Ellipse
by Imogen Heap
  • Record Label: RCA
  • Release Date: Aug 25, 2009
Metascore
68

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. AllMusic
    80
    Ellipse is some of her most wide-ranging work, physically and musically speaking.
  2. Boston Globe
    80
    Mostly, though, Ellipse delivers an inventive yet intimate batch of laptop-pop gems.
  3. Slant Magazine
    80
    Underneath all the blatant expressionism, Heap is just a lovesick Brit who sings of swooning crushes, petal-picking, and brokenhearted romances. It is that exact lovestruck normalcy that makes Ellipse so endearing.
  5. The Guardian
    80
    This beguiling third album deserves to be her breakthrough moment, though the absence of an obvious 'Hide and Seek'-style focal point may hinder its chances.
  6. Paste Magazine
    80
    On Ellipse she presents mini-symphonies of herself, with vocoders and Auto-Tuned versions of her helium-filled voice floating in and out of songs that glide--the amazing 'Canvas,' the magic patchwork quilt of 'Earth'--more than they drive.
  7. Filter
    72
    Her voice, by turns flighty and forlorn, has an honest personality often missing in pop. [Summer 2009, p.98]
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  8. Billboard
    70
    The prolific singer/songwriter has reacted to the licensing feast surrounding "Speak for Yourself" ("The OC," "So You Think You Can Dance," Verizon advertisements) with a stronger focus on song structure and melody on Ellipse.
  9. PopMatters
    70
    Now and then strings peek out, gently accenting the soaring vocals. ['Half Life is] a fitting close for an album of such quiet elegance.
  10. musicOMH.com
    60
    If you're a fan of her previous work, or even just like some good old-fashioned, earnestly well-crafted songs, then this is an honourable addition to the genre.
  11. Observer Music Monthly
    60
    Very modern, even if her pleasing sound never pushes real boundaries.
  12. Q Magazine
    60
    Ellipse is typically facinating and frustrating. [Oct 2009, p.112]
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  13. The A.V. Club
    50
    The result is a muddled collection of gently electronic pop that vacillates between mildly engaging and outright boring, a prime candidate for scoring teen TV dramas and stocking Starbucks shelves.
  14. Alternative Press
    50
    Ellipse is balanced but doesn't break ground. Fans of her past work will likely find little to quarrel with, but they won't be challenged, either. [Sep 2009, p.105]
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  15. Hot Press
    50
    Ho-hum third record from brit chanteuse.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 40 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 33 out of 40
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 40
  3. Negative: 1 out of 40
  1. Wnard
    Sep 20, 2009
    10
    Lovely! Honestly, since I've been listening to her new album Ellipse, I've never even bothered to check out other female artists Lovely! Honestly, since I've been listening to her new album Ellipse, I've never even bothered to check out other female artists because I know she's always the best and I'll never get bored of her songs. NEVER, especially her new album! The album is well written. For example Swoon '' let me be the great scott, tip top pit stop in your ocean, I could be the shipmates wife, got you down and dirty with the lotion' made me smile and even laugh for quite awhile. Besides Swoon, Bad Body Double is a success! The song is about her feeling self-concious of her body, feeling low self-esteem and how she hates her body.. not to forget, the beats are so unique that it makes me think, where the heck does Imogen got the idea to slap her own buttocks and record it using garage band? WOW. Canvas, is the best music ever written by Imogen Heap. The mixes of piano and guitar are just tperfect and the video, actually made me cry PLUS it's my lullaby! I DON'T really like The Fire though... Furthermore, Earth makes me want to dance like a crazy girl all day long hehehe. 2-1 ( polyfilla) is stuck in my mind. Especially the intro and the chorus of the song. This song is also a success because the song has a perfect combination of cello and other weird and cool sounds but at the same time you can listen it even if you're utterly tired from work or school and just want to lay on the bed for awhile. In conclusion, her new album is GREAT!… Full Review »
  2. BenG
    Aug 30, 2009
    10
    Heap is a genius. The best thing out of merry old England since McCartney. Impeccable attention to detail in every song, weaving her Heap is a genius. The best thing out of merry old England since McCartney. Impeccable attention to detail in every song, weaving her sparkling, sensous layers. She not only shows mastery in every genre of music she touches, but has created a new one in the process. At least one. It's also clear she wasn't concerned about what any promoters thought. This music is totally hers. When a true artistic genius opens their faucet, this is the result. Imogen Heap is God's latest gift to music!!… Full Review »
  3. AlexF
    Aug 29, 2009
    10
    If any single person would watch all 40 vblogs, they would invariably agree that the care and love Imogen has put into this album is unrivaled.
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