Norweigan-turned-Brit, Issa returns with her fourth solo album; following up the patchy Can’t Stop, which was comprised of classic (and obscure) AOR covers.
I’ve found Issa a bit hit and miss after her memorable 2010 debut. I’ve found the balance of image over style a little too much in favor of the less important image at times, but all is forgiven with Crossfire. Despite the glammed up image again front and center, this time the style is matched with substance in the form of 11 very appealing songs. This album might just be her best effort yet.
Credit must go to the new lineup used, bringing in Vega’s James Martin – Keyboards and Tom Martin - bass and Guitars; plus drummer Michael Cruise has given the album more of a band feel - and a good band at that.
The extended time taken to gather the best set of songs also pays off, showcased immediately with the glorious title track opener Crossfire, which I probably will rate as my favourite Issa track to date.
New Horizon offers something a little smoother and moodier before the monster ballad Raintown blows us away.
Steve Overland guests on the song as a duet – but it is his opening lines that simply stun. His vocal gift is extraordinary. Issa joins in to deliver a passionate and powerful co-lead.
Long Time Coming is one of the more urgent tracks on offer; Fight Fire With Rain is a very catchy straight ahead AOR hit and Heartbeat cranks the tempo and throws in a nice anthemic catchy hook.
The album continues without offering filler, Red Lights and Only You delivering the best chorus hooks of the last section of the album.
Fans of female fronted melodic rock and straight forward classic AOR with a Scandi/British twist should fall over themselves to get a hold of this.
It’s one of my favourite female lead albums in recent years.
