With his handsome dark looks and deep melancholic croon, the California singer and actor easily channels early Elvis Presley. For his last album,
Beyond the Sun, Isaak actually ventured to Memphis to cover the King and other legends on the iconic Sun Records label like Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis. This time around, the “Wicked Game” singer took his muse to Nashville and worked with some of Music City’s finest songwriters and session musicians. The result is a collection that bristles with originality while still paying homage to heroes. The rollicking “Down in Flames” cites both Elvis and Hank Williams in its lyrics, while the piano-driven “Running Down the Road” is pure Jerry Lee-inspired rock ’n’ roll. And the dramatic “Perfect Lover,” with its tragic overtones, stands out as an appreciative nod to Roy Orbison. Clearly inspired, Isaak has crafted a classic of his own.
