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LOVE IS HELL PT. 2
Ryan Adams
(Lost Highway/Universal)
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
1. My Blue Manhattan
2. Please Do Not Let Me Go
3. City Rain, City Streets
4. I See Monsters
5. English Girls Approximately
6. Thank You Louise
7. Hotel Chelsea Nights