The cover of Chris Isaak's new album, Always Got Tonight, shows him gazing soulfully across a moody void, his blue eyes made even brighter by dint of digital technology. With songs previewed on his eponymous cable sitcom (where they were brilliantly caffeinated by guest stars like Shelby Lynne, Sheila E., Green Day and Third Eye Blind's Stephan Jenkins), the album serves up more of his trademark wistful retro-rock, significantly sharper than on recent efforts (amazing, delicate guitar work by Isaak and Hershel Yatovitz; a refreshing whiff of testosterone--finally!--on "Notice the Ring"). If only his songwriting consistently enjoyed the same level of diligence he seems to lavish on his perfect hair and photogenic face, devotees of this broken-hearted Beau Brummel would be much better served.