1 of 1

Write now Article Tools

Page 2 of 2

glorious finish to number. Again foot tapping is the order of the day and the album seems to be heading off firmly in a country rock direction. But if those two numbers tip a cowboy hat to Adams lively past, "Answering Bell" prepares us for the more laid back and subtle stance that he has adopted as he's matured. This is almost a soul number with a country make over, steel pedal guitars and banjo licks interplay in the background but the with different instrumentation the song would not sound out of place on a Marvin Gaye album.

At this point the album slips into a different groove, "La Cienega Just Smiled" and "The Rescue Blues" both feature the piano a lot more and the pace slips back a notch into a laid-back blues ballad territory. But Adams is not a voice that ever sounds less than pained and it suits these numbers and stops them from becoming just another slow ballad, the latter incorporating some wonderful gospel harmonies as it builds to a powerful finish. There is a lot of experimentation on this album, which shows the prolific and creative nature of the man. Many artists would be content to stick to the style that they had become known for but Adams is brave enough to thread all sorts of musical ideas and converging styles through his music. "When the Stars Go Blue" is a minimal heart wrenching ballad just a lonely man wrenching every ounce of emotion out of his acoustic guitar, "Sylvia Plath" is similarly wind swept a sparse but hear employing a piano and a violin.

After mellowing out somewhat the power chords and overdriven electric guitar of "Enemy Fire" comes as quite a shock after the previous numbers. It's a song of power and restraint; the song struts along slowly, building suspense and dynamic, awaiting that big change that never happens. Adams allows himself a bit of an electric guitar work out for a change but doesn't need to prove anything by getting too carried away. What ever he turns his hand too, his tortured country credentials are evident particularly on "Harder Now That Its Over" an intimate tale of two people who self destruct in a relationship, all that remains is this lovelorn unrequited swan song. "Tina Toledo's Street Walkin'Blues" is that step into Stones territory that you know he really belongs in and the album winds down with the wistful "Goodnight, Hollywood Blvd." A piano ballad that really puts a full stop to the album.

Although Adams has made many albums since, sales have never topped this album and as it stands this album is regarded as his finest hour to date. If you want an introduction to one of the most creative country rockers of recent times, a man that wears his heart on his sleeve, sings pure pained emotion to create some beautiful songs then this album is for you. Its like Gram Parsons never died.

Learn more about this author, Dave Franklin.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

• << previous page
• 1
• 2

Add your voice

Know something about Album reviews: Gold, by Ryan Adams?
We want to hear your view. Write now!