Rock N Roll
Rock N Roll
Enjoyment of Rock N Roll–Ryan Adams’ follow up to his alt-country hit, Gold–is largely dependant on both your approach to it and your knowledge of rock’s rich history. There’s definitely plenty to enjoy, if you look in the right places and don’t focus so much on others. If you know zilch about music, but love gritty, rough and ready rock with big, fat slices of tunes, crunching guitars and attitude, then this will make you growl. If you loved Gold, but secretly hoped something rockier would emerge after Adams’s much publicised socialising with the Strokes and tribute-paying to Noel Gallagher, then this may be your record of the year. However, if you know your stuff, then you may feel uneasy. Not disappointed, but a little cheated. Why? Because, internal record-company politics and artistic tantrums aside, this is more Ryan Adams “In the Style of…” than anything else. For instance, “This Is It” sounds exactly like a Strokes song would sound, “Shallow” is Definitely Maybe-era Oasis (even down to the stolen T-Rex riff) and “So Alive” is 1980s U2.
That isn’t to say the songs aren’t anything short of fantastic (especially the almost ethereal, emotional “So Alive” (”Today I watched the boats / Moving through the harbour / Walking on water / In your arms I stay”)–great melodies, great guitar work. But you have to wonder, why. Thinking about that can only diminish enjoyment. It’s not his best work, but still damn good dirty fun. –Cortman Virtue
Customer Review: Poor Performance
Rock N Roll…
Well, it’s certainly different but I think that Ryan is just thrashing his guitar here and is not thinking about his lyrics.
The songs themselves lack the special quality that Ryan usually brings in his tunes.
Rock N Roll has a few decent tracks on, but all in all, its not the one for you if you are looking to buy your first Ryan Adams album!
What happened Ryan? I know you were annoyed at your record company, BUT COME ON!
Customer Review: Interesting
I swear the amazon guy who wrote the review read my mind…..!! Exactly what i was going to say – Yes its not Adams finest work – but too many people expect these good singer songwriters to consistantly top what they did last time – losing the appreciation of what they have actually accomplished.
Yes it is true that if you are a music purist – you may not enjoy this as it is not adams writing his ‘own’ music – yes he did write it but with a deliberate attempt to sound like other bands – tribute or not – they do sound like Oasis, U2 Strokes, Green day – and 1974 which sounds awfully like the Stooges ‘1969′.
It is more accessible than his lat rock stuff – and just as enjoyable – just buy it and appreciate it is not the album of his career but listen to some damn good popular rock….
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Turkish Progressive Music in the sixties and seventies
