Upon returning home from a weekend road trip that was the most wonderful time I've ever had with a member of the opposite sex, I look at my stack of unreviewed CDs, and the new Chris Isaak record sits on top. Three months ago, I probably would have said Speak of the Devil is the greatest thing since sliced bread. Then again, three months ago my love life was akin to a beat up 1981 Cutlass Supreme that's been wasting away in a junkyard for years.

Now that things are improving in the World of Romance, I can review this record more objectively. Several years ago, David Lowery of Cracker said, "What the world needs now is a new Frank Sinatra, so I can get you in bed." What about when she won't go to bed with you, or if she flatters herself with your attentions until someone comes along that is better looking, or has more "stuff," or is on a faster career track then you? What if you're just a prop to occupy her time? Then you need the new Roy Orbison-- Chris Isaak.

Isaak will never be a groundbreaking artist. His love of the melancholy rock song, a la Orbison, combined with his love of pre- Beatles rock 'n' roll stylings, is not something that will ever change. And why should it? That sound has become his trademark and it works for him, as three gold records will attest. On Speak of the Devil, the production goes for a more contemporary edge. It doesn't always work, especially when Isaak's Memphis- style guitar soars above the layers. In those instances, the production becomes more of a distraction.

But this album is standard Isaak fare, brooding and melancholy. The passion and intensity of several of the tracks, including the dreary "7 Lonely Nights," the rockabilly rant "I'm Not Sleepy," or the Orbison- esque "This Time," turn average cuts into beautiful, heartfelt tracks that stick in your mind and heart. But a good number of these tracks will also simply fade into the background, due to the excessive production and Isaak's "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" attitude. This lack of consistency makes this an average record at best.

Like the characters in his songs, Chris Isaak will always live in the past. And at times, it's good to know that there's someone out there that's as miserable as you are. But Chris, it's time to pick yourself up and move forward. Go have a happy weekend with a beautiful girl. Feed her cookies and have her read to you from a book of Scandinavian humor. Make some happiness with someone. It works wonders.

-Duane Ambroz

"This Time"

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