Album Review: Ryan Adams – Ashes And Fire
Ashes And Fire
Released 10th October 2011
So, it has been quite some time since we’ve heard from Ryan Adams, (not to be confused with Bryan Adams, some people think I’m raving about his latest efforts, I don’t even know if he has any latest efforts). Anyhoo, back to Ryan. The last we heard from him was with his band The Cardinals, but it’s been an even longer wait for a solo album. In fact it has been 6 years. It has been more than worth the wait. Things have obviously changed in the life of Mr Adams and this album demonstrates that quite clearly. Love isn’t hell any more it would seem. There is a much lighter feel overall on Ashes and Fire, but there’s still a real depth of emotion and feeling. This is another heart on sleeve kind of album and it still demonstrates his skill for marrying Blues and Soul with hints at other sounds and eras. The opening track, Dirty Rain, is a beautiful example of the wonderful sounds that are present on the album. It has big hints at Jazz and because the vocal is so soulful it just sounds divine. There is one point toward the end though where I almost wish he’d let rip a bit more of a growly vocal, but I guess that’s not his way and it is passionate none the less.
There’s quite a big nod to the genius that is Bob Dylan on this album too. The title track, Ashes And Fire, is certainly one that falls into this category. Now to say that anyone is as good a songwriter as Bob Dylan is really saying something and I trully believe that Ryan Adams deserves this accolade. OK so the songs might not all sound like Bob Dylan, but lyrically they are equally as poignant and if not at times more beautiful. Do I Wait, is a track that makes me want to curl up into a ball, turn all the lights off and turn the sound up as loudly as it will go. It’s just beautiful, it’s sad, it’s melancholy without being depressing. It can be difficult to get the right balance and often songs which should indeed be emotive can end up sounding just down right depressing. I think the thing that Ryan Adams does, repeatedly, is get this balance right. The chords might be screaming CRY CRY CRY but there’s always those happy notes that lift it, always that beautiful melody and the soaring vocal that picks up just as the right moment.
Don’t scream at me now when I go on to say the following. As songs go that are called Come Home, I’m not entirely sure if this one has bettered one of my all time favourite songs (of unknown placement in a list of about 50). The problem is that as soon as I heard the lyrics and the title it just made me want to listen to the song of the same name by Findlay Brown. In fact, that is exactly what I did. It sends little tingles down my spine to listen to. I know, you don’t have to tell me, why am I even comparing them? Well I’m not really, it’s just it makes me want to listen to it, for me that’s a great thing. I now have two amazing tracks that share the same name and actually, kinda work nicely next to each other somehow. In actual fact they both do share some similarities, the soft pretty acoustic guitar, the intense believable vocal and actually, the chorus isn’t all that dissimilar. Don’t go and fetch the lawyers just yet though. It’s not the same, just similar.
If you’re a regular reader of Popped, then you’ll know how often I bang on about albums that do or don’t contain weak, or “filler” tracks. I would like you all to note that this is one of those, almost rare albums that does indeed feel full. I can’t pick one stronger track over another, I can’t find the weak link. It is a beautiful album and I can see why lots of people are desperate to go and see him. You can certainly add me to that list. To see these songs performed live is going to be one amazing experience I’m sure. Long live Ryan Adams and his solo career.
poppedmusic 