Cold Roses
by Ryan Adams
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

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  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 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 "MellonHaving 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.… Expand
  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 defining album that is an absolute catharsis.
  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. 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.
  4. Will
    Mar 7, 2007
    10
    It is long, yes, but the more you listen the more you enjoy. Nearly two years after its release and I am listening to it more than ever!!
  5. KamrenJ
    Sep 16, 2006
    10
    What a masterpiece. By the time the first track 'Magnolia Mountain' ends you will be transported to another world where everything appears to be out of focus yet entrancingly beautiful. The album's length does appear tedious at times, but such as life. By the time the bridge of 'Life is Beautiful' explodes all over your body you will know that you've What a masterpiece. By the time the first track 'Magnolia Mountain' ends you will be transported to another world where everything appears to be out of focus yet entrancingly beautiful. The album's length does appear tedious at times, but such as life. By the time the bridge of 'Life is Beautiful' explodes all over your body you will know that you've witnessed something absolutely remarkable just as the final track-'Friends'-of the album cradles you in it's arms and slowly rocks you into a hypnotic peace of mind as though to help you recover from the most intense sexual experience of your life. I believe that "Cold Roses" will pass the test of time to sit upon the shelf next to Neil Young's "Tonight's the Night" and "On the Beach", The Grateful Dead's "American Beauty" and "Workingman's Dead", and (most importantly) Gram Parsons' "Grievous Angel." This album is untouchable. What a masterpiece.… Expand
  6. bilyc
    Sep 15, 2006
    10
    really good
  7. PopMattersSucks
    Dec 15, 2005
    9
    The guy that wrote the Pop Matters review is an idiot. This cd renewed my interest in Adams after I lost interest. His best since Heartbreaker.
  8. RichardW
    Nov 12, 2005
    10
    I must say that I cannot get enough of Ryan Adams. I'm sick of reviewers saying that he should self edit and not put out his vision in whole. I'd rather hear another song from Ryan than an over produced pop album; therefore, I have to say that Cold Roses is a welcome addition to my playlist.
  9. PeterM
    Oct 5, 2005
    9
    I love this album... there is only about one weak song on each disk. Its beautifully performed and producedand they're really strong songs
  10. SeamusS
    Oct 3, 2005
    9
    The Only Thing Keeping It From A 10, is the fact that instead of being an imediate masterpeice, it takes time to grow on you. Some songs will Jump out at you at first, where as others take longer to grow on you. Regardless, its hard not to love this ambitious and great album.
  11. Beaubeck
    Aug 16, 2005
    5
    I listened to all 18 tracks and jotted down track titles I wanted to hear again. Hey, wait a second, this here piece of paper is BLANK! After Gold, I was expecting a masterpiece. Still waiting, and losing patience.
  12. DannyC
    Jul 26, 2005
    7
    It is very hard for me to not be biased when talking about Ryan Adams because I really enjoy his music. After the first few spins of Cold Roses, I was pleasantly surprised that Ryan has gone back to making the kind of music he feels most comfortable making. I was also glad to see that he has decided to be part of a band, instead of running solo. What it comes down to with this double It is very hard for me to not be biased when talking about Ryan Adams because I really enjoy his music. After the first few spins of Cold Roses, I was pleasantly surprised that Ryan has gone back to making the kind of music he feels most comfortable making. I was also glad to see that he has decided to be part of a band, instead of running solo. What it comes down to with this double album is what it usually comes down to with Ryan records and that is that he has given us some of his best work and then just some work. Ever since Heartbreaker, it seems that every album he puts out has some truly brilliant songs but then it has some others that are just ok. With Cold Roses I have to agree with alot of journalists, which I hate to do, in that it wouldn't hurt to cut out 5 or 6 of the songs to make it a very strong album. Songs like "Easy Plateau", "Sweet Illusions", the title track, and especially "Let it ride" are great, but when I hear songs like "Beautiful Sorta" I wonder what he was thinking. It might be one the worst things he has put out. So I will sum up in saying that I have high hopes for the next two albums slated for release this year, still half expecting something that will live up to Heartbreaker. I heard Ethan Johns is producing atleast one of the next records so there is a good start.… Expand
  13. ToddR
    Jul 21, 2005
    9
    A smooth stew of psychadelic country music.
  14. JakeS
    Jul 21, 2005
    9
    Top Quality
  15. TK
    Jul 6, 2005
    7
    Pretty good, but too much filler. If Adams had dropped several of the crappier songs and made this a 10 track album it would have been much better and much more cohesive as an album.
  16. JasonR
    Jul 5, 2005
    10
    The best album of the year so far. It's great to hear him doing the country stuff again. I can't wait to hear his other 2 albums due out later this year.
  17. GretschGuy
    Jun 30, 2005
    8
    The two CD's may be alittle over zealous, but the songs are stronger than low marking critics are indicating. This moody country rock pleases me each time I listen to it. The production is often very live sounding which is a bonus in this age of "produce the sh*t out of it". The guitars sing and cry on this album more so than almost any other RA work. Great for driving home with the The two CD's may be alittle over zealous, but the songs are stronger than low marking critics are indicating. This moody country rock pleases me each time I listen to it. The production is often very live sounding which is a bonus in this age of "produce the sh*t out of it". The guitars sing and cry on this album more so than almost any other RA work. Great for driving home with the sun setting behind you and the window down just a little...escapism at its best.… Expand
  18. martybee
    Jun 20, 2005
    10
    LOVE it
  19. serM
    Jun 14, 2005
    10
    Una maravilla de disco. Lo mejor de 2005.
  20. Kane
    Jun 6, 2005
    10
    Never liked Adams either, but this album is up there with American Beauty for me. The album tracks even look like dead songs: Magnolia Mountain, Cherry Lane, Meadowlake Street, Easy Plateua, Cold Roses, If I Am A Stranger. Maybe I'm imagining it but these all sound like Dead titles to me.
  21. SeaChangeMilo
    Jun 4, 2005
    10
    Awesome!
  22. ChrisP
    Jun 3, 2005
    9
    I think this is a very good, if not great, album. It definitely harkens back to early Neil Young and Greatful Dead, but it has an authentic feel. I love it.
  23. Cosmo
    Jun 1, 2005
    8
    Weak points, strong points? Bollocks! You are all Morons! There is nobody making music today like this guy. He puts out album after album without care. He takes risks! Give the dog a bone. Bravo Mr. Adams - Keep on trucking brother - I feel your struggle.
  24. CurtisN
    May 27, 2005
    9
    I liked it right away. Sweet Illusions' has it all. I can tell I will like this album more and more. It doesn't have the bullshit homage to the shittly Rolling Stones (Gold)
  25. willl
    May 24, 2005
    9
    Freeking awsome album.....though it coulda been trimmed down, i hate 2-discers, but still amazing album
  26. ZachL
    May 23, 2005
    8
    While this album does have a few misses (What do you expect? It is a double disk after all.), the strong points are so strong they just make you forget about the weak points. Hopefully he can keep this up on his other two albums that are supposed to be out this year.
  27. slateh
    May 23, 2005
    10
    simply amazing
  28. KenH
    May 22, 2005
    9
    I was never much of an R.A. fan but one listen to "Easy Plateau" led to the purchase of what will inevitably be One of the Top Discs of 05!
  29. SimonP
    May 18, 2005
    8
    Being a double album, with so many songs, it really takes time to get familiar with the whole thing - there's so much stuff going on! After a couple of weeks I'm really loving it.
  30. MikeB
    May 17, 2005
    9
    Simply impressive and continues to draw you in.
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Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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. Pitchfork
    72
    Overstuffed and vaguely monotonous, the album could be easily whittled down to a single sequence of impressive songs; Instead, it's a meandering, occasionally moving series of mid-tempo laments, some more memorable than others.
    Read full review
  2. AllMusic
    80
    It's safe to say that Cold Roses is the record many fans have been waiting to hear -- a full-fledged, unapologetic return to the country-rock that made his reputation when he led Whiskeytown.
    Read full review
  3. 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.
    Read full review
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