On the covers of both his auspicious 1985 debut, Silvertone, and this worthy follow-up, Chris Isaak resembles an Eighties version of Elvis Presley, but play either one of these records and you'll find that he is in fact the musical descendant of a more somber rock pioneer – Roy Orbison. Chris Isaak is one tortured, talented guy; his songs of epic longing and tragic heartbreak are beautifully crafted and for the most part surprisingly moving.

Side one of Chris Isaak is a compelling but relentlessly downbeat song cycle about being one of love's losers. On the opening track, "You Owe Me Some Kind of Love," Isaak has already been reduced to begging for affection, as he lays a melodic little guilt trip on his one and only. A faithful cover of the Yardbirds' "Heart Full of Soul" allows Isaak to show off his determined wisp of a tenor – Keith Relf didn't sound nearly as convincing on the original. "Blue Hotel" (a sort of color-coordinated "Heartbreak Hotel," one imagines) is an atmospheric number on which lead guitarist John Calvin Wilsey serves up a series of semitwangy, Ventures-like riffs; the song wouldn't have sounded out of place on Bryan Ferry's last album. And on the side-closing "Fade Away," Isaak tries to win his love by telling her, "For me there was no sunshine/For me there was no rain/For me, until I met you, every day was the same." If Isaak's sufferin' suite has a flaw, it's that there's a certain sameness to the tunes: as well earned as his romantic angst may be, it would have helped to mix up the musical moods a bit more.

Side two is, happily, a more varied set of songs. On "Wild Love," Isaak picks up the pace nicely and even struts a bit. "This Love Will Last" is a lilting statement of romantic purpose that sounds like a lost Everly Brothers classic, with some jangly guitar tossed in to fine effect. Even better is "Waiting for the Rain to Fall," a gorgeous downtempo number that neatly sums up the pessimism behind Isaak's hurtin' sensibility. Not that Chris Isaak should be in any rush to cheer up. It's been a long time since someone has hurt so bad so well. (RS 499)

DAVID WILD