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. TheBoobieSongGuy
    May 8, 2005
    10
    Fantastic. Very warm, yet upbeat.
  2. DaveB
    May 12, 2005
    8
    The best thing you can do with this CD is not try to compare it to Adams last few releases -- he still writes great songs, whether you call it country, rock, or whatever else. Though it lacks some of modern rock influences that we heard in tracks like "Afraid Not Scared" and "Political Scientist," maybe this CD is a wise progression in his still young career. The best part about releasing The best thing you can do with this CD is not try to compare it to Adams last few releases -- he still writes great songs, whether you call it country, rock, or whatever else. Though it lacks some of modern rock influences that we heard in tracks like "Afraid Not Scared" and "Political Scientist," maybe this CD is a wise progression in his still young career. The best part about releasing a double album is that the best songs seem to stand out just a little more...for better or for worse. His voice still sounds just as great after years of drinking and smoking, too, which gives him a definite advantage. Maybe he's secretly a closet yuppie bastard, try to catch him in a Volvo sometime --… Expand
  3. StephenP
    May 5, 2005
    9
    Another well crafted, well written album from the best true singer songwriter recording music today.
  4. martybee
    Jun 20, 2005
    10
    LOVE it
  5. JakeS
    Jul 21, 2005
    9
    Top Quality
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. marks
    May 10, 2005
    10
    this isn't really fair for me to judge, since i love every ryan adams song ever written
  9. LucaB
    May 12, 2005
    10
    Excellent album. Probably better than Gold.
  10. MikeE
    May 12, 2005
    9
    Ryan Adams best attribute is his diversity among his albums. Cold Roses has convinced me that no matter what his album may be classified as, it will not be a disappointment. 3 albums in one year? This fan is spoiled!
  11. MikeB
    May 17, 2005
    9
    Simply impressive and continues to draw you in.
  12. IanO
    May 4, 2005
    9
    Fine return to form if some way melancholic. Best enjoyed with a late evening drink following into an early morning companion. A Magpie of American Music wooing us like a Mockingbird. Well Done Ryan. Let it ride...
  13. BenJ
    May 5, 2005
    8
    Hurrah! Another Ryan Adams album for critics to grumble about...and this time it's a double, so they can really give him a kicking now. Well, I love this - played it continually already and it's really impressed me. Beautiful stuff.
  14. JasonA
    May 5, 2005
    8
    I'm not going to say that this album is a return to form as I never thought that Ryan lost his form. Rock n Roll and Love is Hell were both really good solid albums or so I thought. They were a departure but I can appreciate the fact that Ryan has alot of diffrent influences to draw from. Alot of artists don't have the courage to do what they want artistically. Ryan Adams does I'm not going to say that this album is a return to form as I never thought that Ryan lost his form. Rock n Roll and Love is Hell were both really good solid albums or so I thought. They were a departure but I can appreciate the fact that Ryan has alot of diffrent influences to draw from. Alot of artists don't have the courage to do what they want artistically. Ryan Adams does and I for one appreciate that. All of that said and I guess some may say that "Cold Roses" is a return to Ryan's "Heartbreaker" days. I hate to put this album in a genre but it would, to me, fall into the alt-country vein. It's produced really well but not over produced which I think "Gold" was. I just bought the cd two days ago and I don't think that there is a bad track on the album. Some tracks are better than others of course and I think had this album been cut down to one disc, 12 tracks it would have been much more coherant and cohesive. There are 5 songs here that I think rate among his best; Sweet Illusions, Magnolia Mountain, Let It Ride, Meadowlake Street, and Easy Plateau. If you're a fan of Ryan or alt-country then this album is a must. One of my top 5 records of the year so far!… Expand
  15. KatieH
    May 5, 2005
    8
    a really nice return to what he does best, but the addition of, i dunno, middle-age? whil he's not as spontaneous or heart-on-sleeve as heartbreaker or demolition, it's still a delicious collection that, in its length, isn't all that unhandleable. memorable melodies, challenging new ryan.
  16. PattonF
    May 5, 2005
    10
    Fantastic effort by Ryan Adams creates a very listenable and innovative record. His best since 2000's heartbreaker.
  17. DanN
    May 6, 2005
    9
    I totally agree with Jason A. I dont think this is a return to form as I dont feel RA ever left it. Sure he's had a hit and miss here and there, but all of his albums have stand out tracks that a lot of artist wish they could even come close to creating. Cold Roses does have a few songs that probably aren't his best work, but by no means are they poor. What does make this album I totally agree with Jason A. I dont think this is a return to form as I dont feel RA ever left it. Sure he's had a hit and miss here and there, but all of his albums have stand out tracks that a lot of artist wish they could even come close to creating. Cold Roses does have a few songs that probably aren't his best work, but by no means are they poor. What does make this album fantastic though are the stand out tracks, of which there are too many to mention. If you have any love for alt. country or great music in general, this album is highly recommended.… Expand
  18. uriahh
    May 6, 2005
    10
    The album is beautiful and amazing!! the best album of the year so far and the guy who gave it a one is incredibly narrow-minded!
  19. MarkB
    May 8, 2005
    9
    For me, his best since Gold.Probably could have been cut down to 1 CD,but the majority of songs are vintage Adams. Hope this is a sign of things to come.
  20. serM
    Jun 14, 2005
    10
    Una maravilla de disco. Lo mejor de 2005.
  21. 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.
  22. 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
  23. SeaChangeMilo
    Jun 4, 2005
    10
    Awesome!
  24. 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.
  25. 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.
  26. 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
  27. PeeKay
    May 10, 2005
    9
    The joy of his pain is everywhere. Definitely one of his best and, despite his inability to perform live to any consistent degree, he remains one of the best songwriters of our day.
  28. 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.
  29. 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!
  30. 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.
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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.
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  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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