I picked up this album the other other day for like two bucks used on a whim and a chance and damn if it isn't good. If I like this where should I go from here? I remember someone saying awhile back that his output is sort of uneven.

What other albums of his would you recommend I buy next?...or is this his only good one?

jacksonville city nights has established itself as my second favorite solo release from him.

I would get Cold Roses and Love is Hell. Those are my two favorites by him.

I really like his versatility on this album.


He can make a nice little early-Beatlesque rocker to start, then do a bittersweet alt-country tune, and even try a Johnny Cash impersonation on here all while retaining his own personal stamp on the songs rather than sounding like a retread.

Impressive.

If you like Heartbreaker, you'll probably really like most of his output. The only one I never warmed up to (as much as the others) is Rock and Roll. But I have them all and really like his stuff.

My ranking would be:

Gold
Heartbreaker
Love is Hell
Cold Roses
Jacksonville City Lights
Demolition
Rock and Roll

I'd go ahead and throw Rock'n Roll in there as well. But I really want to take the chance to say that Cold Roses is the shit. My favorite album by him hands down.

I can't listen to it because he's smoking on the cover.

After this one, get Cold Roses. Then go back and listen to some Whiskeytown - proceed through each Whiskeytown album and if you still need more Ryan after that, get Gold, but try not to listen to "Sylvia Plath." Then stop.

(I don't own Jacksonville City Lights)

edit: I also need to listen to Cold Roses again.

I think Cold Roses is his best. Gold has some very good songs, but the production kind of bothers me a bit and it's a tad long. I liked the bonus disc alot.

heartbreaker>gold>cold roses>[don't know]