You could tell that there was something cooking in the Chris Isaak camp when you took a look at the production credits for "Speak Of The Devil." Although longtime associate Erik Jacobsen is still the knob twiddler for the majority of the CD, Isaak also self or co-produced seven of the 14 songs here. There's also the presence of Rob Cavallo, who, as the man behind the boards for Green Day, gave the world "Dookie." Even weirder, Cavallo produced the BALLAD!

So the more things change, the more "Speak Of The Devil" sounds the same. Minor key misery is still the mainstay, spiced with a few blasts from the reverb heavy retro rock Isaak frequently favors. There's even an Elvis come-on with "Please," a one sided plea for Isaak's love to explain things in a crumbling relationship. But is there an answer? Not on your heart shaped world, baby. Almost as flawless is "Breaking Apart," co-produced by Cavallo and co-written with hit maestro Diane Warren. Although it treads dangerously close to formula, it was the album's obvious shot at a hit. That is, before "Eyes Wide Shut" broke "Baby Did A Bad Bad Thing" from the almost 4 year old "Forever Blue." Fate is a funny thing....

Even if "Speak Of The Devil" got sideswiped by the older song, you should still seek this set out. You can hear Isaak try to push his envelope, be it the near grungey guitars on "Please," the more prominent synths on "I'm Not Sleepy" or the fact that he can make a worn phrase like "Don't Get So Down On Yourself" sound like heartbreak mantra. He even drops the loser in love persona to sing praises of settling down in "Talking Bout a Home." Then, to top it all off, there is the terrific space-spy-surf instra-mental millennium harbinger of "Super Magic 2000" to warp the album to a close. "Speak Of The Devil" flirts with the danger of breaking the mold, and Isaak makes it work.

This one is worth it just for "Walk Slow" - what a KILLER song. It's the standout on the CD for me...

All around, this is a great CD. Lots of different styles here, I like the mix. "Walk Slow" is still the best though - I can't get through this Cd without playing that song like ten times in a row!

This is a great cd, one of Chris Isaak's best.
I never tire of listening to it. I love his style.
He has an amazing voice.

Chris Isaak doesn't get enough respect for being one of the most consistent and excellent American singer/songwriters. I'm listening to this album right now, and it reminds me once again just how good he really is.

At it's best (and this record isn't perfect all the way through), this album ranks up there with the best that Chris has done. "Flying" and "walk Slow" are just great. The mellotron adds a nice touch on the album and is a nice twist.

Another nice treat for the fans.

If you've never purchased a Chris Isaak CD and want to give him a try - buy this CD. It is his best work! If you've read other reviews, you know he's somewhat of a cross between Roy Orbison and Elvis Presley. To me, he's kind of got an edginess found in today's rock-a-billy underground bands. He clearly has a sweet, powerful, original voice and sound... especially in today's world. This CD in particular show cases all ends of his sound, in my opinion. He's very contemporary with "Walk Slow", rocks a bit with "Please", shows his love for rock-a-billy with "I'm Not Sleepy" (great tune by the way), and his humor with "Like the Way She Moves" (the opening line alone, "I met a girl half out her mind, that's ok, 'cause I'm half out of mine", always makes me smile). With this CD, you get a clear picture of what you can find spread out over his other discs. If you own and really like San Fransisco Days or Always Got Tonight, then I think you'll love this disc. Its my favorite of his. He's soooo underated as a musician and a talent. You gotta give him and this disc a try.