This record seems contrived and forced.

my favorite ryan adams CD to date. Beautiful song after beautiful song.... but it does take time for it to mature in your head. Just apply a little patience.

The best thing i can say about this release is that he's managed to convince the critics that he's made a legitimate, stripped down alt/country record again. This disc has about as much soul as a Toby Keith record, sans the Monday Night Football ethic. Skip this drivel and take a listen to the Tarbox Ramblers or Freakwater.

I was tempted just to give it a 10 to balance out the other reviews... I can't help but shake my head at Mojo mag -- I think they're critical of anything that doesn't sound like the last Manic Street Preachers last record. Dear John is a great recording, as there are many on this little LP. Unlike Cold Roses, there's really little to fill, unless you consider the track "Pa" (sorry Mojo) something worthy of an Adams record. Ryan has always had a bit of the melodramatic gene, but it's hard to knock a man and his craft. This is Adams' best record yet -- they get better with age, ya know.… Expand

His best work since Heartbreaker, hands down.

Solid RA - he is OLD SCHOOL

This is a very good, almost great album. Ive listened to it several times now and after every listen I find another song to love and that I just cant get out of my head. I think its interesting that many critics proclaimed Adams was a young genius when he first emerged on the alt-country scene with Whiskeytown. They lauded him as the next Bob Dylan, Neil Young, the saviour of American music. Soon after Gold hit the scene many critics began criticizing him ror to closely resembling Bob Dylan, Neil Young, the savior of American music. Sure Adams may have acted like an overblown child at times and perhaps some of his albums are a little long, but you cant deny the fact that Adams has written some great songs throughout his young career and you can find several great songs on Jacksonville City Nights and other songs that are quite good. Its also interesting that so many critics cant review this man's records without taking a personal jab at him. One of the reasons why so many critics are always comparing each and every song Adams sings to (Morrison, Young, Dylan, Orbinson, on and on) is because they dont get it and the only way they can register what he is doing is by comparing him to the past. If you like great tunes with great lyrics done in a country/honky tonk/ punk/ good friggin music style pick this record up and tell the critics to hop back on the runaway train they helped to create. All while Adams was just tryig to write a good tune and live a dream.… Expand

Toby Keith blows.

Perfect example of mult-genre talent. Perfect voice that puts the album over the top. It does what all good art should do, makes your self reflect. Through the good and the bad. The perfect stepping stone after cold roses. It makes sense.

Ryan Adams really returns to his roots with this album, producing quality country rock tracks. The biggest downfal is on the ballad "Dear John" with Nora Jones where their voices never quite mesh, but somehow it works.

how does he do it? one more to go...

I really liked Cold Roses. The band collaboration, the songs, a solid, really good album all the way. But this one is just plain bad. A previous reviewer said it best as it really does sound forced and contrived. When one considers some of the great albums he hasn't officially released such as 48 hrs or the Suicide Handbook, this one takes the heap and should have been kept buried.

After a few weeks of listening I have really come to love this record. It has a great blend of up- tempo numbers and country balads. I don't really understand how people can still think that Ryan Adams is trying to "convince" anyone. He has changed styles for every record he puts out. Some better than others, but he has proven to me that he doesn't care what critics think anymore. If the music is good then the music is good. There are some truly beautiful songs here, and it is some of his best work. I couldn't believe that moron down below could ever compare Ryan Adams to Toby Keith. To me that is music ignorance. Good point though telling everyone to listen to bands that nobody has heard of, that makes you look like a real hipster. Anyway, this record is fantastic, his best work since Heartbreaker, and I can't wait to hear the next one.… Expand

Another stellar release from the prolific and gifted Adams. People keep complaining about his quantity but like Dylan in the 60s this is unhampered by studio gimmickery - just unadulterated, pure, good gawd honky skronk. Many will never get past Ryan the image, but hey! That's there problem. For me, this is another essential release.

Why do the critics seem to hate anything this guy does? It's another great record, with maybe one or two misses. I guess some of them just have their heads in their asses. (I'm looking at you, Mojo)

First country album since Whiskeytown's "Faithless Street." The Cardinals have made Adam's a more consistent artist over the last two albums. Can't wait for the third release of the year!

This album will kick your ass straight into the cold cold ground!

I agree with the Toby Keith without any (ANY) talent. This record is a real stinker. P-U!!!!

Really disappointing record. After hearing "A Kiss Before I Go" live, I was excited for this record. Turns out the studio version of this track is frustratingly tame and the rest of the tracks lack creativity and heart. Cold Roses blows this album away, and this was after hearing Nights first.

With time people will realize this is a masterpiece. There may be a few misses ( I agree with Zach L) but on the whole a great seasonal record. Initially I didn't think I liked the record very much but after multiple listens it continues to grow on me with every listen. I love the critics who listen to an album once and think they have a handle on it. The best records are the ones that get better with each addtional listen. The Dear John track with Norah Jones is haunting!… Expand

Toby Keith is awful. He sucks!

This is a true masterpiece. It is what music is about - the mixing of sounds, influences, and talent to create something that speaks to a particular element of the creative senses. Like his previous work, the whole is, at times, held together by the most tenuous of threads, but that is the brilliance - it takes a feel for the spirit to truly appreciate what is going on here.

Toby Keith, huh ?!? Hardest Part "ordinary", do what ?!

"The End" is pure genious, and probably Adam's strongest tune to date. I would strongly encourage listening to a live performance of this song as well. Also, when you mix this album with its Bonus Tracks (Always On My Mind, Jeane, I Still Miss Someone, September/Alternate, What Sin) it really does rank as his best accomplishment yet.

The sound and musicianship on this album is great but Adams' songwriting lacks that last spark which could have made this more than just average. Quality control is his weak spot - but I still believe he has at least one great album in him yet...maybe next year!?

To compare this record to a Toby Keith record is crazy. Toby has more talent in his little finger than Ryan has in his whole sickly body!

Ironically, the same reviewers that harp on him for performing unoriginal material all sound alike themselves. Do yourself a favor, and listen to this disc (or any, for that matter) without trying to play "name the influence" and prove how smart you are. When you do that with this disc, do you like what you hear? I do, and if you do too, good for you. If you don't, just go listen to something else.… Expand

A fine country album that'll rattle your nerves.....obviously.

There are many beautiful tracks on this record. I don't understand why so many people are hung up on the fact that not all the songs are brilliant. I'll take all the Ryan Adams tracks I can get my hands on. Even his weakest stuff is far and above a lot of the garbage out there today. Mainstream musicians have become spoiled with their one album every couple of years. Back in the 50' s and 60's it was standard to put out a couple albums a year. It's good to see a musician with Adams work ethic for a change.… Expand

I've always said that ryan adams should release shorter albums, so they would be more consistent and less filler. However, i've realised why he releases so much stuff, its cos its all good stuff, but unfortunately all his albums except maybe heartbreaker only have about 2 or 3 bonafide tunes on, and on this album they're "the hardest part", "kiss before i go" and "hard way to fall". I think i prefered "rock n roll" to this though, overall the country tunes are a bit lame and have no bite like someone like bright eyes. Still love ya ryan!!!!… Expand

A difficult album to listen to without lyrics before you, but after the first shaky performance, one comes to appreciate just how beautiful songs like "September" and "Dear John" can be. The upbeat songs, like "The Hardest Part", to my mind, only keep you listening through the difficult moments of this record. All in all, this record's form, style and cohesion are better than anything since Heartbreaker- although I happened to love Cold Roses.… Expand