There are very few perfect rock and roll albums that have ever been released. Nevermind, London Calling and Let it Bleed come to mind as being solid from beginning to end and that is really all that you could ask for in a record. Rock N Roll from Ryan Adams isn’t perfect, but its flashes of brilliance more than make up for some of the filler that appears on the disc. And as the name implies, this “tribute” album succeeds in paying homage to some of the great riffs, styles, hooks and power chords of the past 30 years.
The record kicks off with “This is it” and its wonderfully misplaced drums and segues nicely into “Shallow.” The latter drifts between T-Rex power riffs and Nirvanesque distortion. Adams takes it up a notch with “1974″ and by then he’s warmed up. Feel free to bob your head up and down on the way to the trail head. “Wish you were here” comes next and is a perfect example of what makes Ryan Adams one of the most interesting performers on the scene today. It wouldn’t surprise me if the lyrics were made up on the spot as he played. Some critics will call this song sloppy as the total slacker mentality is quite evident…I call it genius.
“Luminol” stands out as one of the stronger tracks on the record with its heavy bass line and tight power chords played over a mesmerizing synthesizer. If it’s possible to pay homage to a sound, this tune could have appeared on any one of several discs released in the early 1990s. Power pop never sounded so good.
He slows it down a bit with the ballad “Rock N Roll” sounding like something from a Pink Floyd record. A simple arrangement on a piano and Adam openly discussing his self doubt is enough to bring anyone paying attention back to earth. This song has the ability to erase any smile.
Not to worry as he kicks it back up with “Anybody wanna take me home.” This fine song also appears on his Love is Hell record with a different mix and I wouldn’t be surprised if he pulls it out again sometime down the road. “Do miss America” follows and also shines as one of the finer efforts on the record. He closes the record with “The drugs not working” and if there was ever a song that made you want to crank the volume this is it.
Ryan Adams succeeds in delivering a solid rock and roll record from start to finish. Considering his roots are in the alt country genre it shows what a force he is in today’s music scene. Give this record a listen, pick up a copy of Love is Hell or Gold, and keep an eye out for him on tour this year. With three records due from him in 2005 and already five records under his belt since 2000, after all is said and done, he will emerge as one of the major artists of this decade.