Customer Reviews

Silvertone

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Chris Isaak's first recorded effort is, without a doubt, one of my favorite CDs of all time. It is dark, moody and hauntingly captivating but maintains a lively energy. A MUST for anyone who even remotely enjoys his work, let alone one who truly appreciates it.

Haunting, is the best way to describe this album, which includes songs like "Voodoo" and "Funeral in the Rain". Chris Isaak's first cd is among his best. His ballads are so damn pretty that you find your eyes welling up with tears; Tunes such as "Dancin'" and "Living For Your Lover" have you unconsciously tapping yout toes. It is a remarkable debut album from a remarkable, and at times, underrated, artist.

Chris Isaak's debut album takes its name from his backing band, Silvertone. The band's sound harkens back to the hey day of Sun Studios where artists like Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and, most notably for Mr. Isaak, Roy Orbison ruled the day. There is a brooding, dark and eerie sound to the songs. "Dancin'" has an almost funky vibe to it, "The Lonely Ones" is a Roy Orbison redux and is an absolutely magnificent song and "Western Stars" is a lilting ballad. Mr. Isaak has a deep, smooth voice that adds a density to the songs while Silvertone plays songs in a way that seems on the surface to be quite simple but are full of nuances. This is a great debut record.

Chris Isaak made one of the most unlikely debuts of 1985. Crooning like Roy Orbison, coming on like a young Elvis Presely and getting a tremendous buzz from his incredible stage shows, Isaak set the wayback machine into motion like no-one since Brian Setzer. The album was so unique that several of these songs found their way into movie soundtracks ("Dancin'," "Gone Riding" and "Funeral In The Rain"). It wasn't just Isaak's movie idol looks that got him these choice slots, his music is very evocative. James Calvin Wilsey's guitar and pedal steel frequently adds a Sun Records/Country feel to the songs, which Isaak's high lonesome croon compliments.

While this is not Isaak's best (it is closer to 3 1/2 stars, really), "SILVERTONE" lays out the template for his career to come.

I really like Chris Isaak and have everything he has made. But, everyone of his albums sounds alike. This is his first album. Besides his classic song, Dancing, there is nothing here that stands out from all of his other albums. This is basically the origins of his sound that he refines and builds upon in later albums.

People who have followed him from the beginning may consider this to be his ultimate album because everything later is just a variation of the original. But, if you listen to the later albums and then come back to this one, you may find that the first album is a little bland and is just the seed for better subsequent material.

I have heard all of Chris' music and saw him live at the Wiltern in LA. I think this is his best music, the other CD's kind of followed this one

Great, great, great. I am biased, Isaak consistently turns out great stuff and this was the last of his I bought. I knew I would love it before opening the box. This did not dissapoint. If you like his later stuff you will enjoy this just as much.

First heard this on NPR (of all places)in 1985. I wore out the first album copy, spent months trying to find a replacement (pre amazon of course!), and then wore that one out. I finally got it on CD and have since transferred it to my iPod where it is now one of those treats that when it comes up on shuffle, I have to stop whatever I am doing and listen to it.
I think it's his best although I love all of his CD's.
James Calvin Wilsey is too cool with his moody evocative guitar backing Issak's Orbison type vocals.

I would have worn these albums all out if they weren't CDs. It's really arguable that this is his best overall effort. The production isn't as polished as it would get in the "Wicked Game " era, but the material is very strong. It's core Chris Isaak, very dark and very intense, probably too much so for mass consumption. Songs like "The Lonely Ones" aren't seen again until the "Forever Blue" album 10+ years later. Very solid album.

I really love his music every CD is totally wonderful. I now have them all. This one is cool very punkish and new waveish which is what I grew up with in LA, Ca. What a voice and music-Thank You!