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. martybee
    Jun 20, 2005
    10
    LOVE it
  3. marks
    May 10, 2005
    10
    this isn't really fair for me to judge, since i love every ryan adams song ever written
  4. LucaB
    May 12, 2005
    10
    Excellent album. Probably better than Gold.
  5. PattonF
    May 5, 2005
    10
    Fantastic effort by Ryan Adams creates a very listenable and innovative record. His best since 2000's heartbreaker.
  6. 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!
  7. serM
    Jun 14, 2005
    10
    Una maravilla de disco. Lo mejor de 2005.
  8. SeaChangeMilo
    Jun 4, 2005
    10
    Awesome!
  9. 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.
  10. 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.
  11. BradR
    May 4, 2005
    10
    Ryan Adams returns to the brilliant form of his breakthough, "Hearbreaker". Although his songwriting has always been tops, "Cold Roses" has a cohesion and flow that previous albums had been missing. (Although that is as much, perhaps more, Lost Highways fault as Adams'). This is an album to be listened to obsessively, as it trades immediately noticeable hooks and phrases for a Ryan Adams returns to the brilliant form of his breakthough, "Hearbreaker". Although his songwriting has always been tops, "Cold Roses" has a cohesion and flow that previous albums had been missing. (Although that is as much, perhaps more, Lost Highways fault as Adams'). This is an album to be listened to obsessively, as it trades immediately noticeable hooks and phrases for a lasting emotional allure.… Expand
  12. CeesJanB
    May 9, 2005
    10
    Return to form? Love is hell was briliant! And this is too!
  13. 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.
  14. 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!!
  15. Greer
    May 14, 2005
    10
    Raw, emotional and real--this is a flawless album by Adams. I would recommend this to anyone.
  16. slateh
    May 23, 2005
    10
    simply amazing
  17. bilyc
    Sep 15, 2006
    10
    really good
  18. 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
  19. 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.
  20. StephenP
    May 5, 2005
    9
    Another well crafted, well written album from the best true singer songwriter recording music today.
  21. JakeS
    Jul 21, 2005
    9
    Top Quality
  22. 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.
  23. 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!
  24. MikeB
    May 17, 2005
    9
    Simply impressive and continues to draw you in.
  25. 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...
  26. 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
  27. 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.
  28. 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.
  29. 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
  30. 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.
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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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