Chris Isaak: First Comes The Night

From earning David Lynch’s applause in the 1980s, to the bad boy throwback crooner of the ’90s, Isaak’s consistency and integrity hasn’t waned in the face of ever-changing fashions and trends. First Comes The Night is a full-length record of pure Isaak, centred on his charming wit, smooth vocals and traditional rock’n’roll backing.

Recorded primarily in Nashville, the record takes on a distinctive Southern flavour, with the ghosts of country legends resonating throughout. After the classic rock’n’roll warm-up of the title track, the record takes a darker turn with ‘Please Don’t Call’; a pleading ballad of vanquished romance. The groove returns on ‘Down In Flames’, a toast to Isaak’s prediction he’ll spend eternity burning in damnation for his lifetime of sins. The country influence becomes fully realised on four-to-the-floor stomper ‘Dry Your Eyes’, full of twang and attitude. It’s clear that Isaak’s early focus on hit singles has fallen by the wayside in favour of solid narratives.

While this record doesn’t uncover any new ground, the fact Isaak’s career has remained successful for longer than many of those he has been accused of imitating speaks volumes.