CHRIS ISAAK Mr. Lucky (2009)

19 March 2009
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It's been good 7 years since the last Chris Isaak's album 'Always Got Tonight' and very few of us were trembling with anticipation to say the least since then. Luckily, 'Mr. Lucky' (I beg you pardon for the pun) proves that Mr. Isaak is still capable of writing great records. He may have existed as a sideshow to the Isaak the actor, Isaak the model, Isaak the comedian and Isaak the surfer, but stll Chris continues to inspire a loyal stady following. And with this new album he tries something that only a long period of time can allow you to try- manage quite different styles of music into one melting pot. This is the advantage and in the same time the drawback of 'Mr. Lucky'. While the first single (already in our prestigious chart Tuborg Top 40) 'We Let Her Down' reminds of Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers's musical approach, 'Cheater's Town' sounds more like country and western spiced with a Roy Orbison twist. One thing Isaak is very good at is wail. His familiar wail (that broke so many virgins' hearts in the famous 'Wicked Game') can be heard through the whole span of 'Mr. Lucky'. This trade mark is complete with some guest appearances, both female voices. First, Trisha Yearwood who sings along in 'Breaking Apart' and then Michelle Branch in 'I lose My Heart'. Yes, you've guessed right. By this point it's obvious that it's the love theme that predominates the album. Musically it's a very scattered, but quite catchy affair put down in a clean and sometimes even a little slick production. It would be a bit strange if Chris Isaak wanted to be recognized as a pure rockabilly artist as many have labelled him through the years, but as far as I'm concerned 'Mr. Lucky' is simply a good rock record with pop and country nuances that are easy to swallow even for a narrow-minded rocker. You know, every library needs Shakespeare and there are certain essential artefacts that belong to every home. I'm not saying 'Mr. Lucky' is one of them. What I'm saying is that there are valuable things other than Shakespeare and Isaak's new album can easily finds its place among them.
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