Ryan Adams - Cold Roses

This brings us to your latest release, Cold Roses. Cold Roses is your first release out of a planned three this year alone. Plus, it’s a double record. I was a little skeptical about this record.

Dear Ryan,

The first time I heard your music I hated you. It was in my friend’s car. They had just purchased your record Rock N Roll, and man did I hate it. I hated everything about it. From the music itself to superficial crap like the stupid pose of yours on the cover of the record. Then one of my friends referred me to your solo debut Heartbreaker. I was a little skeptical at first. Because hey, I hated Rock N Roll. But he kept pressuring me and I caved in. I listened to Heartbreaker. “Holy crap. Heartbreaker is great.” I didn’t want to admit it. I made such a big deal to my friends about how much I didn’t like you. But songs like “My Winding Wheel”, “My Sweet Carolina”, and “Come Pick Me Up” were so incredible; I couldn’t deny it any longer. You were a great musician.

I then bought your next record Gold. Again, I was in awe. Gold was amazing as well. It was a little more happy then Heartbreaker. But hey, there’s nothing wrong with that. Soon the purchase of Demolition followed. I was addicted. I couldn’t help it. I was a huge fan of yours. I couldn’t get enough of these three records. Then I bought Love Is Hell. It was your attempt at “mope-rock.” It wasn’t a bad record, just not the best. I felt with this, along with Rock N Roll, you were trying a bit too hard. You were relying on your image a bit more then on your songwriting ability; which, on these two records, were slacking a bit.

This brings us to your latest release, Cold Roses. Cold Roses is your first release out of a planned three this year alone. Plus, it’s a double record. I was a little skeptical about this record. You lowered my expectations with your last two records, but as soon as I put this record on, all signs of nervousness left my system for good. I felt like you were back. You seem a bit more relaxed, letting your true songwriting abilities shine through. 

Maybe this change is in part due to the band you credit with writing this record with, The Cardinals. The Cardinals complement you well. Songs like “Magnolia Mountain”, “Meadowlake Street”, “Let It Ride” and “How Do You Keep Love Alive”, are some of the best songs you have ever written. Sure, there are a few missteps here and there; and sure, you probably could have left a few songs off and put together one incredible record. But this is probably your best work since Gold; maybe even your best since Heartbreaker.    

Thank you Ryan, for not relying on your image so much and just letting your songs speak for themselves. 

Sincerely,

Derek

(Lost Highway)