Chris Isaak - San Francisco Days

Chris Isaak's first album in four years, "San Francisco Days," marks no great departures from his previous three. Recorded once again with his same Silvertone band and producer Erik Jacobsen, this is another Isaak collection of brooding songs about unslaked lust and half-completed break-ups; his restrained but lush voice is still out in front of the heavily echoed popabilly guitars. Nonetheless there are subtle differences in this project that make it more varied, more open, more aggressive and better overall than its predecessors. For example, "Lonely with a Broken Heart" sounds like the ultimate Isaak title, but the song is delivered at a brisk swing tempo, pushed by the soulful B-3 organ of the Robert Cray Band's Jimmy Pugh, and Isaak's carefree vocal makes it clear that the song is meant as a sarcastic taunt to a lover who expects him to come crawling back. A similar twist informs "Except the New Girl," which is lit up by lovely steel guitar lines from Tom Brumley (ex-Buck Owens); Isaak confesses to a woman that "there's never been anyone else...," but then adds the kicker, "except the new girl." "Round & Round" features some dirty guitar and a chugging beat, while the album closes with the best song Neil Diamond ever wrote, "Solitary Man," which sounds more lonely and desperate in this minimalist arrangement than it ever did before. Isaak's trump card, as always, is his singing. Like his heroes Roy Orbison and Don Everly, Isaak sings as if it were always 3 a.m., when every other gambit has failed and there are no options left but complete honesty. He pulls so tightly on the reins to his voice that he usually sings in a husky whisper, which is no less lush for being held back. And when he loosens the reins and allows his handsome tenor to rise in power, as it does on the incandescent falsetto chorus to the first single, "Can't Do a Thing (To Stop Me)," the effect is thrilling. --Jeffrey Himes Amazon.com

How to Follow Wicked Game

First, write a song which kinda puts you in the mindset of "Wicked Game," like "Can't Do A Thing (To Stop Me)." Then, put this complete piece of fluff on a regular album, which also has plenty of good songs on it. This album broke some new ground for Chris; a bit more spohisticated than the moody moping and borderline stalking we had grown to love. Really good tunes with a new dimension, e.g. "San Francisco Days," "Beautiful Homes." "Two Hearts," "Lonely With A Broken Heart," and a killer cover at the end. August 28, 2007

Chris Isaak-Yes Yes

This CD is Totally Great! and I could listen to it over and over-- and I do. You will not be disappointed by anything he has done. Please check him out. May 13, 2007

The candyking of earsmoothies

Chris Isaak. This CD moves you With a big moooooove. So groovy that it hurts your`e soul. The opening track San Francisco Days, it`s an uptempo smooth soul rocker, with plenty of passion. The voice of Chris Isaak is like a "cool off" when you feel too much chills and trills in your body. Just pure magic. Track 2 Beautiful Homes, is also an uptempo rock and roller. This is more ordinary in the musical departement, but his voice brings the power to the whole adventure. Track 3 Round "N" Round
has a touch of "woodoo hoodoo" feel over it`s, but it` spinns into not too clever directions as a whole,but certainly moody enough. Track 4 Two hearts is a heartful song With enough passion to bring you down,down on youre knee begging for more. The etnic latino touch helps a lot. Track 5 Can`t do a thing( To stop me) is more average at Isaak standard, but the feel, the grove, oh yees. Everything is solid craftmanship. Track 6 Except The new girl is more like an uptempo "country rocker" that shines
on every "blue note". Track 7 Waiting is a minor let down. More slow and sometimes gives you a more insignificant feel over the whole musical experience. Track 8 Move along brings you deep,deep down, and yeees you can feeel it. Eargaasm !. Track 9 I wan`t your love is an uptempo rock&roller that knows it roots,. It has the right touch of "rockabilly feel" and greatness certainly shines on this one. Track 105:15 is way deep down with a "blue Cold "atmosphere sparkles all over. Track 11 Lonley with a broken heart, is a rock and roller with the right creative touches on the right places. Track 11 Solitary man is a simple and ok song,. Quite god. Anyway Chris Isaak is the Candyking for earsmoothies so full of passion, so full of soul.

August 24, 2006

Fresh Sound :)

Great fresh sound. Wonderful choice of tunes...Isaak has crafted such a unique sound. BRAVO!!

Title track and several other very good and catchy songs. Good melodies. April 2, 2006

Gets better with each listen....

I bought all of his Cds in one fell swoop last year. Listened to most of them once and got so hooked on Baja Sessions that I didn't spend much time on any of the others.

Well, I went back and relistened to the rest and am very glad I did.
This album rocks, and it's definetly one of my favorites.

San Franciso Days, Beautiful Homes, Two Hearts,
Except The New Girl, Waiting, and I Want Your Love are all classics.
This one is in heavy rotation here in my home office, and it truly does get better with each listen. Kudos to the musicians that back Chris up - I'm getting closer and closer to taking up guitar thanks to wanting to play along while I listen! June 22, 2005

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