Ryan Adams

The other day my mate said that my rants were too much about football. He's right. So today I'm gonna rant about my other love, music. And in particular about Ryan Adams. Not Bryan Adams, but Ryan Adams, without the B.

For those who don't know Ryan Adams, he's a great singer-songwriter. His songs are mostly alt-country. In 2001 his album Gold received critical acclaim and made him one of the best singer-songwriter out there. That was followed by Demolition. In 2003, Adams wanted to bring out an album called Love Is Hell. He finished it, but the label, Lost Highway, didn't like it. Adams was ordered to make another album. Some arguing and fighting continued, but Adams gave up, went into the recording studio and came out with Rock N Roll. He recorded it in 2 weeks and was basically him cranking up the guitars.

The critics didn't know how to perceive it. Because this album is so unlike Ryan Adams. In Q, it said that Ryan Adams is being ironic and now is rocking just like Bryan Adams, to please those fans who are always asking for "Summer of 69" at his concerts. In Rolling Stone they loved it, just like most of the other critics.

After releasing Rock N Roll, Lost Highway agreed to release Love Is Hell as two EPs. That way the fans will know what Adams was going through and why Lost Highway didn't want to release it as an album. Well, I got both EPs and Rock N Roll.

I honestly think Rock N Roll is overrated. It's a good album, but not something you expect from Ryan Adams. His lyrics weren't too deep and basically he's angry. Angry at Lost Highway for not letting him release Love Is Hell. He's pounding his guitars, screaming out song after song. It's a commercial record. Calling it one of the best albums in 2003 is not right in my opinion. He could have easily done better than that. Listening to Love Is Hell it reminds you of the real Ryan Adams. The moody one. Part 1 is really dark and moody and it just makes you stare into space. I guess it's a bit too dark for Lost Highway's liking. Part 2 is a bit more beat, but still as dark. I prefer Love Is Hell over Rock N Roll anytime.



But going back to Ryan Adams, if you haven't heard him yet, go get Gold and then Love Is Hell. If you already did, which one do you prefer? Rock N Roll or Love Is Hell?