Cold Roses
by Ryan Adams
Metascore
69

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
  1. Flak Magazine
    50
    Without the first disc, the double disc Cold Roses wouldn't be half bad.
  2. Mojo
    60
    An enjoyable, if surprisingly safe, collection of roots rock. [Jul 2005, p.102]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Paste Magazine
    60
    Cold Roses comes as a bit of relief, bereft of the posturing that so often attends Adams’ work.... That said, there’s also a sense of retreat that permeates the record, a willingness to offer the comforts of familiar tones instead of ambitiously taking chances.
  5. Playlouder
    50
    A frustratingly self indulgent and inconsistent double album that pitches itself somewhere between the classic country rock of 2001's 'Gold' and the lovelorn despair of 2004's 'Love Is Hell'.
  6. PopMatters
    40
    It's as if Adams is doing an imitation himself, of what he thinks "Ryan Adams" should be, or what fans at large expect: the roots rocker, the alt-country troubadour, all that clichéd Gram Parsons successor rubbish.
  7. Q Magazine
    40
    Another marathon slog through the alt-country undergrowth. [Jun 2005, p.118]
    All this publication's reviews
  8. ShakingThrough.net
    58
    Cold Roses’ first set is by-the-numbers, brokenhearted MOR fare, sometimes maudlin (“When Will You Come Back Home?”), infrequently dramatic (the piano-driven “How Do You Keep Love Alive”) and mostly forgettable. The second disc redeems Cold Roses from an even-less-enthusiastic recommendation.
  9. Tiny Mix Tapes
    60
    This 18-track monster drives home one point more than any other: Ryan Adams needs a fucking editor.

Awards & Rankings

68
#68 Most Discussed Album of 2005
55
#55 Most Shared Album of 2005

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 104 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 96 out of 104
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 104
  3. Negative: 5 out of 104
  1. Ricko
    Oct 14, 2017
    9
    Having the balls to record and release a double album is one thing. Being able to pull it off and deliver a great double album is anotherHaving the balls to record and release a double album is one thing. Being able to pull it off and deliver a great double album is another thing entirely. By their nature, the double album is a self indulgence. They could always be shortened, always a couple of tracks that could arguably be trimmed. Even the very best double albums (which for me would include "The Beatles" and "Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness") have more than one track we could have lived without. Modern attempts such as Arcade Fire's "Reflektor", while decent could have been trimmed by a third or more. "Cold Roses" is one of the great double album efforts. At 18 tracks, it never outstays its welcome. It never gets weird or indulgent it simply keeps delivering great Americana style country rock. Ryan Adam's has produced more album's than most and has more often than not been guilty of self indulgence and an inability to cut material . Ironically, it's when he attempts a double album that he's at his most ruthless in terms of quality of content. This is a fabulous record, possibly the best of his career.… Full Review »
  2. AuspiciousAnn
    Jun 18, 2012
    10
    Brilliant work by Mr. Adams. Regardless of whether he is vain or not, his restless soul shows throughout this record. A genre/career definingBrilliant work by Mr. Adams. Regardless of whether he is vain or not, his restless soul shows throughout this record. A genre/career defining album that is an absolute catharsis.… Full Review »
  3. TheDaveHimself
    Aug 6, 2011
    8
    I think Ryan Adams has a problem with putting out a solid album. Heartbreaker was pretty damn close, but as a whole, they seem to suffer some.I think Ryan Adams has a problem with putting out a solid album. Heartbreaker was pretty damn close, but as a whole, they seem to suffer some. There are some great songs on here, but it still doesn't feel 100%. That doesn't mean it's bad, just "off". Hell, I'll give it an 8 because of "Let It Ride" alone.… Full Review »
See all user reviews »