Chris Isaak - Speak of the Devil

Chris Isaak rocks? Indeed. Granted, the crooner's latest is no noisy, post-grunge Nirvana (though the chord progression of the opener, "Please," recalls Kurt Cobain's "Heart-Shaped Box"), but Devil does find Isaak loosening up. His gut-busting vocals on the free-for-all title track are as near to reckless as we're ever going to hear him. He's also toughening up, growling around his lower register in the death-inflected "Black Flowers." The backing band Silvertone kicks up its heels as well, most infectiously on the gleefully two-steppin' "I'm Not Sleepy." Of course, Isaak's signature shivery, quivering, and wistful ballads remain. And the singer still has a winning way with an unshakable melody. Armed with guitarist Hershel Yatovitz's poignant picking, only Isaak could turn a tired platitude like "Don't Get So Down on Yourself" into a true tearjerker. --Sue VanHecke Amazon.com

Good Set

Many good songs on this album, though very little of the intensity of the early albums, what made Chris Isaak unique. "Wanderin'" comes close, and also describes the record a bit. Very good, but not compelling. August 28, 2007

Love it

I enjoy his music alot. This CD is a little harder for me to like right away but after listening to it a few times. I get it and enjoy it. It was one of the last CD's I bought of his music. I have all his CD's now. May 13, 2007

It`s nearly up there, but it`s not devilsh enough for a 5 star.

Chris Isaak seldom makes a cd that lacks atmosphere. This one has a whole of it, but there are some minor letdown`s to not make this an another masterpiece as his debut album. Track 1 Please is anyway a song in the right direction. His very malesounding voice is pushed forward in the soundpicture, and the song is very atmospheric. Track 2 Flying has much of the same atmospheric temperature, with his voice "wispersinging" into your heart and soul. It goes from high notes to low notes without any problems. Track 3 Walk slow "walkalong" in a very "cool tempo", but has to little variations to make it unforgetable. Track 4 Breaking apart has too much of everything, and it`s very repeating in it`s narrative form. Track 5 This time, is a little gem, with a very enjoyable structure, that make`s you happy. It`s easy to remember, and a song to humm too. Track 6 Speak of the devil, is not devilsh enough, but it has a certain atmosphere too make it a quality listen. Track 7 Like the way she moves, moves not in my direction, but it`s certainly ok, but nothin` special. Track 8 Wanderin it`s one of the weakest tracks on the CD. It never takes off, and you think that you have heard the same theme before on other tracks. Too much cliches in a way. Track 9 Don`t get so down on yourself, has a certain shimmer, but the shimmering is not too bright and light too make it a Isaak classic. Track 10 Black Flowers is a great one, and realy takes control with it`s cold and atmospheric vocal that makes you shiver between "heaven and hell" sometimes here and there. Track 11 I`m not sleepy, is a rocker which rock and roll you back and forward in a good tempo. Track 12 Lonley Nights is a another letdown. It`s too slow, and begins and ends in "neverland". Track 13 Talkin bout home, has a certain sting. The voice and the rythmic section is ok, but that`s what it`s song is all about when it comes down to the point. Track 14 Super Magic 2000, has shoots, birds singing, and a rock & roll classical 50 ths atmosphere. It`s an instrumental with quality, somewhere in David Lynch country". This Cd is anyway nearly up there, but it`s not devilsh enough for a 5 star. Anyway Chris Isaak know`s what he`s dooing. That`s fore sure. March 6, 2006

Best yet!

Chris Isaak is one of my favorite artists and this CD is his best yet. He has his own unique style and I never get tired of any of his work. October 9, 2005

Speak of the Devil

This is a great cd. Not quite as good as some of his earlier stuff though. Classic Chris Issac and it was well worth the price I paid for it. September 12, 2005

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