LeAnn Rimes - Spitfire

Rating - 5/5

LeAnn Rimes is best known in the UK for her hits 'How Do I Live' and 'Can't Fight The Moonlight', but over the last couple of years the other side of the Atlantic have overshadowed her musical success with a heavy presence in the tabloids for her extra-marital affair.

Having soared to success at the tender age of 13, Rimes married her first husband - former backing dancer Dean Shermet - at the equally tender age of 20.

Far from a whirlwind affair, Rimes and Shermet's floundered after 7 years when Rimes was found to be having an affair with her 'Northern Lights' co-star Eddie Cibrian - who at the time was still married to Brandi Granville.

Though Rimes is now officially Mrs Cibrian, her husband's fame hungry ex has ensured that Rimes' name has been well and truly dragged through the mud. Having stayed tight lipped on the subject of her betrayal, Rimes uses her latest release 'Spitfire' to finally tell her side of the story.

Declaring the record her coming-of-age release, 'Spitfire' is without doubt Rimes' most mature and most impressive release to date. A brutally honest affair, Rimes veers away from criticism, instead focussing on the confused emotions within which she was so thoroughly embroiled.

Far from overtly sentimental, 'Spitfire' is a strikingly open affair, with Rimes openly shouldering the blame and uttering apology, while simultaneously professing love.

A far cry from 2002's 'Twisted Angel', which was hailed as the former child star's first coming of age, 'Spitfire' feels effortless.

Where the testing 'Tic Toc' felt as if Rimes had a point to prove about her sexual prowess, 'What Have I Done' demonstrates a realisation that sexuality is far from the centre of her universe.

Equally notable is the spell binding 'Borrowed', which deals cuttingly with her affair.

As the other lady in Cibrian's life, Rimes pointedly refers to her new love's former love without an air of malice. While the subject matter may be testing for the listener, the delivery is tender and moving.

'Spitfire' is far from a light hearted listen, but that is not a bad thing. While a lot of Rimes' earlier work displayed her vocal prowess, the delivery often overshadowed an attempt to be accepted into the mainstream.

By being propelled into the tabloids for truly personal reasons, Rimes has been forced to respond with the truth - a move which provokes an honest, open release that offers real insight into an undeniable force of unforgettable musical prowess.

'Spitfire' is a sensational release that will hopefully re-shape and relaunch Rimes as the superstar she deserves to be.

You might also like to read our follow-on article "A Chat With Lean Rimes"