I loved Imogen Heap when she was in Frou Frou with Guy Sigsworth with her ethereal voice entwinining itself round the synth & bass music. Despite the fact that 'Speak for yourself' was the album that catapulted her to the public's attention, for me it was only so-so with Hide and Seek as the best track. Ellipse, however, captivated right from the first track 'First train home' to the last track 'Half-life'. What I loved about Frou frou was the bare, heart-felt vocals of Imogen Heap weaving its way through the electronica, mesmerising and lullingly beautiful. Similarly in Ellipse, one gets a sense of deja-vu - Heap's hypnotic spell and more as she envelopes you with lush melodies wrapped around her heart-achingly, Swedenborgian-like vocals.

Imogen Heap is one of those people. She's weird. But throughout the album, an inherent capacity for brilliant songwriting flows. All of the tracks sound different from the music box-esque Wait it Out, the acapella Earth and the dance number Swoon excite and taunt. The song 2-1 which was meant to be in a Narnia film but was deemed too dark is the pinnacle of the album for me. It's songwriting gold. Aha! reminds me of Tim Burton - it's dark and moody but quirky enough to remain at the forefront of the album. The lead song First Train Home is just as good as the rest. However, a couple of songs fail to deliver. Through the loudness and electronic beats of the album, Little Bird and Half-Life seem to dwindle by the fire. And its a shame. They are the most precious of the album. The album is an Ellipse in itself. It starts of light then dark and arrives full circle. It's a great album and I hope Immi continues down this road. Her #heapsongs seems to continue this trend but a more worldly tone.

This album is completely inspirational. Its like nothing I've heard before, the songs are really well written and very creative, twinned with the fact that Imogen Heap has recorded and produced the album herself, this brings a whole different kind of appreciation I have for this record!

It is a great album and cannot recommend it more.

She's definately a very talented singer-songwriter, producer etc. Bad body trouble is probably the best.

Not an album thats easy to get into on the first few listens..There's so much going on and no obvious big chorus lines or typical pop signitures. But do 'Wait it out'..in time these songs will work there way into your head. And whats not to like?.. great lyrics, faultless prodution and sweeping sounds. It's massive and contains a few new Heap classics like 'Canvas' and 'First train Home'.

While there are many songs on Imogen Heap's newest musical offering are beautifully and delicately constructed, somehow the overall sound of "Ellipse" falls flat next to the solidity of her previous albums (including her collaboration as Frou Frou). It is not, fair, perhaps to compare, and it's true that this is not a backwards step for Heap - but some of the songs here lack the depth and craft that were so evident on "Speak for Yourself" and even "iMegaphone". Admittedly, some of the songs are simply not to my taste, which does not make them bad - but I can't help but feel cheated at their seeming lack of direction. "2-1" makes a promising intro, for instance, only to stumble onwards in a decidedly lacklustre fashion, and though both "Little Bird" and "Bad Body Double" are the sweetest of ear candy to begin with, after a few listens sound rinsed and even slightly irritating.

However, all is not lost, and it's Heap's perfectionist production and beautiful voice that save this album from the mediocre - there ARE several extraordinary songs on here. "First Train Home" is a tasty opener and "Earth"'s wonderful mixing vocals are easy to get lost in. I'm quite taken with "Between Sheets" and "The Fire" which are both wonderful in their way but are eclipsed by the majesty of the album's closers: "Canvas" and "Half Life" which make the wait for this album completely worthwhile.

It took 2 years and 3 months for Imogen to create this album, but I think it was definitley worth the effort. She has put her all into it and although she had to get help from different musicians, she wrote it all herself and that makes the album a complete expression of her as a person and of her personality. Every single song stands out as an experience in its own right, with "Tidal" being my personal favourite. Definitley worth a listen or 5, it's brilliant.

There are some standout tracks, but I think it shows no development - and just seems to be a continuation of her last album - she's not strayed from the well worn path. I think Imogen could have been a bit braver -stylistically. There's a danger of becoming predictable. The final half of the album is more interesting than the first half, unusually - I love Half Life, Canvas and Aha.

Reinvention of her own wheel is seriously needed for the next record.

I'm bowled over. Truelly well worth the wait!

Thankyou Imogen. You've clearly laboured over this beautiful masterpiece with your usual love and tenderness.

Can't wait for the tour!

Please reform Frou Frou. This album is dreadful. I can't tell one track from the next (mostly). It takes her further down the road of girly, milky, mooning, musical musings and la-la-la-ing with an 'ickle tinkly thing in the background; so far away from the luscious, distinctive, rhythms of FF. This feels like she didn't know what to do... and then did it anyway. Very disappointing.

Imogen Heap must be one of the most uniquely talented and unique sounding artists in the UK right now and this album is no less than stunning. Her haunting vocals twist and turn over multi-layered electronic harmonies that sway effortlesly from intimate ambience to soul-piercing, almost operatic, crescendo. Defying self-indulgence, the lyrics are thoughtful and poignant while soft piano, violin and a touch of guitar brilliance from Nitin Sawhney (on Canvas) provide the backdrop to the more low-key numbers. Somehow simultaneously evoking both the melancholic and the ecstastic, Imogen Heap has created a dreamy, lustful masterpiece that oozes warmth while sending shivers down your spine. It's quite an achievement.

I have listened to this album none stop since Monday morning and I can find no fault. Imogen is absolutely flawless yet again. This will be played on my ipod without a breather for months to come.

If you love Imogens old stuff, you WON'T like this. I was majorly dissappointed with this album, truely honest its just noise at most points. Only a couple of classic songs, I hope the next album will be better!

I was slightly worried about this album because I thought it was in threat of being over produced. Some song on this album are slick such as 'earth' and 'swoon' but they sit nicely with others such as 'little bird' and 'half life' which are little more raw. Instant favourites were 'first train home' and 'tidal'. Then the growers have been 'swoon', 'little bird' and 'between the sheets'. My favourite song at the moment is 'Canvas' it is a masterpeice...... I love the way 'bad body double' has been produced, really nice to listen to......I have only listened to this album a handful of times, but I feel like there is more to explore, and Im sure this album will continue giving.

I've loved Imogen since Frou Frou. Her honest lyrics and bravery in trying sounds and music are compelling. This album is worth every penny and while it does not hold the place in my heart that speak for yourself does yet, it's making it's way there with every play.

whoever thinks this is her second album is sorely mistaken i-megaphone is her debut, and then she went on to work on Frou Frou with guy sigsworth. this is most definitely her most complete album to date, adult and intellectual without being patronising. she has excelled on the arrangments and beats created, however it is not as listenable as some of her other efforts.

Having had three days to soak up the goodness that is Imogen Heap; one of the most striking things is the lack of synthetic sound. It's honest, yet veraciously complicated. She offers a compelling challenge with her lyrics as I tried to liken my own stories to her experiences. The words to Half Life are particularly palpable. First Train Home, Swoon, Tidal, Aha! Are amazing too. Slightly padded, but irresistable melodies.

I bought Speak for Yourself after seeing Imogen Heap on Letterman ( I happened to be in NY on a weekend break and was in the audience). It's a great album which got better each time I heard it - easily the most played on my iPod - and i'm looking forward to more of the same for this 3rd album (not the second whoever wrote that). Didn't get on too well with I Megaphone though, maybe I'll give it another listen.

Fresh from finally finishing her home Studio, expectations ran high for this Essex Singer Songwriter's first release in four years. Thankfully, the wait has been worth it, as this is the most mature sounding album from the former Frou Frou member.

Stand out tracks on Ellipse include the current single 'First Train Home', 'Earth' and the decidedly contemplative Canvas.

Other people have compared her music with Alanis Morissette, but her inventiveness manages to surpass anything Alanis Morisette produced, often using unexpected instruments from the usual electronic synths and drums. Heap's vocals are warm and inviting and quite personal whilst the musicically complex soundscape manages to evoke a cinematic atmosphere.