Customer Reviews

Mr. Lucky (Deluxe)

5 star:		(42)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Just when you might have been thinking that Chris Isaak's career had ended--what with 2004's holiday album, 2006's hits package and then a live album--along comes "Mr. Lucky", Isaak's ninth album in 24 years, and his first since 2002's "Always Got Tonight".

So, I assume if you are reading this you are probably an Isaak fan like myself, and that you are wondering if "Mr. Lucky" is any good. I liked it better than 1996's "Baja Sessions", 1998's "Speak of the Devil" and 2002's "Always Got Tonight".

Of the fourteen tracks, the only ones I felt could have been left off were "Summer Holiday" and "Very Pretty Girl". The best tracks were the first single "We Let Her Down", "Breaking Apart", "I Lose My Heart", "Best I Ever Had" and "Take My Heart". The other seven tracks are all good, making "Mr. Lucky" Chris Isaak's first album in over a decade to get a four star rating from me.

In fact, Isaak does a nice job of tweaking his style and even inviting some upbeat, light-hearted tracks for the first time. He keeps his usual solemnness in check, creating a nicely balanced album of rockers, lilters and ballads.

Here's my comparison chart for Mr. Isaak:

1985 Silvertone: Four Stars
1987 Chris Isaak: Four Stars
1989 Heart Shaped World: Four Stars
1993 San Francisco Days: Four and a Half Stars
1995 Forever Blue: Five Stars
1996 Baja Sessions: Three Stars
1998 Speak of the Devil: Three Stars
2002 Always Got Tonight: Three Stars
2004 Christmas: Three Stars
2006 Best of: Three Stars
2009 Mr. Lucky: Four Stars

It has been 7 years since the last original work by Chris Issak, and I have been waiting for this release like it was Christmas Day.

First off the two guests singers are long time Chris Issak friends (both were guests on his show) and their duets were well done and seemed like a natural pairing.
These are my two favorite songs and Breaking Apart which is a remake is better than the original. I really liked Michele Branch's duet it was almost like the song was written for her.

The title Mr. Lucky would make you think this a happy album and filled with love and surfer themes. It actually has more than one sad song where it seems as though Chris Issak is longing for a long lost love. Dont worry there are also some really uplifting songs where Chris has found love again! All in all this cd is more about love than some of his previous albums that seemed to fit the bill of travel / surf / San Francisco.

As far as the sound goes it still sounds great and honest. Every song has Chris Issak pouring his heart out. Just listening to it makes me think of a fire place a six pack of beer and friends.

I honestly liked every song and the album flows well and tells the story of broken love to rekindling love. In my opinion this is a more mature Chris Issak and I dare say his best album yet. It has been 7 long years and this album does not disapoint. This is a must have for any Chris Issak fan and I would strong suggest to anyone that is looking for a singer with a great voice and a strong backing band.

Prime Cuts: We've Got Tomorrow, Breaking Apart (with Trisha Yearwood), I Lose My Heart (with Michelle Branch)

In today's music industry, it's rare for an artist not to be seduced by the digital dance beats or slide into the mediocrity of non-melodical amophism. Isaak's commitment to tuneful retro rock immersed in his suave and cool personality is in full vogue here. Seven years after his last studio album, Isaak still continues to charm with a touch of savor faire via these freshly self composed paeans, save for "Breaking Apart" which is a co-write between Isaak and uber hit maker Diane Warren. However, to keep things fresh and innovative, Isaak has ventured circumspectly into the fringes of country as well as swinging rockabilly; all done with a touch of modernize atmospheric echo of a Jason Marz or U2. Nevertheless, the crowning moments of the new disc is when country songbird Trisha Yearwood and country-rocker Michelle Branch share the microphone with Isaak making the rock crooner sound young again.

Shedding his manacle of his machismo, "Breaking Apart" is a gorgeous breezy ballad finding Isaak admitting heartbreak in a way that is heartfelt and sweet. Trisha Yearwood who trades lines with Isaak adds a layer of empathy that exudes a sense of warmth only an old friend can give. "I Lose My Breath," this time with Michelle Branch providing her soft harmonic touches, recalls some of the more personal moments that come out once in a while from his slyly aloof persona. Starting off slow before building to a crescendo is "Cheater's Town," a track that ought to locate Isaak back into the fold of the Hank Williams Sr. School of honky tonk laments. While the simplicity of vanguard single "We Let Her Down" is the charmer; a song that recalls Isaak endearing fan favourite "Always Tonight."

For those who are vying for something adventurous from Isaak will find plenty of reasons for rejoicing with "We've Got Tomorrow." "We've Got Tomorrow" ushers Isaak into the heart of Dixieland with its Cajun spiced-horn section. Isaak gets to pay tribute to his penchant for Roy Orbison's rockabilly with "Very Pretty Girl;" a song the Big O would have covered if he were alive. The title cut "Mr. Lonely Man" is itself a work of art: the busy uptempo percussion and screeching guitars is set ironically against the dire of the lyrics' despair. Yet, not all is perfect, a few rock fillers surface such as the ordinary "We Lost Our Way" and Bryan Adam-ish "Best I Ever Had."

Seven years later, Isaak still stays ahead of the game. His unflinching commitment to making melodies that are memorable despite trends and whistles is an encomium worthy of respect. "Mr. Lucky" is to found not lacking in any of such tunes. Further, Isaak's willingness to keep things fresh, interesting and venturesome including flushes of country, Cajun , rockabilly and soul-rock add a fresh coat of delight.

I couldn't wait for this release. I saw Chris in Forth Worth, Tx. when he toured for the "Best of" album and it was one of the top 3 live shows I've ever seen. I always look forward to his new stuff because, in my opinion, he only gets better and better.

The album may be his best ever (still not quite committed to this) because he dares a little more to venture into other genres. While some of the tracks are classic Isaak like "We let her down", "You don't cry like I do", and "Summer Holiday" (which gets better with every listen), some of them are more of a crooning style ("Big wide wonderful world") complete with a horn section and others remind me of the great Bob Wills and western swing ("Take my heart" and "We've got tomorrow"). The later two are initially my favorite tracks on the album. It is honestly very hard to decide because they are all wonderful.

One thing that stands out to me more than with Chris' other offerings is the musicianship. The guitars are the best in the business and a real throwback to the 40's and 50's when styles of music were melding together, jazz and rock, big band and western. Mr. Isaak's range is incredible and his voice is as crisp and powerful as ever (at 52).

I will not hesitate to tell everyone I know to rush out and purchase this CD. When I say everyone, I mean my grandmother would like it and my eleven year old nephew already told me he approves. Buy it. You will not be disappointed.

The title of the latest Chris Isaak CD is "Mr. Lucky" and you will be the lucky one to add this gem to your collection. Original, quality cuts overcome this fabulous collection. The unexpected prize is the duet with Trisha Yearwood.
"We've Got Tomorrow" is the sing along song of the year! Praise to all involved in this top notch CD.

I dropped a number of hints to my husband, and he was sweet enough to get me a copy of "Mr Lucky" the day it came out. That makes me Ms. Lucky since he understands my infatuation with Chris Isaak and his music.

I've listened to the whole album 10+ times already. I liked it the first time, and it keeps growing on me. I wasn't crazy about his last full non-holiday, non-Best Of album, "Always Got Tonight," because it sounded too glossy and polished, so I am very happy with "Mr. Lucky" because it comes across to me as a return to his roots. Sometimes rocking, sometimes melancholy, and too often heartbroken, this is vintage Isaak!

The overall feel reminds me of renditions he's performed of Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash, Buddy Holly, and other similar artists' music, but the lyrics are unmistakably Chris Isaak. My favorite tracks are "We've Got Tomorrow," "Mr. Lonely Man, and "Very Pretty Girl." Definitely worth picking up.

Ok, I'll admit I just started listening to this but it's already knocked me back in my chair after just two songs. Yes, it's THAT good. All the elements of Chris' signature sound are here, and his voice still sounds fantastic, but there's also a crunchy "rockiness" to the songs that I haven't heard before, at least not since the very earliest days of Silvertone, making it well worth buying even if you think you've "heard it all before". Pick this one up, you won't regret it!

Finally a collection of new music from Chris. I really like every song on the CD and hope that a few get radio play and become hits.
It's fun to note that all the illustrations, the cover art and drawings in the booklet, were done by Chris himself. Cool!
If you like Chris, this CD should be in your collection.
Best,
Kay

No one does high lonesome like Chris Isaak. His new album, "Mr Lucky," continues that tradition, from the first moment he hits his falsetto on "Cheater's Town" to the closing notes of the ironic "Big Wide Wonderful World." He may no longer be the singer of youthful discretions that made Heart Shaped World such a classic or the heartbreak of Forever Blue so painfully honest, but "Mr Lucky" still travels the lonely highways and the trail of broken hearts.

He even cops to it in the Roy Orbison styled "You Don't Cry Like I Do." It's classic Chris, building to the climactic wail of ache. The "Baby Did A Bad Bad Thing" vibe pops up on "Mr Lonelyman" and "Very Pretty Girl," where the burnt protagonist wonders what went wrong (and in the case of "Mr Lonelyman," singing to himself in the mirror). While Isaak has always teased at his country roots, this time he brings them right out front. He recasts Speak of the Devil's "Breaking Apart" as a duet with Trisha Yearwood, sings another with The Wreckers' Michelle Branch and does a western swing on "We've Got Tomorrow." (One of the first episodes of his Bio-Channel series was with Glen Campbell, which is more than telling!)

Should you think Chris is making a bid for Nashville ala Darius Rucker or Bon Jovi, it serves well to remember that in the middle of "We've Got Tomorrow," a jazzy sax section kicks in. Not the stuff of typical Music Row chart fodder. Chris is cool enough after all these years to throw a few curves, even if there is not much here one would call a "risk." However, there's a lot here to remind you of just how classy Chris Isaak is as a performer and musician. It may have been seven years between "Mr Lucky" and Always Got Tonight, but it sounds like he never left.

As a solid fan of Chris Isaak's previous work, I very much looked forward to hearing the new CD. For me, it did not live up to the expectations. While some of the new songs sounded much better when I saw him perform them live in Atlanta in late July in a terrific performance, the same songs generally are not ones I would want to listen to on a consistent basis on this CD. The musicianship and production sound excellent, as does Chris' voice, but I believe the songwriting is much weaker than a lot of his earlier work, both in lyrics and lack of enough interesting melodies and chord changes. Much of his earlier work, again, consisted of either more catchy tunes and melodies, or a more haunting style on the ballads. Even "We Let Her Down", the radio single most played, came across as much more powerful on his vocals in the live performance than on the CD, but it is still a very good song and my favorite on this CD. A handful of others are fairly pleasant and somewhat catchy, but none really seem to grab me, whereas the remaining songs are really lacking for originality or just plain good songwriting. I like Chris Isaak a lot and would continue to purchase pretty much anything he issues, but honestly could not rate this effort as any better than "fair", though my opinion has improved a little after further listenings.