• Here's another song basically by the same girl that deserves its own post. Psychobabble is actually by Frou Frou, but Frou Frou was Imogen Heap's former band. She takes the same role in both, as far as I can tell, as singer and songwriter. In her Frou Frou years, I'm sure she had some help with the songwriting, but I don't sense much difference personally. Anyway, Psychobabble has a hint of a "stalker" vibe, but that could very well be what makes it so cool. I don't take credit for these ideas personally, but it sounds like she's singing one side of the conversation between her and her stalker. "How did you get this number?/ . . . Of course you're not coming over/ . . . I never gave out those signs/You misunderstood all meaning." To me, she's speaking to someone who assumed that she was open to his advances. She's confused about how he got her number - that has stalker written all over it. The other train of thought - that she's pushing away her current love because he's getting to emotionally close - is quite plausible, though. "Cause I don't know how long I can hold my heart in two" is the best example. Is there a stalker/lover hybrid I could agree with fully? Past that, Psychobabble is just technically beautiful. It's given a dark aura by the bells or chimes at the beginning; combined with the minor key and the slightly menacing lyrics, it drops you into a mood. The little foreshadowing she employs in the pre-chorus (where she sings the next few words in the background) is amazing, as is the musical noise (I can't explain that - I hope you get my meaning) that fills up the background and enriches the whole piece. Imogen Heap/Frou Frou understands harmony in ways that I could never fathom - it's practically miraculous. I consider myself a fairly good backup/harmony singer, but the odd seconds and minors she employs are pleasing to the ear and dischordant at the same time. That takes skill.

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