Not a lot of new posting right now, so here's a topic that might start some discussion. Or fights, given the polarizing effect this guy has. On the heels of the news that he's putting out THREE records in 2005, I ask of you: are you a Ryan Adams lover or hater?

Personally, I've been a fan since I first saw Whiskeytown (next to Uncle Tupelo, THE best alt-country band in my estimation) back before they were on Outpost. I've seen Ryan solo several times, and was always impressed with his ability to play a pile of good, new songs. I have seen one of his trademark hissy-fits (storming off stage because his guitar sound wasn't right on the last Whiskeytown tour) but I also recall him being a really funny, cool guy when I met him at a record label BBQ event.

Personally, I don't mind the fact that the guy puts out a LOT of records. A lot of people gripe about quality control, but I'll take more material (and decide for myself) rather than less.

I'm of the opinion that he's one of the more talented songwriters out there, and that he could certainly become one of the great rock "chameleons" in that his musical and vocal styles can change RADICALLY from record to record (from the low-key alt-country of Heartbreaker to the AOR rock of Gold to the somber Britpop of Love is Hell) and he never sounds like he's forcing it.

I admit that the guy's public persona is pretty bad...he acts like a whacko quite often. But I think having overly sane rock stars is asking too much...I'll take a little annoying wackiness if he gives me good records, which he's done, for the most part.

I don't like the Hero or Zero labels as in my opinion Ryan Adams falls in the middle. Whiskeytown is nice, Heartbreaker is one of my personal top 10 albums of the 2000's. But, since he has disappointed. Since Heartbreaker, he's had a few moments on Gold, but overall nothing feels honest. I could go on forever with all of the little moments on Heartbreaker where he just kills me its so good. There is no way it seems he's the same artist that made Rock N Roll. Anyway, I guess he got popular, lazy and quit trying. I know a lot of people like his new albums but they do nothing for me. Hopefully he'll grow up and start writing real songs again.

Whiskeytown: Hero
Heartbreaker: Hero
Everything Since: Zero

I figured I'd be in the minority on this one. Oh well.

I like the guy enough to find good in the scattershot recent recording. Plus, I give him kudos for kicking his buddy Jesse Malin up into the limelight again...

Hmm...actually, I saw Ryan Adams doing some flag-waving post-911 song and passed him off as a schmuck without actually hearing him.

If I were to download some of his songs to evaluate him, which ones should they be?

I'd check out anything from Heartbreaker or Gold to start with. Heartbreaker is more country, Gold more pop.

I think the only flag-waving connection for Ryan was unintentional. His big record, Gold, came out on 9/11. His single, released just before 9/11 was called "New York, New York." And his album cover, featuring him standing in front of a flag, was a tribute to Springsteen's cover for Born in the USA.

If you want more specific song recommendations, let me know. And let me know if you want stuff that's twangy, poppy, or something else and I'll try to point you in the right direction.

I also can't recommend any of the albums by his first band, Whiskeytown, any more highly. Start with Strangers Almanac and move backwards to Faithless Street and then to the final one, Pneumonia.

I love Ryan's music he is definitely hero all the way from me. He's touring Australia in July, and Im hanging out for the announcement of his show in Melbourne.
Heartbreaker is his best work still, but I also rate Love is Hell quite close to it. Rock N Roll is completely different but is great too, though Im not sure how i would rate it if that was the only album i knew of his.
I've traded for stacks of live shows, demos unrealeased songs (he is so prolific that he has about the same amount of released songs to unreleased songs from the studio).
to be honest i am in awe of the man and his talent.
Cold Roses comes out tommorrow, haven't downloaded any yet but Im sure by about Wednesday unlike half the cds i have in my collection ill already know everysong by name and have a decent opinion on it.

I loved Heartbreaker, and then found myself kind of disappointed with Gold, Demolition and Rock 'n' Roll. I was ready to write Adams off -- but then Love is Hell was just great. So I will buy Cold Roses and keep my fingers crossed that Ryan is back in the saddle.

If you like Heartbreaker, I think you'll like Cold Roses. It's got a back-to-alt-country feel to it on the first listen to the first disc. Good so far...

After a couple of listens, I think the songs on this one aren't so hot. Nothing bad, but nothing great, either. I get really tired of the old critical standard for Ryan record: "Ryan Adams needs an editor to get some quality control!" But this might the first time that I agree with them. This might be a decent single disc, but as a double, it's a little weak.

Ryan Adams has steadily made his way into my favorite top-5 artists; unexpectedly I would add. Saw him on Letterman or SNL playing some crunchy rock and then made a mental note to try one of his CD's. Shockingly my local horrible CD shop had GOLD at $20, so I bought Heartbreaker. On first few listens - though it was good, but not great - but over time it became intoxicating, so bought Gold and loved it. One night in Fiji during our honeymoon - put on Firecracker at a party and damn everyone danced on the tables. Love is Hell is exceptional too, with only the occasional semi-clunker like Political Scientist. Some of the songs are just perfect at setting a mood; most artists cannot do this; check out 'House is Not for Sale' for example. RockAndRoll initially disappointed - but a couple of great songs made me play it repeatedly, and I grew to appreciate it as a 'gas' CD. The Smiths are also in my top-5; but I would recommend Ryan not stray into the weepy side of Morrissey. Cold Roses is on order. Would be interesting to Ryan hook up with a real soulful R&R guitarist like Kevin Salem. For those interested in the Alt-Ryan side of music, try his ex-girlfriend's disk LEONNA NAESS.

Whiskeytown - 3 stars
Heartbreaker - 4.5 stars
Gold - 5 stars
Love is Hell - 4.5 stars
RockandRoll - 4 stars

My little brother's a big Ryan Adams fan (bigger than I am. I love Heartbreaker, but don't like Gold or Demolition much at all. I haven't hear his others). He wants surprise gifts for his birthday, which is coming up. I want to get him a Whiskeytown album, but I'm not sure which one is the best to get. All Music gives Pneumonia and Faithless Street its highest ratings (4 stars), but oddly chooses Stranger's Almanac for its AMG album pick. I've never heard any Whiskeytown, so I was hoping you guys could help me out here.

pE is the biggest expert I know, so either wait here for his reply or PM him! Good luck!

quote:

Originally posted by RavingLunatic:
My little brother's a big Ryan Adams fan (bigger than I am. I love Heartbreaker, but don't like Gold or Demolition much at all. I haven't hear his others). He wants surprise gifts for his birthday, which is coming up. I want to get him a Whiskeytown album, but I'm not sure which one is the best to get. All Music gives Pneumonia and Faithless Street its highest ratings (4 stars), but oddly chooses Stranger's Almanac for its AMG album pick. I've never heard any Whiskeytown, so I was hoping you guys could help me out here.

All three are great, but I think Stranger's Almanac is the superior disc. Faithless Street is more twangy and alt-country, while Pneumonia is more poppy. Almanac is in the middle...very song-driven, with some excellent stories mixed in with great melodies and music. You can't lose with any of them, but if I had to pick one, I'd go with SA.

I agree with pE.

Strangers Almanac and Faithless Street are both great records, with SA having just a slight edge.

Thanks pE and KLT. Stranger's Almanac it is.

My first indtruction to Ryan Adams was around the release of Heatbreaker and Whiskeytown's Pneumonia. I thought he was the best thing since sliced bread. Heartbreaker is still one of the best albums to be released in the last decade. I was excited when Gold hit shelves and bought it immediately. And I don't think I've ever been more dissappointed by a record purchase. All of the raw emotion on Heartbreaker (thanks in part to Gillian Welsh and David Rawlings serving as his backing band) was replaced by a slick gloss and blandness you'd find on a Wallflowers album. Boring. Since then I've been weary of the guy. Some of his lastest stuff seems to be a bit better, but Heartbreaker is still his best.

I don't have any early Ryan Adams myself, though I plan to get some soon, at least at some point in the future! The earliest song of his I've heard is Nuclear.

I have the Love Is Hell EPs, and Rock N Roll, as well as Cold Roses by him and the Cardinals.

I love him, he's a great song writer and has some great passion in a lot of his songs.

New to the board...was suggested in the general forum to try this post here:

New to board. I am a huge Ryan Adams fan. After a handful of listens, I feel that "29" is the weakest of his three cds from 2005. However, it still contains his most haunting song which is called Carolina Rain. I have been living with that one song on endless repeat for almost the entire last week. I am hoping some of the forum members may have listened to the song, and I am interested in your interpretations. It is most definitely very subtle in its use of details...intentionally so I would argue.

So...give it a listen and let me know if you have as many questions as I do about what is really happening in the narrative.

Dave

I haven't heard any of the Ryan Adams albums released this year, though my brother got Cold Roses for Christmas, so I'll probably get around to listening to that one soon.

I've heard four Ryan Adams albums: Heartbreaker, Gold, Demolition, and Love Is Hell. I love Heartbreaker, but I really don't like any of the others. There are some songs from those albums that I like, like "When the Stars Go Blue," but not much else. Because of this, I just don't think it's worth it to listen to much of the new stuff that he puts. I don't think there's much of a chance of me liking it.