" 4:42
9."Bad Body Double" 4:07
10."Aha!" 2:27
11."The Fire" 1:59
12."Canvas" 4:55
13."Half Life" 4:02
Total length:48:41
Japan bonus track
No.TitleLength
14."Not Now But Soon"3:46
Total length:52:27
Deluxe edition (Disc 2)
No.TitleLength
1."First Train Home" (instrumental)4:15
2."Wait It Out" (instrumental)3:47
3."Earth" (instrumental)3:35
4."Little Bird" (instrumental)4:08
5."Swoon" (instrumental)3:52
6."Tidal" (instrumental)3:51
7."Between Sheets" (instrumental)2:55
8."2-1" (instrumental)4:43
9."Bad Body Double" (instrumental)4:07
10."Aha!" (instrumental)2:27
11."The Fire" ("instrumental")1:57
12."Canvas" (instrumental)4:55
13."Half Life" (instrumental) / "The Fire" (piano instrumental; only on CD pressing)6:13
Total length:1:39:26
iTunes exclusive pre-order video
No.TitleLength
14."Behind the Scenes with Imogen"4:07

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal. [27]

Production

  • Jennie Hancock –projection production
  • Ewan Robertson –projection production
  • Andy Hau –logo
  • Mark Wood –management
  • Richard Bull –design
  • Annelieke Bosdijk –projections
  • Albert Q Bui –projections
  • Jessica Butler –projections
  • Alex Carmichal –projections
  • Randall Dameron –projections
  • J. Daniel Geddis –projections
  • Vladislav Gusarov –projections
  • Adriane Lake –projections
  • Nick Moulakis –projections
  • Nathan Nye –projections
  • Michelle Thomas –projections
  • Jeremy Cowart –photography

Charts

Release history

CountryDate
United Kingdom24 August 2009
France, Asia, US25 August 2009
Canada, Mexico, Japan2 September 2009
Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, Denmark,
Finland, Norway, Sweden, Czech Republic, Italy, Benelux, Greece		14 September 2009
Poland28 September 2009
Hungary, Australia19 February 2010 [37]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frou Frou (band)</span> English electronic duo

Frou Frou are an English electronic duo composed of musician Imogen Heap and producer/songwriter Guy Sigsworth. They released their only album, Details, in 2002. The duo wrote, produced, and played instruments on the tracks, while Heap also provided lead vocals. In 2004, they recorded a cover of "Holding Out for a Hero" by Bonnie Tyler, which was used in the credits of the 2004 film Shrek 2. Frou Frou amicably disbanded later that year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Imogen Heap</span> English musician and producer (born 1977)

Imogen Jennifer Jane Heap is an English musician, singer, songwriter and record producer. Her work has been considered pioneering in pop and electropop music.

<i>I Megaphone</i> 1998 studio album by Imogen Heap

I Megaphone is the debut studio album by British singer-songwriter Imogen Heap. It was released on 16 June 1998 by Almo Sounds. The album was primarily written by Heap, starting when she was 15 years old, with co-writing from Guy Sigsworth and Fil Eisler. It was first produced and recorded solely by Heap and Dave Stewart, and it was subsequently re-recorded alongside producers David Kahne and Guy Sigsworth. It is an alternative rock record with largely confessional lyricism, addressing themes ranging from adolescent drug use and revenge to perseverance and religion. The album's title is an anagram of "Imogen Heap".

<i>Speak for Yourself</i> 2005 studio album by Imogen Heap

Speak for Yourself is the second studio album by English singer Imogen Heap. It was released on 18 July 2005 in the United States. The album was written, produced, arranged, and funded by Heap, without the backing of a record label, and features guest appearances from Jeff Beck, who provides a guitar solo on "Goodnight and Go", and Heap's ex-boyfriend, Richie Mills, who argues with her on "The Moment I Said It". Heap began working on Speak for Yourself following her collaborative effort with Guy Sigsworth as Frou Frou.

<i>A Girl Like Me</i> (Rihanna album) 2006 studio album by Rihanna

A Girl Like Me is the second studio album by Barbadian singer Rihanna. It was released on April 10, 2006, by Def Jam Recordings. For the production of the album, Rihanna worked with Evan Rogers, Carl Sturken, Stargate, J. R. Rotem, and label-mate Ne-Yo, who wrote the album's second single. A Girl Like Me is a pop and reggae album influenced by Rihanna's Caribbean roots. The album also incorporates elements of dancehall and rock, as well as ballads, which music critics were ambivalent towards.

<i>BDay</i> 2006 studio album by Beyoncé

B'Day is the second solo studio album by American singer-songwriter Beyoncé. It was released on August 31, 2006, by Columbia Records, Music World Entertainment and Sony Urban Music. Originally set to be released in 2004, B'Day was planned as a follow-up to Beyoncé's solo debut Dangerously in Love (2003). However, it was delayed to accommodate the recording of Destiny's Child's final studio album Destiny Fulfilled (2004) and Beyoncé's starring role in the 2006 film Dreamgirls. While on vacation after filming Dreamgirls, Beyoncé began contacting various producers and rented Sony Music Studios, completing the album within two weeks during April 2006. Most of the lyrical content of the album was inspired by Beyoncé's role in the film, with its musical style ranging from 1970s–1980s funk influences and balladry to urban contemporary elements such as hip hop, pop, and R&B. Live instrumentation was employed in recording most of the tracks as part of Beyoncé's vision of creating a record using live instruments.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hide and Seek (Imogen Heap song)</span> 2005 single by Imogen Heap

"Hide and Seek" is a song recorded by English singer Imogen Heap and released in 2005 as the first single from her second album Speak for Yourself. Written and produced by Heap, the a cappella folktronica ballad heavily uses the harmonizer and describes painfully losing someone due to a breakup or a divorce.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Goodnight and Go</span> Song by Imogen Heap

"Goodnight and Go" is a song by English singer-songwriter Imogen Heap, the second single from her 2005 album Speak for Yourself. The lyrics of the song describe the "devastation of having a crush." The single received a little more push and promotion in the US than "Hide and Seek", and the music video received airplay on VH1. Jeff Beck plays guitar on the track.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">First Train Home</span> 2009 single by Imogen Heap

"First Train Home" is a song by British singer/songwriter Imogen Heap, and the only single off her third solo album Ellipse.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Whatcha Say</span> 2009 single by Jason Derulo

"Whatcha Say" is the debut single by American artist Jason Derulo for his self-titled debut album. It dropped for digital download on Cinco Dé Mayo 2009, and officially released as a single on August 4 of the same year. The track creatively reinterprets the bridge from Imogen Heap's 2005 hit "Hide and Seek," prominently featuring its chorus. Produced by J.R. Rotem with extra touches from German producer Fuego, the song enjoyed a week at the top of the Billboard Hot 100.

<i>Jason Derulo</i> (album) 2010 studio album by Jason Derulo

Jason Derulo is the debut studio album by American singer Jason Derulo, released on February 26, 2010. The album was produced by J.R. Rotem and features the hit singles, "Whatcha Say", which reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100; "In My Head" and "Ridin' Solo", which marks Derulo's third consecutive number-one in the UK R&B Chart.

<i>Speak Now</i> 2010 studio album by Taylor Swift

Speak Now is the third studio album by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. It was released on October 25, 2010, by Big Machine Records. Swift wrote the album entirely herself while touring in 2009–2010 to reflect on her transition from adolescence to adulthood.

<i>Femme Fatale</i> (Britney Spears album) 2011 studio album by Britney Spears

Femme Fatale is the seventh studio album by American singer Britney Spears. It was released on March 25, 2011, by Jive Records, and was her last album with the label before they shut down later in October of the same year as she was moved to RCA Records. Musically, Spears wanted to make a "fresh-sounding" and "fierce dance album", thus incorporating dance-pop, electropop, EDM and synth-pop styles with elements of dubstep, techno and electro in its sound. Spears began working on the album during the second leg of her tour The Circus Starring Britney Spears (2009), while also contributing to her second greatest hits album The Singles Collection (2009). Spears collaborated with various producers including Max Martin, Dr. Luke, Fraser T Smith, Rodney Jerkins, Bloodshy, will.i.am, Stargate, and Travis Barker.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Imogen Heap discography</span>

The discography of Imogen Heap consists of four studio albums, three extended plays, one compilation album, two soundtrack album, 32 singles, eight promotional singles, and twelve music videos.

<i>Talk That Talk</i> 2011 studio album by Rihanna

Talk That Talk is the sixth studio album by Barbadian singer Rihanna. It was released on November 18, 2011 by Def Jam Recordings and SRP Records. Talk That Talk was recorded during the Loud Tour between February and November 2011. It was originally planned to be a reissue of her previous studio album Loud (2010). As executive producer, Rihanna enlisted a wide range of producers including Alex da Kid, Calvin Harris, Chase & Status, No I.D., and Stargate to achieve her desired sound. Following in the same vein as Loud, Talk That Talk is a dance-oriented pop/R&B crossover album that incorporates elements of hip hop, dubstep, electronic and house music. The album also contains subtle dancehall influences while its lyrical content and themes revolve around a nihilistic, romantic, and lascivious lover.

<i>Sparks</i> (Imogen Heap album) 2014 studio album by Imogen Heap

Sparks is the fourth studio album by English singer Imogen Heap, released on 19 August 2014 through Megaphonic Records in the United Kingdom and through RCA Records in the United States. Recorded between 2011 and 2014 across four different continents, with a new song being written and released every three months, it was primarily written and produced by Heap, with additional writing and production from collaborators Deadmau5, Vishal–Shekhar, and B.o.B, as well as production from Nick Ryan.

"Just for Now" is a song by English recording artist and producer Imogen Heap, from her second studio album, Speak for Yourself (2005). Written and produced by Heap, the song was originally written for the second-season episode of the television series The O.C. entitled "The Chrismukkah That Almost Wasn't", but was deemed too dark for the episode. "Just for Now" is an electronica song about a constant mayhem within a holiday environment, in which the singer sings to set aside the disarray for a short time of peace. Heap has performed the song in live performances, which she invites the audience to participate on it. "Just for Now" was covered by American recording artist Kelly Clarkson, for her sixth studio album Wrapped in Red (2013). Her version of the song, produced by Greg Kurstin, musically quotes the Christmas standard "Carol of the Bells" and was met with positive reviews. The song was also sampled in Clams Casino's composition "I'm God", featured on both Instrumentals and Lil B's 6 Kiss, and was covered by Pentatonix on their 2015 deluxe edition of their Christmas album That's Christmas to Me.

"Clean" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, taken from her fifth studio album, 1989 (2014). Written and produced by Swift and the British musician Imogen Heap, the track is a steady soft rock, dream pop, and synth-folk ballad with an electronic production. Its lyrics depict difficulty in letting go of a broken relationship.

<i>The Fool</i> (Ryn Weaver album) 2015 studio album by Ryn Weaver

The Fool is the only studio album by American singer and songwriter Ryn Weaver. It was released on June 16, 2015 by Mad Love and Interscope Records. The debut single, "OctaHate", was released on August 8, 2014. The album was made available to stream for free at the iTunes Store on June 9, 2015.

<i>Cheap Queen</i> 2019 studio album by King Princess

Cheap Queen is the debut studio album by American pop singer-songwriter King Princess, released on October 25, 2019, through Mark Ronson's imprint of Columbia Records, Zelig Records. A deluxe edition of the album with five additional tracks was released on February 14, 2020. Straus began a tour in support of the album on September 20, 2019.

References

  1. ↑ "Ellipse | News". Imogen Heap. Archived from the original on 26 February 2012. Retrieved 15 February 2012.
  2. ↑ Songfacts
  3. ↑ "Ellipse | News". Imogen Heap. Archived from the original on 27 February 2012. Retrieved 15 February 2012.
  4. ↑ "Ellipse Album on SoundCloud". Imogen Heap. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Block, Melissa (1 September 2009). "Imogen Heap: Even The Kitchen Sink". NPR. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
  6. ↑ Barker, Chris (Autumn 2009). "In The Studio: Imogen Heap". Future Music . No. 219. Future Publishing. pp. 42–48. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
  7. ↑ Morris, Jeremy Wade (2015). Selling Digital Music, Formatting Culture. Oakland, California: University of California Press. p. 208. ISBN   978-0-520-96293-4. JSTOR   10.1525/j.ctv1xxx9f.
  8. ↑ "Imogen Heap". Andyhau.com. Archived from the original on 17 March 2012. Retrieved 15 February 2012.
  9. ↑ Kernohan, Marcus. "Imogen Heap in £10m bid… for her own CD". stereokill.net. Archived from the original on 28 August 2009. Retrieved 15 February 2012.
  10. ↑ Fusilli, Jim (8 July 2009). "With Help From Fans, British Music Star Imogen Heap Solves an eBay Crisis". The Wall Street Journal.
  11. ↑ Ellipse at AllMusic
  12. ↑ Koski, Genevieve (25 August 2009). "Imogen Heap: Ellipse · Music Review · The A.V. Club". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
  13. ↑ Mason, Kerri. "Review: Imogen Heap, "Ellipse"". Billboard . Retrieved 27 August 2018.
  14. ↑ "Imogen Heap, 'Ellipse' - The Boston Globe". Boston.com. 24 August 2009. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
  15. ↑ Culture (24 August 2009). "Imogen Heap: Ellipse, CD review". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
  16. ↑ Sullivan, Caroline (14 August 2009). "Review: Imogen Heap, Ellipse (Megaphonic)". Film & Music (14 August 2009). London: Guardian Media Group: 9. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
  17. ↑ duBrowa, Corey. "Review: Imogen Heap, "Ellipse"" . Retrieved 27 August 2009.
  18. ↑ Lyndal, Erin. "Imogen Heap: Ellipse". PopMatters. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
  19. ↑ "Music". Slant Magazine. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
  20. ↑ "Imogen Heap - Ellipse (album review 3)". Sputnikmusic. 19 August 2009. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
  21. ↑ "Ellipse Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More at Metacritic". Metacritic.com. Retrieved 15 February 2012.
  22. ↑ Lipshultz, Jason (28 March 2011). "Imogen Heap Talks New Album, Fan-Created First Song". Billboard. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
  23. ↑ "Twitter / Imogen Heap: wow.. what an amazing day!". Twitter.com. 23 October 2008. Retrieved 15 February 2012.
  24. ↑ "imogen heap - wait it out (live at pop!tech) (with lyrics)". YouTube. 21 February 2009. Archived from the original on 20 December 2021. Retrieved 15 February 2012.
  25. ↑ "Imogen Heap PopTech performance". YouTube. Archived from the original on 20 December 2021. Retrieved 15 February 2012.
  26. ↑ "Imogen performs 'First Train Home' and 'Half Life' live on WNYC's Soundcheck". New York City, NY, USA. 25 August 2009. Archived from the original on 17 August 2009.
  27. ↑ "Ellipse / Imogen Heap". Tidal.
  28. ↑ "Imogen Heap Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
  29. ↑ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  30. ↑ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  31. ↑ "Imogen Heap Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
  32. ↑ "Imogen Heap Chart History (Top Dance/Electronic Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
  33. ↑ "Imogen Heap Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
  34. ↑ "Imogen Heap Chart History (Top Alternative Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
  35. ↑ "Top Dance/Electronic Albums – Year-End 2009". Billboard. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  36. ↑ "Top Dance/Electronic Albums – Year-End 2010". Billboard. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  37. ↑ "Ellipse | Music , Music Genres, Pop/Rock : JB HI-FI". Jbhifionline.com.au. 19 February 2010. Archived from the original on 22 October 2012. Retrieved 15 February 2012.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.