For those who don't spend their lives immersed in all things Ryan, here's the deal on Love is Hell: Originally, it was supposed to be Adams' official followup to his 2001 CD Gold.

Too bad his record company balked at the disc, which finds the former alt-country troubadour getting mopey with the help of Smiths producer John Porter. So they convinced him to record Rock N Roll instead, and agreed to release Love is Hell in two parts as a compromise.

The first part came out back in November on the same day as Rock N Roll. The second part arrived a little before Christmas. When you put them together, you get an album that is the polar opposite of Rock N Roll, but every bit as powerful and enthralling.

In fact, with its varied textures and styles -- Pt. 2's moods range from the Jackson Browne folk sensitivity of Afraid Not Scared to the Lennonesque piano rasp of Avalanche -- this 15-track love song to romance, loneliness and Adams' beloved New York City may end up being the best album he never released.

Track Listing