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Critics of Chris Isaak have long considered him a neo-Elvis in a cheaper suit. It's a comparison all too easy to make, especially in light of this covers collection: a staggering half of the selections are either Presley standards or songs once performed by the King. Expectedly, Isaak does a spot-on impression, one that would give those pompadour-wearing impersonators in Vegas a run for their money. He reaches admirably for that elusive high note on "It's Now or Never," and croons a karaoke-perfect "Can't Help Falling in Love," but it is a bit of overkill. Hard to fault the guy, though, since he's clearly a die-hard fan. All the songs were tracked at Elvis HQ Sun Records studios, and with the exception of one — an out-of-place original composition ("Live it Up") — derived from the label built by producer extraordinaire Sam Phillips. The highlight is a ripping version of the obscure Jimmy Wages number "Miss Pearl." It'd be nice if Isaak cut loose like that a bit more, as otherwise he plays it too close to the vest with overdone, albeit rollicking, versions of "Great Balls of Fire," "I Walk the Line," and "Ring of Fire."
