User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 21 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 21
  2. Negative: 0 out of 21

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  1. BenJ
    Dec 17, 2003
    7
    A considerable improvement on the uneven "Rock and Roll", this record offers the nearest Adams' has come to matching "Heartbreaker". Love Is Hell Part 2 is equally enjoyable, and gives a glimpse as to what might have happened if Adams had been able to release this as a single album...the question is though, which songs would he had left off?!
  2. MaikenS
    Nov 7, 2005
    9
    Simply love it.
  3. LeoY
    Jan 5, 2006
    9
    Fantastic album with brilliant 3 song sequence starting from Shadowlands to Avalanche
  4. NastyR
    Feb 3, 2006
    9
    Heartland rock, so charming and impassioned that i always shake like a milk. His best album (with second part together) and one of the best of new century
  5. J
    Dec 24, 2004
    10
    Best cd of the year, best Ryan Adam's cd and best of the 2 parts of Love is hell! Astonidhing Can't believe that this cd only has an overall of 71, it's even better than Elliott Smith postume album
  6. JoeyP
    Feb 1, 2004
    9
    I can understand why his company didn't want to release it, it does not contain a song which would be a hit. But Adams is right: this is a masterpiece - beautifully crafted and emotionally played. Vunerable and tender. Brilliant!
  7. DanielG
    Dec 16, 2003
    9
    Some of his finest songs...
  8. BrianM
    Dec 16, 2003
    8
    This one takes a few listens before the good songs shine through. The album is more personal than Rock N Roll and has a lot more depth. It's more enjoyable and fulfilling than Rock N' Roll.
  9. ZachJ
    May 16, 2006
    10
    Wow, the Pitchfork review Of Love is Hell (parts I&2) is by far, their most misguided effort yet. This is not only Adams' best album, as a whole, but is also one of the few albums in general that I consider "perfect... Not "perfect" as in flawless, but perfect in its current state where I wouldn't change the perceived flaws. Adams eschews the alt-country and rock labels on his Wow, the Pitchfork review Of Love is Hell (parts I&2) is by far, their most misguided effort yet. This is not only Adams' best album, as a whole, but is also one of the few albums in general that I consider "perfect... Not "perfect" as in flawless, but perfect in its current state where I wouldn't change the perceived flaws. Adams eschews the alt-country and rock labels on his previous albums and conquers the 80's brit-popish, delightfully depressing vibe. Yes, it does take a few spins to fully appreciate, but man oh man, is the payoff great... Tough to even list favorite songs as the album plays best from start to finish. Expand
  10. Sep 5, 2011
    9
    A spectacular display of raw emotion, particularly in the album's creme de la creme, 'Avlanche' and 'The Shadowlands'. Adams covers 'Wonderwall' beautifully, to an extent that I can bear to listen to the meaning behind it as he gives it a meaning. So mellow, yet so powerful in what it delivers on quality of sound and the enigmatic yet decipherable messages of passion, beauty in nature,A spectacular display of raw emotion, particularly in the album's creme de la creme, 'Avlanche' and 'The Shadowlands'. Adams covers 'Wonderwall' beautifully, to an extent that I can bear to listen to the meaning behind it as he gives it a meaning. So mellow, yet so powerful in what it delivers on quality of sound and the enigmatic yet decipherable messages of passion, beauty in nature, and, perhaps the most significant, the hope of a bright future - this truly is his crowning glory. Expand
Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 16
  2. Negative: 1 out of 16
  1. Q Magazine
    80
    Part 1's eight deluxe country rock essays all impress. [Feb 2004, p.98]
  2. A collection of preposterously cheerless (and charmless) songs that try much too hard to achieve a poignancy-- or anything, really-- that might hide their complete insignificance.
  3. Some of the most focused, artful, and affecting work of his career. [Review applicable to both Part 1 and Part 2]