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III/IV
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III/IV Image
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71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 19 Ratings

  • Summary: Adams' fifth album with The Cardinals was recorded during the 2007 Easy Tiger sessions and is now being released as this double album. The two-disc effort is full of guitar-driven hard rock, as well as more downbeat, melodious tracks.
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Stop Playing with My Heart
Stop dragging my heart around Stop acting, stop fucking around Stop playing, stop playing with my head Alright, already you win... Stop asking if... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    Jan 3, 2011
    83
    This two-CD set consists of 21 others from those sessions--lovably motley, classic-rock-riffing tunes about Star Wars, rats, crystals, and ninjas. Yes, it's kinda random, but whose random thoughts are more fun?
  2. AllMusic
    Dec 14, 2010
    80
    Adams touches upon rainy-day English rock and atmospheric anthems custom-made for arenas, but his touchstone remains American rock, specifically the Replacements.
  3. Beats Per Minute
    Jan 31, 2011
    71
    There is still plenty to cherish here, and no Ryan Adams devotee is going to feel disappointed. In reality, this is likely just another detour in the ever evolving and confusing career of Ryan Adams.
  4. Rolling Stone
    Dec 14, 2010
    70
    III/IV is 21 songs from 2007's Easy Tiger sessions, supplanting that album's wired folk rock with a blend of punk head rush, New Wave twitch, metal crunch and hippie noodling.
  5. Pitchfork
    Jan 4, 2011
    69
    III/IV is a fine collection of outtakes, but chances are Adams' magnum opus is still forthcoming.
  6. Uncut
    Apr 13, 2011
    60
    Alas, it often sounds like hollow noise--but improves when he warms down. [May 2011, p.92]
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  7. Under The Radar
    Jan 28, 2011
    40
    While it's fun to hear some new (old) material from Ryan Adams and his fantastic band, The Cardinals, it's pretty easy to see why this stuff wasn't released and while the jury is still out on whether or not retirement was a good idea for Adams, III/IV does indicate that it was time for an extended vacation.

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. themostbrian
    Dec 17, 2010
    8
    This has been criticized as an album of throwaways and B-sides left over from the 'Easy Tiger' sessions. However, with the way Ryan AdamsThis has been criticized as an album of throwaways and B-sides left over from the 'Easy Tiger' sessions. However, with the way Ryan Adams writes and records songs, his so-called 'throwaways and B-sides' are nearly as good as his regular albums.

    The first thing to note about this album is that it is very different from Easy Tiger in tone, pace and mood. It's almost as if Adams recorded two entirely distinct albums during the same session and then decided to release only one of them at that time as a proper album. This album is highly catchy, riff driven and rock influenced - far closer to Rock N Roll than Cold Roses.

    At the end of the day, there are a bunch of good-to-great songs on here that combine the catchiness of 'Gold' with the energy and passion of 'Rock N Roll'. Any long-time Ryan Adams fan will LOVE this music and those fans of Ryan Adams who weren't as much into his foray into more country-ish music will see this as a triumphant return to pre-Cardinals form.. yes, even though it is with the Cardinals.

    No music fan will mistake this for a country record. It's a rock record with a bunch of catchy hooks and addictive riffs.    … Expand
  2. Macface
    Feb 21, 2011
    8
    Like Elvis Costello's "Get Happy" album, Ryan Adams has released a great pop-rock cd with majority of the songs coming in under 3 minutes. ILike Elvis Costello's "Get Happy" album, Ryan Adams has released a great pop-rock cd with majority of the songs coming in under 3 minutes. I love a good guitar solo, but happy that Ryan has left a lot of noodling out of these songs, except for the one track "Kill the lights" which if you have heard the live version of Easy Plateau will hear the similarities. You can hear why these songs were left of Easy Tiger, where Easy Tiger at times almost had that easy listening feel, this album rocks out and gets to the chorus fast and easy. I went with my gut on this purchase and it's paid off.… Expand
  4. TheDaveHimself
    Jul 16, 2011
    4
    After Easy Tiger, I was worried what he was going to pop out next. I never got into Cardinology and after that, I knew it wouldn't be good. IAfter Easy Tiger, I was worried what he was going to pop out next. I never got into Cardinology and after that, I knew it wouldn't be good. I wonder if this release was out of laziness. Only a couple songs on here worth listening to.… Expand

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