After a lengthy absence (by his own recent standards), could it be that Ryan Adams has pulled it all together and (FINALLY!) released a coherent album from start to finish?

The good news is that he's finally got a band back behind him on this album - and it surely can't be a coincidence that this is the best album he's put together since Whiskeytown. Maybe he needs the tough love of other people to tell him to pull his head in when he head off on a tangent. They (The Cardinals) also take a fair share of the co-writing credits which may be responsible for reigning in his less-than-impressive whiner-rock moments of the past. Hell - maybe they just sat him down and explained that at the end of making a record people then have to sit down and listen to it (and enjoy it!).

Predominantly the Ryan Adams that has shown up on this record (who knows what you're going to get with him...) is the plaintive A.M. balladeer of "Love Is Hell", only with a real band backing him so there's more than 2 minor chords being played over and over: songs like "Beautiful Sorta" (a Replacements styled rip-off from song title down to arrangements) are some of the best things he's done. It doesn't all stick, but there's no denying that he's actually making an effort for a change...

So back on track you say? Even spreading all 18 songs out over 2 discs instead of jamming them onto one is the right move - otherwise it could have been a bit too much.
All in all, I'm actually in shock - I had him pencilled in as the classic 'could-have-been': now I'll have to move him over to the 'still-could-be' pile.

Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. Magnolia Mountain
2. Sweet Illusions
3. Meadowlake Street
4. When Will You Come Back Home
5. Beautiful Sorta
6. Now That You're Gone
7. Cherry Lane
8. Mockingbird
9. How Do You Keep Love Alive

Disc 2:

1. Easy Plateau
2. Let It Ride
3. Rosebud
4. Cold Roses
5. If I Am A Stranger
6. Dance All Night
7. Blossom
8. Life Is Beautiful
9. Friends
10. Tonight - B-Side/Overcut