Quite a good record, I think. The band is very solid. Maybe his best work? He is definitely trying to out-Oberst Bright Eyes and Okkervil and what not, but his stuff has a place also. While it may not hold up compared to the best of those two, I think it stands very well on its own.

its a great album, but to say he is trying to "out do" those you listed is really funny.....he's been doing this shit since whiskeytown.....which pre-dates your cute kids...heheh

(though what I hear from Cold Roses is good stuff)

True, but he obviously changed his direction, and his 'new' style (VERY similar to his old style) is a pretty dramatic change from most all of his solo work. I really good a Pneumonia-vibe from this record, I wonder if a lot of the songs come from that era.

However, Ryan Adams circa 2004 = boring and tiresome, whereas Bright Eyes and Okkervil circa 2004 = inventive and fresh...Im glad to see he made this album. I honestly haven't found a weak track.

typical "indie" response

Typical defense of "shitty" music. See edit, go to hell.

But seriously, do you really think that "Rock N' Roll" is good, just not in an "indie" way?

LOL.


I'm sorry, I thought I was in the humor section...lighten up.

I am not a fan of Ryan Adams, however, my wife listens to his music consistently (she does change the disc every once in a while for Wilco, Jay Farrar and some very old Cure).

I promised to attend his show here in Austin on June 16th with the Mrs. and listen to this record with an open mind. I have to admit I believe this record is his best since Whiskeytown, however, I remain tempted to yell "Summer of 69" if he elects to play that Morrisey sounding song at the show on the 16th. . .

Apparently, according to sources, this would be the least original thing you could do at a Ryan Adams show. But, Ive heard it often makes him get pissed and throw a fit. Good for a few chuckles if the show goes south.

The show always goes south because he starts ranting about some bullshit written about him that we're all supposed to know about and be outraged with him.

The new record is PASSABLE, and has no business being a double disc. Compared to Rock & Roll, it's Blood on the Tracks.

Right. I've heard that as well (i.e. - the story of him at the Ryman in Nashville), but, that is what makes it oh, so very tempting. . .

ive been a ryan adams fan since whiskeytown. so my opinion is def. slanted.

but i dont think people "got" rock and roll. no, its not a great album at face value. but that fact that his record label had shit on 'love is hell' the album he wanted to release and then he went back into the studio and basicly pulled this entire album out of his ass and recorded it in such small amount of time -- ripped off the name of every song from other artists -- then called the album "rock and roll" as if he was telling the record company: "fine if you want a comercial album, i'll throw one out there for ya"....

i think the album is steeped in some twisted irony and alway keep in mind how and why the album even exists....

as to yelling "summer of '60", does anyone remember when robbie fulks was telling people that if they were thrown out of a ryan adams concert for yelling bryan adams references he would personally refund their ticket.

"come pick me up" and "Winding Wheel">"Nuclear">Gold>RockNRoll>this new one>Heartbreaker.

Get over it, Heartbreaker has two good songs, and a funny intro. The rest is uber meh.

New one kicks ass. I would like to see him take some of the slower tunes off and make a midtempo single disc, but its Ryan...

And I don't see why you people don't like seeing train wrecks. I'd love to see a show where he went "billy"

I'm personally not a fan of 'Easy Plateau' or 'Mockingbirdsing.' There are a couple of others that sort of sound like filler to me but overall I'm really digging the album.

As for Rock 'n Roll, I think I like one song and can tollerate about 4-5 others. I think it's cool that he made the album to throw in the execs' faces and can respect that. I've only heard this was his intention recently, though. When the album came out he just talked about how it was a tribute to all of the styles that influenced him, blah, blah, blah. It's definitely his worst regardless of why he recorded it.

GAR, You did pick the two best songs from Heartbreaker, but I have to disagree with with the "uber meh" analysis, and I'm agog that you've put the rest of it under "Nuclear" much less RockNRoll. I mean, you've listened to all of Gold and RockNRoll, right? You're not just voicing your opinion on Heartbreaker? You wouldn't even put crap like "Sylvia Plath" below, say, "Oh My Sweet Carolina" or "Bartering Lines?"

He didn't just shit on his label with Rock & Roll, he shat all over people who bought it as well. I wouldn't have released Love is Hell either. He was blazing a trail towards being a mainstream star, and then wrote a record without a single.

Heartbreaker is the only record with any attention to detail before this new one. Completely credit who the musicians are for that (Gillian Welch & her husband). Actually, the bonus disc on Gold is really good, but that album contains some serious lemons.

I put all three of those songs in the boring country crooner category, that I think is just as mucha put on as Rock N Roll.

I am a fan of Rock N Roll. Here is my letter to Pitchfork from when they reviewed it...about 3 mos before my ignominious debut at cmj:

Surprise, Surprise, Surprise, Pitchfork slags the new Ryan Adams. I was waiting for this development, and frankly thought you'd put it up sooner, if at least to keep your dutiful masses from rushing out and wasting their hard earned money, when it could have been spent on some shit no one has ever heard of, let alone likes.

Suffice it to say, I read Pitchfork every single day. (Second sight I hit, after a cursory email check) And I like it, but COME ON, man. The thing about the review, and the Pitchfork stand vs. RA, is that the reviewer's perspective is that RA is squandering the potential shown on "Heartbreaker."

Well, here's a newsflash: "Heartbreaker" SUCKS!. There are three or four good songs on there, and only one that is anything approaching "essential," "Come Pick Me Up." The rest is mostly what your reviewer accuses Rock and Roll of being, self-consciously tossed-off shite that he is hoping people will listen to, and say "That Ryan Adams, he sure is deep." No, he's not. He's a dude who makes decent records, and is a master poseur. But, here's the thing, at least he's making a go of being a rockstar. At least he's out getting wasted, and acting like a dick. It may be fake, but I'll take a put-on rockstare over some Nietzche quoting phlebe any day.

When I heard "So Alive," I thought, this sounds like u2, but it rocks. When I listen to Luminol, I think, wow, that's the best Replacements song in years. When I here "Wish You Were Here," I say That's about right, as far life goes these days. Ansd so on. I won't say its groundbreaking, but a solid 7.5. Crank that fucker up one more time, and I mean LOUD, and maybe you'll get it. But probably not, as I am sure you do not want to. Anyway, keep up the good work, I'd rather be pissed off by a wrongheaded review than here how good the new release from Def-Jux is anyday.

Thank you for your time,
LooGAR

Ahhh.

I liked Heartbreaker. Thought Gold was a big piece of crap. That kept me away from everything else. I've never heard a single song off of Love is Hell or Rock n Roll. Bought Cold Roses and think it's fantastic. Right now, I think Cold Roses is much better than Heartbreaker. And I think if Ryan Adams would have followed Heartbreaker with Cold Roses, everybody would being creaming their pants for this guy.

That's exactly what's wrong with record companies. They don't want to be involved with letting an artist grow or express themselves the way they want to. I understand it's all about money. Just sayin' it's shame.

Best thing since Gold & Heartbreaker, but not as good as Strangers or Faithless St. Call his prolific/tempermental ass what you want, but the guy knows how to write a good song.

No offense, but Okkervil River (haven't heard the new one, but like the previous release) & Bright Eyes are not in Ryan's league.

np -nothing

In terms of consistency across an entire album, I'd say the last two Okkervil albums beat out any Adams solo album, possibly including Heartbreaker. Whether you think the songwriting holds up is another matter, but at least they wait to have 11 good songs before they release an album.

Unfortunately for Ryan, quality of recorded material is not measured in potential.

I respect your opinion Haq and these matters always boil down to personal preference anyway, no right or wrong. I have 'Down the River', played it quite a bit and thought there were a few sign-posts of indication that these guys have some potential, but nothing more IMHO. Just another one of those records that'll just sit and collect dust.
A couple of friends have pointed out that the 'new' record is a definite step-up so i picked it up and plan on crackin' the seal this weekend.
So we shall see . .

well, after a bunch of listens, i like cold roses better than anything he's done except heartbreaker, gold & faithless street. it has a classic album feel to it, and his earnestness carries the album. his influences aren't as apparent, or at least not as apparently absurd, which makes it more enjoyable to me.

definite best-of-year candidate, altho i go in being a big ryan adams fan as it is. outside of the decemberists and bright eyes wide awake, his #1 competition for best-album-of-year will probably come from himself if 29 & jacksonville are released this year and are as good (if not better).