What a Juicebag
Listening to: Ryan Adams - 29I've decided (not that it really matters, but just in case you were really concerned) that I'm going to begin simply going randomly through my music rather than in the A-Z format I originally planned. Sometimes I get bored listening to the same artist for a few posts in a row. So now I just close my eyes and click randomly in iTunes. It's science.
Ryan Adams is one of my favorite musicians. I know he can be a major juicebag (I realized I say 'douchebag' too often, so I've been substituting 'juicebag', as it assuages my conscience) but I still love him. And, of course, it is a little weird that he's now married to Mandy Moore, but she used to be cool, right? Sorta? No? Well, we can at least agree that A Walk to Remember was probably the pinnacle of film-making, so that's alright.
I discovered Ryan Adams one day way back in 'ought-three while in Bible school. I stumbled upon Gold and was immediately hooked. Since then, I've picked up every release and have become a bona fide fan. As such a fan, I was at once pleased and displeased upon hearing that he was releasing three albums in 2005; pleased because it meant more to listen to, displeased because that kind of proliferation can only mean less time and effort put into each. Unfortunately, this album was the last of the aforementioned three, and, as assumed, was the least prepared. It's not really that bad, in fact, it's not bad at all, but compared to some of his previous stuff, you can sorta tell it was pretty rushed. I still really like it, though. Of course, I'm a little biased (see: bona fide fan).
Anyway, I like this album. It's got a couple great tunes, some good ones, and some forgettable ones, but overall deserves to be recognized for how good it sounds.
Ryan Adams - 29 ★★★★★✩✩✩✩✩
Favorite Tracks: Night Birds, Blue Sky Blues, Carolina Rain
Least Favorite Tracks: Voices
1. Twenty Nine
2. Strawberry Wine
3. Night Birds
4. Blue Sky Blues
5. Carolina Rain
6. Starlite Diner
7. The Sadness
8. Elizabeth, You Were Born to Play That Part
9. Voices
2 things:
29 is so underrated. Blue Sky Blues, Starlite Diner, Elizabeth, Carolina Rain, Strawberry Wine, Nightbirds...Such wonderful songs, plus how it sounds, his voice, the
production. I don't think the three albums that came out that year suffered at all from all coming out at once. They are three of his best.
Is 29 really on par with something like Gold? I mean, you have to admit that it at least pales slightly in comparison to some of his truly best work. But I will say that it is constantly underrated. I suppose in my case, I simply didn't enjoy it as much as some of his others, and it's probably easiest for me to blame the fact that he slammed out three albums in a year.
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