29 - Ryan Adams

Advantages: A very simplisctic, but understated album
Disadvantages: It will take a while to get into, a few tracks take a lot of listens to get into

...the mainstream. His latest offering 29 was released in the run up to Christmas and as I've been really enjoying a few of his albums decided to get a hold of a copy. Ryan has been spending a lot of time working with his band The Cardinals and this solo album is in fact his third album release of the year. He has really gone for a simplistic arrangement on this new album, stepping away from the more complete sound The Cardinals enjoy. Instead this ...
...mood albums and Ryan Adams 29 really falls into that category. There is no one clear influence on the whole album, with Ryan's writing ability fliting back and forth between Country and much mellower rock tracks. The diversity of this album will open it to a much larger audience but Adams seems to be making music for his own enjoyment rather than targeting a specific market. Personally there are a couple of tracks that sound particularly good with ... Read review

Advantages: Fantastic, best I've heard in this genre.
Disadvantages: Takes a while to get into it but keep at it...its worth it!!

Since discovering Ryan Adams and not just thinking of him as that guy with a similar name to Bryan Adams, I have become an avid fan!! I absolutely love his music!! I must admit that I'd been listening to the rock n roll album and some of the albums from his former band Whiskey Town before this but at first I just didn't get it! It just sounded like nothing, just like rubbish music that plays in the background like when your in a shop but the trick ...
...the songs that grow on you as after a little persistence listening its now one of my favourite albums of all time it really is just remarkably, exceptionally beautiful and I now hold him in high regard up there with Jeff Buckley and the 'Grace' album. Just mentioning Jeff Buckley there if you like Jeff Buckley, Bob Dylan, Damien Rice, Cold Play, Nick Drake, Elliott Smith or any of these kind of artists then honestly you will absolutely love Ryan ... Read review

Advantages: Excellent songwriting
Disadvantages: Not the most upbeat album in world

Depending on what you’ve heard about Ryan Adams before now it may cloud your judgement on this release. Please don’t let it. This was the 3rd and most low key release of 2006 from the drug-addled workaholic / one of the best singer-songwriters of his generation (delete as appropriate) and in my opinion the best. The title refers to the fact that he was about to turn 30 when writing the album and each of the 9 songs featured are apparently about significant ...
...less ‘in-your-face’ country than some of his other work, bearing more similarities to ‘Love is Hell’ than ‘Jacksonville City Nights’ and I have to admit that I think he produces his best work when taking this approach. This is definitely not an album that you can just fling on anytime as background music, it is probably best enjoyed at around 2am and in a reflective mood when you can really immerse yourself in the details. Only the title track and ... Read review

This album has a darker, more introspective and nostalgic feel than Jacksonville City Lights and Cold Roses, which were released in the same year. Album highlights include Carolina Rain and Night Birds. As the title suggests 29 recalls the memories, mayhem and losses of life in your twenties. "I feel like a body stuffed into a trunk, from a million years of lying and getting drunk". There is a sadness to this album that can make the listener feel slightly awkward - like you are peeking through a window of a dark house watching someone falling apart inside. If you don't mind feeling like that then I would highly recommend it.

Advantages: Pure genius, quality rock n roll!!
Disadvantages: None at all - go buy it now!!

...folk/songwriterish songs and love artists like Damien Rice, Jeff Buckley, Coldplay, Elliott Smith and Bob Dylan then you'll love Ryan Adams but maybe start with '29' 'Cold Roses' or 'Jacksonville City Nights'. Or even Whiskey Town's 'Pneumonia' which I fantastic!! Favorite tracks: I was gonna list my favorite tracks on the album but realized I was just selecting the whole album so just listen to it all. BTW 'Do Miss America' features that guy from Green Day (Billie Joe Armstrong). The full track listings for the album are as follows: 1) This Is It 2) Shallow 3) 1974 4) Wish You Were Here 5) So Alive 6) Luminol 7) Burning The Photographs 8) She's Lost Total Control 9) Note To Self: Don't Die 10) Rock N Roll 11) Anybody Wanna Take Me Home 12) Do Miss America 13) Boys 14) The Drugs Not Working 15) Hypnotixed... Read review

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