Ryan Adams "Easy Tiger" (Lost Highway)
By Todd Harrington
Wednesday. Aug 01, 11:23 AM
The record he has been "meaning" to make.

I'll admit that my first introduction to Ryan Adams was with the Gold album and the track "New York, New York." At the time (September of '01), I was working at a Boston radio station, and it seemed like there was some sort of a rule where we constantly had to play songs about New York. I am not hatin' here, just saying Mr. Adams wore out his welcome FAST. Recently, his onstage breakdowns yet increasingly rabid fan base clamoring to get tickets to his shows have had me following further into the "I just don't get it" category.

Feeling in the "minority," I put on Easy Tiger hoping to "get it." Truth be told, it took me more than one spin. What immediately shines is the supporting cast that Adams surrounds himself with. His backing band, known as The Cardinals, return once more (now on their third record with Adams) and really kick. The largely acoustic-based album alternates between quirky up tempo tracks ("Halloweenhead") and down home Southern twangs ("Tears of Gold"), with Adams in fine voice throughout. During the final minutes of of "Two Hearts," Adams seems to be channeling the voice of Jeff Buckley in both range and emotion. Considering he releases what feels like two, three albums a year, it's amazing he has these songs in him that are not lacking in content or energy.

As noted, Easy Tiger did start to strike a chord after a few listens. Fans of his work seem to agree that this is the record he has been "meaning" to make for a while. If you haven't given Ryan Adams a chance, check it out. Or if you are like me and "didn't get it," beg or borrow (don't steal) Easy Tiger and see what it is you may have been missing and decide for yourself. I still don't entirely get it, but I feel like I am starting to... and that is a good start.
www.ryan-adams.com
www.losthighwayrecords.com

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Todd Harrington

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