Love gone wrong isn’t often seen as a good thing, but in Chris Isaak’s case, it’s been the stuff of success. Over the past couple of decades, the California-bred singer-songwriter has spun seductive tales from love’s dark side, at times dosing classic rock ’n’ roll heartache with sophisticated noir atmosphere. His retro-rocker stage persona is the ideal vehicle for his mournful, pretty-boy vocals. The spell Isaak weaves has proved potent onscreen as well. His songs have appeared in numerous films, but it was his video for “Wicked Game” (from 1989’s Heart Shaped World) that made him a star after he frolicked on the beach with supermodel Helena Christensen. In between tours and recording nearly a dozen albums, he’s squeezed in an acting career highlighted by a sitcom that ran on Showtime for three seasons. The exquisite minimal guitars-bass-drums sound of Isaak’s band meets with dashes of embellishment on his latest album, Mr. Lucky, which was released earlier this year. Songs like “Best I Ever Had” even exude an occasional emotional upswing. Ryan Humbert opens at 8 p.m. at House of Blues (308 Euclid Ave., 216.523.2583). Tickets: $55-$89.50. — Duane Verh
© 2023 Cleveland Scene
