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Love Is Hell, Part 1 [EP] - Ryan Adams
User Score
8.6 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 17 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17

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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?!
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. MaikenS
    Nov 7, 2005
    9
    Simply love it.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. LeoY
    Jan 5, 2006
    9
    Fantastic album with brilliant 3 song sequence starting from Shadowlands to Avalanche
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  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
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  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
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  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!
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  7. DanielG
    Dec 16, 2003
    9
    Some of his finest songs...
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  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.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  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 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
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  10. Eiffel
    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, and, perhaps the most significant, the hope of a bright future - this truly is his crowning glory.… Expand
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Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
74 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 16
  3. Negative: 1 out of 16
  1. Q Magazine
    80
    Part 1's eight deluxe country rock essays all impress. [Feb 2004, p.98]
  2. Pitchfork
    31
    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.
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  3. The A.V. Club
    90
    Some of the most focused, artful, and affecting work of his career. [Review applicable to both Part 1 and Part 2]
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