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Ryan Adams - Love Is Hell Parts 1 and 2 |
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04 August 2005 |
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Ryan Adams
Love Is Hell Part 1 / Love Is Hell Part 2 - (Lost Highway)
This was initially rejected by Lost Highway?
If that was the case, you could probably go on and on about everything that's wrong with the music business for hours. But that's another topic for another time - my soapbox is in for repairs. The end result is that we have these two EPs here from Mr. Ryan Adams, he who had just recently dekcoR N delloR with one of the finest power pop records of last year. That was "rockin'" Ryan. Love Is Hell presents "somber and melancholy" Ryan. Lotsa Ryans. Lotsa good Ryans, too. The version represented here offers up much in the way of beautifully put together tunes from the heart. Songs like the emotional "This House Is Not For Sale" and "Shadowlands" (the latter featuring some outstanding Mark Knopfler-styled guitar) are candidates for songs that could get a revamp into something more akin to Heartbreaker , the CD that everyone wants Adams to repeat. He makes his case here for a more "produced" sound and, unlike Gold , proves that he can indeed make this work. He even manages to sell a superior version of Oasis' "Wonderwall". The songs above are all from Part 1 of the set, and the consistency is maintained through Part 2 as well. Adams pulls off an impressive lounge-type delivery on "My Blue Manhattan" while showing more than a little soul with "City Rain, City Streets". Throughout both sets, Adams benefits from musical support that never overplays and tastefully pulls the reins in, letting Adams material take its deserved spotlight. Actually, these could be some of the finest musicians Adams has worked with. I can't help but think that Adams is following his instincts, celebrity be damned. This is clearly music that we will not hear on the radio (even if Lost Highway was pushing it more than the non-existent level of support they're showing for it now). Love Is Hell is made up of some pretty deep testimonials that, thankfully, avoid cliche. As a result, Joe and Josephine Average-CD-Buyer aren't going to warm up to it, but discretionary ears likely will. And they have plenty to walk away with.
8.0
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