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Ashes & Fire
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  • Release Date:
Ashes & Fire Image
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 38 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 22 Ratings

  • Summary: The North Carolina-born singer's 13th album was produced by Glyn Johns, and it is his first since he left the band in part to Meniere's disease in 2009.
  • Record Label: Capitol
  • Genre(s): Country, Alt-Country, Americana, Pop/Rock, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Contemporary Singer/Songwriter, Alternative Pop/Rock, Alternative Singer/Songwriter, Alternative Country-Rock
  • More Details and Credits »

Top Track

Ashes & Fire
As he stared past the fire “Cause I’m gonna leave while I know his ” Your skin smelled like black cherry blossom perfume And the sailboat’s... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 38
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 38
  3. Negative: 0 out of 38
  1. The Telegraph (UK)
    Oct 17, 2011
    100
    Underneath the almost soporifically smooth old-soul and country polish, Adams's ear for a delicate melody and feel for the shadowy nuances of emotion give this latest chapter beautiful depth.
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    Oct 5, 2011
    83
    It's all so gentle that it's nearly sleepy, but in a nice way.
  3. The Quietus
    Oct 21, 2011
    80
    A softer collection of songs, harnessing more sincerity than his last two general-release LPs (as opposed to Orion, which was online-only), Easy Tiger and Cardinology.
  4. The A.V. Club
    Oct 17, 2011
    75
    Ashes is everything Ryan Adams records usually aren't: uniform in sound and mood, emotionally centered, and straight-arrow consistent, sometimes to its detriment.
  5. The Independent on Sunday (UK)
    Oct 10, 2011
    70
    While it may, at times, sound a little too familiar--A&F is almost good enough to banish the memory of the dozen or so albums--influenced by grams not Parsons--since.
  6. Mojo
    Dec 22, 2011
    60
    Despite its lulls, Ashes & Fire sounds like a new beginning. [Nov 2011, p.101]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. The Independent (UK)
    Oct 6, 2011
    40
    There's barely a shred of truly memorable content here.

See all 38 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. Bax52uk
    Oct 12, 2011
    9
    A tremendous album - Absolutely back to his best after some dodgy releases. Lucky Now and I Love you but I don't know what to Say among theA tremendous album - Absolutely back to his best after some dodgy releases. Lucky Now and I Love you but I don't know what to Say among the best things he has ever done and thats saying something. Fantastic… Expand
  2. gypsytea
    Jan 22, 2012
    9
    This is Ryan Adams at the height of his songwriting abilities. After a brief hiatus, he has returned with an album of finely crafted, strippedThis is Ryan Adams at the height of his songwriting abilities. After a brief hiatus, he has returned with an album of finely crafted, stripped down songs that showcase Adams' vocal prowess. Accompanied by only an acoustic guitar on most songs, this album is the perfect companion for relaxing afternoons and introspective evenings. Favourites include "Invisible Riverside", "Ashes & Fire", and "Dirty Rain".… Expand
  4. buzzlight
    Nov 18, 2011
    9
    I have proceeded with caution with Ryan Adams in the past as he seems to have accumulated a large catalogue music in a short time span - muchI have proceeded with caution with Ryan Adams in the past as he seems to have accumulated a large catalogue music in a short time span - much I have found inconsistent, great, not-so-great and forced, at times. Ashes & Fire is THE BEST Ryan Adams album to date. Soothing melodies in the mold of say, Ray Lamontagne...sums this one up best. I really liked sings Ashes & Fire, Invisible Riverside...not forced this time at all...he really allows the music and lyrics to develop at their own pace. One of the very few albums I really liked this year.… Expand
  5. Billy_Bell
    Jan 4, 2012
    9
    Fundamentally, this album is a grower. Definitely not one for newcomers as it really shines in the light of Ryan's other work. However, thisFundamentally, this album is a grower. Definitely not one for newcomers as it really shines in the light of Ryan's other work. However, this is his strongest work since Cold Roses. Heartfelt, masterful and beautiful, this collection takes on all Ryan's styles and strips away any heavy instrumentation, allowing the gorgeous songs to shine through.… Expand
  6. A7sus4
    Nov 4, 2011
    8
    This is a fantastic, beautiful album. The kind of album that satisfies on the first superficial listen, continues to improve and developThis is a fantastic, beautiful album. The kind of album that satisfies on the first superficial listen, continues to improve and develop deeper meaning with repeated listens, and holds up to a ton of them. Every song is a winner, with personal highlights including: Come Home, Do I Wait, Save Me, Kindness, Lucky Now, and I Love You But... Norah Jones's piano on some tracks is a wonderful touch.… Expand
  7. zimmertosser69
    Oct 12, 2011
    7
    I have always been a huge fan of Ryan Adams since his Whiskeytown days. He put out an amazing and prolific amount of quality music betweenI have always been a huge fan of Ryan Adams since his Whiskeytown days. He put out an amazing and prolific amount of quality music between 2000 and 2009 and did it with a wide variety of musicians and styles.

    This album is primarily a solo effort and most songs are one man ballads which is not a bad thing if you can write,play and sing like Ryan Adams.    … Expand

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