ISSA - review added 20th October 2011
Album Review: The Storm (2011)
For fans of: Hard Rock
Norwegian singer Isabell 'Issa' Oversveen released her debut album on Frontiers Records last year. "Signs Of Angels" was absolutely brilliant and comfortably the best female fronted rock album I'd heard in years. Be in no doubt, "The Storm" has a lot to live up to...and that's kind of the problem...
The thing is, "The Storm" is actually a very good album. Again arguably the best female fronted album I've heard this year. However, it doesn't even equal, never mind trump the debut and that's a disappointment. The performances are still first class - the musicianship is great, and Issa's singing is simply breathtaking - but the songs lack that last degree of bite. There aren't enough huge choruses or big hooks to do her voice justice.
Of the songs, the opener 'Looking For Love' is in the right ballpark, as is the big ballad 'Invincible', the racy 'Black Clouds', the brooding 'Gonna Stand By You', and the other big ballad 'Too Late For Love'. None of them match the best few tracks from the debut though, and the remaining songs are all enjoyable but missing that last ounce of perfection.
In Summation:
This difficult second album is actually pretty good by most normal measures and has plenty of fine songs, but Issa set the bar so high first time round this was always likely to be a weaker follow-up. Still, it's not far off being an essential purchase.
Entertainment/Enjoyment:
Musicianship:
Vocals:
Song Writing:
Production:
Overall (Not An Average Of The Above):
Track List:
01. Looking For Love
02. Please Hold On
03. Take A Stand
04. Invincible
05. Two Hearts
06. Black Clouds
07. You're Making Me
08. Gonna Stand By You
09. We’re On Fire
10. Too Late For Love
11. What Does It Take
12. The Storm
Band/Performers:
Issa (Isabell Oversveen) - Lead vocals
Daniel Flores - drums
Other Info:
Produced by Daniel Flores
Label: Frontiers Records
Artist's website(s): Issa
