Tighten Up the Set

Ryan Adams has a history of rubbing people the wrong way and he's arguably the most frustrating talent in music. Here's why. (Via Kaus, sorry but I still can't quite figure out how his permalinks work.)

But instead of carefully cultivating the momentum, Adams seemed to subvert it, leaving the field open to new forces such as Bright Eyes' Conor Oberst. The last couple of years have been a dizzying collage of high-profile girlfriends (Parker Posey, Winona Ryder, Beth Orton et al.), public tantrums, battles with his record label, a broken wrist, an ear infection and canceled tours.

Adams' three albums this year — the two-CD set "Cold Roses," "Jacksonville City Nights" and the new "29" — are the products of the creative drive that Adams put into gear after recovering from the broken wrist — an injury he suffered early last year in a fall from a stage in Liverpool.

His moments of brilliance have kept fans hooked, but the volume and inconsistency of his output have created a consensus that he would be better off spending more time on one record and putting out fewer of them.

Adams goes on to be quoted about this view of his work.

"I am kind of quite sick of people going, 'If he would have just taken all three of these records and dumped them down to one album he would have a perfect double album.' It's like, 'Well you guys be my ... manager, then. I don't know, I like them all. I figure, you know, Mom makes too much meatloaf means we got leftovers. It doesn't mean that she did something wrong."

From his perspective as "the artist" you can't disagree with him. Even as "a fan" I tend to fall in line with his assessment. He's become one of the handful of artists that I'll buy whatever he puts out. But as his friends and record company people in the article claim, it's hard to grow an audience releasing 3 albums (one of which is a double-cd) inside 8 months. So as a "consumer" who is not a diehard fan you're screwed somewhat.

One of the guys at Hickory Wind put together his version of a Ryan Adams album culling the songs from the three releases down to 15 songs. I agree with most of his choices, but below the fold are the songs I'd put together to create The Great Ryan Adams Album of 2005.

Hickory Wind creates a song order based not only on the tempo of the songs but by theme as well. I'll just try to go by how they sound together regardless of theme. There are some dupes from the HW post. I'll use the same abbreviations he used to signify which album the songs are from: CR1-Cold Roses Disc 1, CR2-Cold Roses Disc 2, JCN-Jacksonville City Nights, 29-29.

1. "Cherry Lane" (CR1): He sings the first line with a country/yodle/twang that I love. 
2. "Easy Plateu" (CR2): Solid song, not a great song.
3. "Let It Ride" (CR2): This is a great song, HW calls it "the best song Adams has released this year" and I agree.
4. "Beautiful Sorta" (CR1): HW notes Adams' intro "When I say L-U-V, you better believe me L-U-V. Gimme a beer," which is a rip-off/homage to the New York Dolls intro for "Looking for a Kiss." David Johansen begins it with "When I say I'm in love, you best believe I'm in love, L-U-V."
5. "September" (JCN): Milblogger and singer/songwriter GoldFalcon has the lyrics to this song over in this post.
6. "Hard Way to Fall" (JCN): This is just behind "Let It Ride" and "Dance All Night" as my favorite of the bunch. He tells a good story on this one, singing to his ex-girlfriend's new beau. At least for part of the song.
7. "Cold Roses" (CR2): Picking up the pace again.
8. "The Hardest Part" (JCN): Another solid country-type rocker.
9. "Dear John" (JCN): Duet with Norah Jones. Very nice.
10. "When Will You Come Back Home" (CR1): I think this is my wife's favorite song out of all of these.
11. "Dance All Night" (CR2): Just behind "Let It Ride," maybe even 1A for best song.
12. "Blossom" (CR2): Pretty good song.
13. "Carolina Rain" (29): Another "pretty good song."
14. "The End" (JCN): "Oh, Jacksonville how you burn in my soul/ how you hold all my dreams captive."
15. "29" (29): Bluesy tune to end the set.

29 only has nine songs on it and I haven't really had a chance to listen to it too much so that explains the minimal representation. Also I don't think it's as good as the other two cds. The wonder that is iTunes now allows you buy individual tracks so if you couldn't decide which Ryan Adams album to buy go pick up these fifteen.

Comments

[Steve]

I'm sure you'll find it hard to believe, but I don't own any Ryan Adams CDs. But I've liked the bits and pieces of songs I've heard. What one or two would you recommend as good starters?

[Rob A.]

Tough one.

Heartbreaker: 1st solo album after he broke up Whiskeytown. Contains his best song, IMHO, "Come Pick Me Up." Worth it just for that tune, but also includes several other "great" songs: Oh My Sweet Carolina, Winding Wheel, To Be Young (To Be Sad), and Damn Sam (I Love a Woman That Rains).

Gold: His commercial breakout featuring New York, New York and When the Stars Go Blue (which was covered by The Corrs and Bono). Several other very good to near great songs.

Demolition: I'm pretty sure this was just a throw away album of left over material but it might be my favorite in that I think I really like every song on it. You can also tell he's feeling out his rock chops which led to...

Rock N Roll: Pass on this one. Uneven (how's that for a rock critic word). I think was living too close to CBGB's and tried to channel some of that scene but he's better at the country-rock end of the spectrum, I feel.

Love Is Hell [EP] & Love Is Hell [Full Version]: I think I only have the EP and while "Avalanche" is in my Top 10 Ryan Adams songs, I say pass. Also, his slow-ass version of "Wonderwall" isn't is a good as you think after the first couple of listenings.

Which brings us to the three from the post and while I lean towards JCN, Cold Roses is close. Also, I only really know one of the Whiskeytown albums, Pneumonia which is unbelievable.

So in summation:

If you're looking for just one, go with Heartbreaker. If you like it check out Gold, Demolition, and Pneumonia.