Pitchfork

There's no denying that Chris Isaak is a good-looking guy. Musically, though, tastes vary. Some are under the impression that he's kind of a wuss. Yep. No denying that, either.

I've seen the guy act and it ain't worth shit, but his records are another thing altogether. Baja Sessions opens with a real Everlys kind of song, "Pretty Girls Don't Cry," and it's really pretty amazing. He's so rarely recognized for his talent that it's kind of sad. I mean, he reminds people of Elvis, and it's hard to get around that, but I can't see the dim, drug-addled, Flying Isaaks future in store for him.

He's made what seems like hundreds of records, and they're consistently brilliant. They do a nice thing for you. You see, as I'm writing this in snowy-cold, mid-Winter Minnesota, it's bringing me that much closer to the sandy beaches of Blue Hawaii. And for that, I dig it.