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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.

Demolition
by Ryan Adams


7.5

based on 15 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

based on 12 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album

As the title implies, this is not a true follow-up to 2001's 'Gold,' but rather a collection of demo recordings--13 never-before-released tracks (down from a rumored four-CD set!) captured on tape during spare moments while on tour.

LABEL:	Universal
RELEASE DATE:	24 September 2002
DISCS:	1 disc
GENRE(S):	Indie, Rock, Alt-Country

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

E! Online

A good amount of Demolition screams quality.

Uncut

Demolition is further proof that his creative instinct is still intact. [Album of the Month, Oct 2002, p.100]

PopMatters

Demolition is a fine addition to Adams' discography in that it gives an overview of the differing musical styles Adams has been exploring while his critical stock has been hitting overdrive.

Mojo

Depending what side you take in the Heartbreaker v. Gold debate, you'll like some tracks more than others. [Oct 2002, p.92]

CDNow

The rockers here, however, aren't his best work, sounding like the Goo Goo Dolls with steel guitars.

Billboard

Gold left many Adams fans listening in awe at the leaps and bounds by which he was growing as a songwriter. This record doesn't do that; and though that's just fine, it makes Demolition less diverse and ultimately less exciting.

Launch.com

When Adams sticks to the pop-rock mode, he can be dynamic as well as one of the cleverest pop thieves since Nick Lowe.

Dot Music

'Demolition' may be a rare example of purely commercial dictates - namely, what was doubtless a label decision to downsize from a threatened four-CD boxed set - improving the art in question.

The Onion (A.V. Club)

Its songs are sketchy but affable, with a confidence that makes the half-hooks sound almost indelible.

Entertainment Weekly

The songs are a slight bunch, and for all the reported heartache and pain that went into them, they're strangely uninvolving.

Q Magazine

An album largely split between moments of hushed intimacy and gonzoid rocksers that tend to pitch themselves between The Replacements, Tom Petty and -- presumably unwittingly -- U2 circa War. [Oct 2002, p.101]

Rolling Stone

The ballads, many recorded with steel guitarist Bucky Baxter, are much better than the rockers.

Stylus Magazine

There’s really nothing to this record.

Pitchfork

While Demolition forgoes the overproduction and even much of the shameless rock-god posturing that plagued Gold, Adams hasn't yet found his way out of his songwriting rut.

Blender

Honors shifts in style over substance. [#11, p.124]

The average user rating for this album is 7.5 (out of 10) based on 12 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Matt P gave it a9:
Not his best but still on a level most in the business can only dream of hitting! It still has the classic adams voice singing songs like no other! Sir Spite Full, you are full of shit!

paddy o gave it a9:
Great album, dear Chicago is simply fantastic

Seamus S gave it an8:
Sir Spite Full Nice Job Not Having A Life Anyway Demolition is a nice little collection for any big fan of Ryan. it doesnt offer anything new but at the same time has some of the great moments expected in a Ryan Adams Record. Good times

sasha gave it a 10:
incredible. if you like ryan adams, you will LOVE this.

Benjamin Bunny gave it a 6:
Ultimately a fans-only release, "Demolition" is exactly as scattershot as you'd expect a collection of demos to be: a few memorable tracks and a few more mediocre ones.

Stephanie B gave it a 9:
This isn't as good as Gold but what could possibly be better than Gold anyway. Give the man a break! Demolition would be worth buying just for the fantastic Chin up Cheer up. The songs are all great if not fantastic. A man whose demos are this good is definately going somewhere.

lakey h gave it a 10:
all the critic that are down have no sould, this guy touches the sould with honesty and truth! Halleleuja!!

Demolition by Ryan Adams

Demolition
by Ryan Adams