ISSA - review added 30th August 2010
Album Review: Signs Of Angels (2010)
For fans of: Modern Rock... and superb new singers
Looking at the cover art for this album it would be easy to dismiss it as sold on the looks of singer. Yes, Isabell 'Issa' Oversveen isn't the worst looking vocalist ever, and Frontiers Records are using her sexual allure as much as possible, but the good news is she has got a fine set of lungs on her and the music on this debut album more than justifies any hype she may receive.
Issa, from Oslo in Norway, worked on "Signs Of Angels" with producer Ronny Milianowicz (Saint Deamon) and musicians including Peter Huss on guitar, Uli Kusch (ex Masterplan, Helloween) on drums, Nobby Noberg on bass and Tim Larsson (Nick Lachey) on keyboards. Songwriting contributions come from Joacim Cans (Hammerfall), Thomas Vickstrom (Candlemass), Daniel Flores (TMOMS), Soren Kronkvist (Crash the System) and many more.
The sound is both classic and contemporary, mixing the rocking vibe of Treat, a symphonic element not dissimilar to Saint Deamon, and the modern chart-bothering style of Avril Lavigne, Lady Ga Ga, Leanne Rimes and more. The result borders on superb, and to be honest I'm surprised and impressed that Issa has signed to a proper rock label because I'm sure she could have got in with a major. This record has tons of sales potential.
'Angels Crying' suffers from a modicum of lyrical cliche, but it's still a better song than you'll hear on most other albums. 'I'm Alive' was chosen for the album's first video. It's not hard to see why. It's an achingly catchy track that successfully melds fun rock and big pop. Very commercial, but still with balls. 'Give Me A Sign' is an amalgam of country rocker, ballad, and chilled pop track. It isn't quite as good as the first two, but is still more than okay by most measures. 'River Of Love' is another emotive entry. I can definitely imagine it doing good things on the radio.
'What Can I Do' again is on the slower side, but with a big rock feel behind it. Great track. 'Closer' then heads off down a complete tangent. It's very poppy without forgetting its heavier roots, and manages to be achingly catchy and fantastically interesting. 'Unbelievable' is the album's BIG ballad, and stunning it is too. If this got decent airplay on the big radio stations, it could be on every chart across the globe. 'How Will I Know' is a big hitter that mixes crashing rhythms with dance elements and fat guitars. Initially it sounds a tad staid, but when that chorus kicks in it all makes sense.
'As I Live And Breathe' is a cool effort, Perhaps not amongst the best on the album, but solid and rocking nonetheless. 'Flying High' is nice dreamy song that would make for an interesting video. I can imagine it making a good dance track with a few tweaks. 'It's Not Me' is a sweet slower song, again finding a good line between gritty rock and friendly pop. The bass-heavy 'Fallen Angel' closes the album in style, making it 12 out of 12 good tracks.
There is no doubt about it, "Signs Of Angels" is great. This is one of the finest female-fronted albums for a long time and deserves all the success it gets.
Check out... All of it.
Track List:
01. Angels Crying
02. I'm Alive
03. Give Me A Sign
04. River Of Love
05. What Can I Do
06. Closer
07. Unbelievable
08. How Will I Know
09. As I Live And Breathe
10. Flying High
11. It's Not Me
12. Fallen Angel
Label: Frontiers Records
Artist's website(s): Issa
