Chris Isaak

Chris Isaak's success in almost every realm of show business has always seemed somewhat out of place. Whether he's making music, acting or interviewing celebrities, he's forever the blue-eyed crooner who never really loses — even though he's always losing. In fact, Isaak's ability to craft spot-on recollections of love's exhilarating highs (and crushing lows) has been his calling card for more than 25 years. This year's Mr. Lucky, Isaak's first collection of original tunes since 2002's Always Got Tonight, is no exception. While these songs are mostly void of the eeriness and dark spirit that made Isaak a favorite of David Lynch in the late '80s, they lack nothing in composition, great-sounding production or heartfelt vocal performances. In the live setting, they should make for a great jumping-off point before he and his incomparable band dive into its celebrated back catalog.