With 14 studio albums since the turn of the millennium, it’s justifiable to declare Ryan Adams a seasoned master of the alternative genre. Whether it’s been as a solo artist or leader of The Cardinals, Adams is arguably the best song writer of his generation. An artist for whom making records seems to be a natural process. A musician who has received praise from Noel Gallagher himself, for taking us to a whole new dimension with his rendition of ‘Wonderwall’.
For the avid followers of Ryan Adams they’ve had to wait 3 years between its predecessor Ashes & Fire and this record. That may not seem like a long time but for a fanbase that is accustomed to relentlessly receiving a new album virtually every year, the wait for this one feels like somewhat of a lifetime. Is it worth the wait? Undoubtedly.
5 seconds into the record and all doubting critics are utterly quelled by the raw, haunting riff of the first single of the album, ‘Gimme Something Good’. The single is articulated in a liberated blues overdrive arrangement accompanied by a powerful vocal from Adams. The track is a successful exertion of a stadium anthem – a comprehensive contrast to the previous release.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0zjpJNhC0M?rel=0]
While the record has attitude guitar strutting, it is neatly poised by soft, slow rocking numbers such as the enigmatic ‘Kim’ – an exhibit of Adams’ lyrical prowess. “With this key, scratched into my arm / I spell out your name, it’s ringing in my head / like a false alarm”: written in first person, this track is a proverbial display of the Jacksonville-born rockers song-writing techniques. Oh and by the way, a certain Johnny Depp laid down a guitar piece on this track. It doesn’t get much cooler than that now, does it?
The 11 tracked record flaunts an array of musical influences. ‘Trouble’ and ‘Shadows’ resonate a Doors effect. ‘Am I safe’ is admittedly a track influenced by The Smiths,k whilst ‘Stay with Me’ could easily be a hit single by Stevie Nicks.
The highlight of the self-titled album is ‘Wrecking Ball’, nothing more than Adams and an acoustic guitar demonstrating dark, honest formalities of life. In one song Adams is able to complete the record, the track holds everything together. It’s a harsh fact of life that “all the walls we built, they rise and they fall”. Expressing that relationships no matter how good, how strong, or deeply bonded have a start, middle and an end. This particular track is a clear reference to the death of Adams’ grandmother who has been a detrimental influence on the making of the album: “I wish I could call you / I wish you were still around”. This track epitomises the sentiment of losing someone and feeling like you’ve got “nothing left in the tank”.
The album resounds devices of an astute songwriter. Adams is able to reach out and share the experience with the listener by using first person writing. Feeling his emotion through a record and being able to relate. This personalised lyrical tactic is one which continues to be a key to success for artists such as Adele and Laura Marling. In contemporary music it may be a rare type of song writing, but it’s by far the most effective and critically praised method. Ryan Adams is an artist who is solely about expression: a true, honest musician.
8/10
Words by Aaron Spencer