Rocktrospectiva: The Smooth And Dreaming "Forever Blue" Turns 30

Released on 23 May 1995 "Forever Blue" was the fifth studio album by US musician Chris Isaak, the album spawned three singles "Somebody's Crying", "Baby Did A Bad Bad Thing" and "Graduation Day", the album was also nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rock Album. 

 

Forever Blue is considered the most perfectly titled in Chris Isaak's discography cause the predominantly depressing and downbeat mood of the record. Common themes found here just like with almost all of Isaak's albums are betrayal, heartbreak, loneliness, longing, loss, love, regret, remorse, and sorrow. No doubt, Forever Blue is still one of Isaak's best releases. 

 

The album exists almost in a dream state. It sways and shimmies in a way and is consistent throughout.  It’s almost a concept album on a sunny kind of sadness. Even the dirges on the album have a skiffling little wood block beat. Standouts include the dark and evocative "Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing," the emotional tearjerker "Somebody's Crying," the melancholy and reflective "Graduation Day," and the cautiously optimistic "I Believe." 

 

Isaak is obviously influenced by Roy Orbison, both in his catchy basic lyrics, singable non-complicated melodies, and his singing style where he hits the alto range when expressing pain, you can notice this in four of the tracks: "Somebody's Crying", "There She Goes", Shadows in a Mirror", and "I Believe". The the very popular "Somebody's Crying", is perfectly wonderful in smart lyrics, immediately hummable melody, and sexy delivery with Isaak's smooth strong voice.

 

Much is made of the influence of Elvis on Isaak. I certainly agree but his lyrics and style have a darker shadow of irony, pain and maybe revenge than Elvis. He is certainly as much a student of Bryan Ferry's dark side as he is of Roy Orbison's light side. Isaak's guitar accompanyment is always perfect. The guitar chords emerge through the vocals to echo the pain in perfect sympathy.

 

Chris Isaak's words began to warp with exaggerated wow and flutter. Sound began to fade in and out. At some points, When Isaak croons on the pedal-steel-inflected The End of Everything.  

 

This album is consistently good, song after song, and it was Chris Isaak at his best.

 

Forever Blue Track List: 

 

1. Baby Did A Bad Bad Thing

2. Somebody0s Crying

3. Graduation Day

4. Go Walking Down There

5. Don't Leave Me On My Own

6. Things Go Wrong

7. Forever Blue

8. There She Goes

9. Goin' Nowhere

10. Changed Your Mind

11. Shadows In A Mirror

12. I Believe

13. The End Of Everything