Sound: Twangy pedal steel, barroom piano, longing violin, Ryan Adams’ yodeling/crooning and more combine to make his truest, old school country album to date. However, there are some less rootsy and more somber, singer/songwriter introspections that slow down the pace and rank as the weaker moments.
Lyrics: Mostly consist of drunken tales of heartache
Note: This is his second album release of the year (the first being the double album Cold Roses back in May), and he’s slated to release a third album in December. He’s always prolific, but rarely selective enough.
Heavy Rotation tracks: “The End“; “Peaceful Valley”
Medium Rotation tracks: “A Kiss Before I Go“; “The Hardest Part”
Recommended: To those impressed by Ryan Adams chameleonlike ability to assimilate to his favorite genre of the month. There are some strong moments here that may open his alt country fans ears to more traditionalist terrain. Too bad he didn’t shave a few tracks and stick with the twangier vibe throughout.
Grade: B-