I don't want this blog to seem like the 'Ryan Adams music blog'(who am I kidding with that one?)But something on my musical mind at the moment is the thorough dismissal of '29'.At the time I did wonder if it was possible for any mere mortal to produce a hat-trick of jawdropping albums in a mere year,but after hearing the album I no longer wondered.To me the album will forever be tangled up in some unfortunate personal history but despite that I adore it.No it isn't the lightest listening experience but the fragility and poetry on display are both utterly inspiring and phenomenally devastating.Yet it seems such thoughts are in a big minority,with even the Ryan-friendly 'Uncut' describing it as "weak",with 'Filter'calling it an album that meant "pretty much nothing to no-one".I'm sorry but it meant and means an awful lot to me.So that's the rant of the day.The album isn't necessarily easy to digest but it's well worth investing some time in,for 'Strawberry Wine'alone.The lyrics read like short stories and tell well woven stories of heartache and loss.
Elsewhere musically I am enjoying Emily Haines a lot at the moment.I saw her live recently with the Soft Skeleton and she was wonderful.'Knives Don't Have Your Back'is an awesome record.At first I wasn't hugely impressed but it worked its magic on me in a subtle style.Again the lyrics are well written(basically the first thing I look for in music)and the simplicity of the piano accompaniment is really striking and effective.That sounds like I'm writing a review but I guess I am,informally at least.I have since invested in 'Live it Out' by Metric too.I have listened to them before and liked what I heard,but the beguilling Emily Haines has led me to investigate her repetoire further.
I'm also enjoying delving into Bruce Springsteen's back catalogue at the moment,although I have a long way to go.It seems I can only ever discover or become a fan of bands with a vast expanse of back catalogue.Like The National.I listened to 'Alligator'and wasn't fully moved,but still investigated 'Boxer'and well,that was that.'Slow Show'will be on my end of year mix.Yet my initial joy at finding them gave way to a sigh after seeing they have a total of four albums plus an EP to their name.I mean really,is it too much to ask to like a band with only one album?I guess not because I seem to favour the more mature artist,the kind with a lifetime of dysfunctions to their name.Meaning lots of CDs and little cash is a constant state for me.Still,I will be in London tomorrow for the White Stripes meaning I have an excuse to rummage through some record shops along the way.
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6 comments:
When 29 was released I was still trying to digest Cold Roses and JCN and I didn't really have much time for 29. Since then, I have come to appreciate it a lot more. It's definitely grows. I suppose your enthusiasm to write about Rx was inspired by your recent visit to see him in Manchester. Reviews are nothing in comparison with personal connections and meanings.
Easy Tiger is beautiful.
You said that lyrics are the first thing you notice in a song. I think that's very much the same way I listen to music. If a band creates terrible lyrics they would be better off just playing the song as an instrumental. Lyrical eloquence provides the greatest amount of inspiration (for me, at least).
I'm tired. Whatever..
Thank you for your comment,I appreciate you reading!It took me a while to appreciate '29'too but it was definitely worth spending a bit of time with.You're right about seeing Ryan inspiring me to write about him a lot,a truly magnificent gig makes all the music appreciating worthwhile!
Thanks for letting me know about your blog; there's some great writing on here about lots of music I love very deeply.
I must say, I love 29 as an album. It took me no time at all to get into it, and I think I ranked it as the second best album of that year (behind Cold Roses, of course). I'm a lyrics person too, and that along with the gorgeous music made me an instant fan of the record. I'm sad to see that other people don't appreciate it, but I really think it's brilliant.
I also enjoyed reading about the Manics concert you went to. They haven't toured in America in forever, so I'm afraid I may never get to see them. They are one of my very favorite bands, and I would love to see them live. I can't imagine how that would be for me. But I'm glad you enjoyed the show and that you're liking the new record. I think it's fantastic.
Glad to see you're an Idlewild fan as well! I did get to see them live two years ago, and they sounded terrific. Such a great band. :)
Thank you for your lovely comment,it's good to see there are other '29'fans out there.
It's such a shame the Manics rarely play in the US,hopefully you will get to see them sometime though as I imagine you would LOVE it if after waiting for so long.
I've seen Idlewild live quite a lot of times and they are wonderful,one of my favourite live bands.
Yes! 29 is such an underrated album. What self-respecting Ryan Adams fan can complain about songs like Strawberry Wine, Carolina Rain, Starlite Diner and Elizabeth, You Were Born to Play That Part? And it's interesting because in recent interviews Ryan has admitted that lately he and the Cardinals get most excited about playing 29 and Love Is Hell tunes. They obviously love playing I See Monsters, which is a fantastic, almost Oasis-esque, song. As a music fan who lived in the mountains of North Carolina for five years, I can tell you 29 accurately captures the beauty and sadness of that landscape. And further proving the high level of Ryan's universal talent, the album now complements my New York surroundings just as well.
Thank you very much for the comment,it's good to know my ramblings are reaching likeminded people!
It's also wonderful to hear how Ryan's songs compliment the landscapes they came from and yet can fit into my English urban landscape too!
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