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Product Description
Review
For an artist with such noted prolificacy as Ryan Adams, the release of another album has the tendency to pass the world at large without note. Few outside his hardcore fanbase will be aware he released a solo metal record, Orion, last year; or that in the 11 years since his lauded debut Heartbreaker he's now released a dozen albums, either solo or with his band The Cardinals.
Such frequency of output can often compromise quality control, and to an extent Ryan has suffered from his casual fans burning out - the man once heralded by many as the greatest songwriter of his generation has yet to capitalise on the promise shown by the magnificent brace of albums he started his post-Whiskeytown career with. While dashes of his finest work appear on Love Is Hell (2004), Cold Roses (2005) and 29 (2005), a natural continuation of the rooted-in-country, heart-on-sleeve songwriting of his earliest albums has never really surfaced since. Until now.
That's not to say Ashes & Fire sounds as if it comes straight out of 2001. This is the work of a sober, thoughtful Adams, rediscovering himself. Opener Dirty Rain heralds a chorus vocal as confident as one will find in his entire catalogue. With the track stripped to its core instrumentation, Adams' voice soars - and one can't help but recall the same rush of blood from first hearing Winding Wheel or Firecracker.
The title-track stands up next to some of Ryan's finest material, representing a clear highlight alongside the sombre, late-album gem Kindness. The former number is the closest this record comes to a fist-raising sing-along anthem; while the latter delivers the female-backed, introspective country'n'organ jam that made Heartbreaker so achingly special.
It would do the record a disservice, however, if the shimmering guitars and driving kick drums of the set's mid-section weren't celebrated. Chains of Love oozes the same style that made Love Is Hell a cult classic, and saves this collection from a slump at the moment where his previous efforts have often faltered.
Ashes & Fire is the sound of Ryan Adams replacing himself amongst music's most revered. If you've not had the patience or time to commit to an album of his since 2001's Gold, his acclaimed second LP, there has not been a better time to do so. This is an album that delivers more and more with every listen, showcasing an artist maturing with grace and poise.
--Colin Roberts
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CD Description
Ryan Adams' first solo album to be released on his own PAX-AM label and Sony’s Columbia Records, the album was recorded in LA at Sunset Sound in Hollywood and produced by Glyn Johns, renowned for his work with the likes of The Beatles, Bob Dylan, The Clash, The Who and The Rolling Stones, and whose son Ethan produced previous Ryan Adams albums Heartbreaker, Gold and 29. Ashes & Fire also features Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers’ organist Benmont Tench as well as Norah Jones who sings backing vocals on several tracks, including the lilting, acoustic overtures of "Come Home", the sumptuous ballad "Save Me" and the heartfelt "Kindness". From the country-rock tinged opener of "Dirty Rain", to the piano-led lament of "I Love You But I Don’t Know What To Say" and the acoustic harmony of "Lucky Now", Ashes & Fire is the most cohesive and luscious album of Ryan’s distinguished, critically-acclaimed career.
Ryan Adams is a multiple-Grammy-nominated singer songwriter from Jacksonville, NC whose critically acclaimed and commercially successful albums both as a solo artist and with the Cardinals have included Heartbreaker (2000), Gold (2001), Love Is Hell (2004), Cold Roses (2005) and Easy Tiger (2007).
Ryan Adams is a multiple-Grammy-nominated singer songwriter from Jacksonville, NC whose critically acclaimed and commercially successful albums both as a solo artist and with the Cardinals have included Heartbreaker (2000), Gold (2001), Love Is Hell (2004), Cold Roses (2005) and Easy Tiger (2007).
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
best record he has made in years!,
By
This review is from: Ashes & Fire (MP3 Download)
There used to be a theory that Ryan Adams was too prolific, and lacked any quality control filter. However with the exception of III/IV and `rock n roll' I have always found plenty to like on all his albums. With a bit of a lay off from new music output over the last couple of years, Ryan has come back with what I think is his best album since the `love is hell' period.On first hearing I thought it was a solid 4 star record - with no obviously great songs - but no weak ones either (bit of a first for Ryan!). Having now listened repeatedly, the album has grown on me considerably, revealing some great new textures to the arrangements (especially the organ), and he is in consistently good voice. This turns out to be a much more mature and refined album than I initially gave it credit for, revealing a subtlety that is only revealed when you listen carefully. Absolutely recommended.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
I Love It, And I Don't Know What To Say,
By
This review is from: Ashes & Fire (Audio CD)
Following Ryan Adams has never been easy; his notoriously prolific output and eclectic influences have often meant that to get to the many gems one has to wade through some fairly forgettable dirge. While many of his post-Gold offerings have been overly criticised (Easy Tiger, Love Is Hell and even 29 are all littered with quality songs) the newly focussed Adams' first album since his (by his standards, anyway) extended break is perhaps his best yet. Where his first two solo albums, Heartbreaker and Gold, really grabbed the listener, Ashes and Fire is a subtler affair and all the more rewarding for it, Dirty Rain providing the instant highlight that To Be Toung and New York, New York did for those first offerings. The album has a very soulful, relaxed feel, with the minimalist production and timeless instrumentation really heightening the sense that Adams is back on track to becoming one of the finest songwriters of this or any generation. Vocally he is in superb form, as shines through so brightly on the melodies of Ashes and Fire, Rocks, Kindness, Lucky Now and the heartbrakingly beautiful piano ballad I Love You, And I Don't Know What To Say. I'm not normally drawn to write reviews but, understated and coherent, Ashes and Fire is an album of rare quality and my favourite of 2011.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
At last, he's back,
By FastHand (Harefield, England) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Ashes & Fire (Audio CD)
I don't what demons has possessed Ryan as his albums since "Heartbreaker" and "Gold" certainly have'nt been up to the standards you would expect from a super song writer. I reluctantly purchased "Ashes and Fire" and was very pleasantly surprized. This album is beautifully produced by Glyn Johns famous for his work with the Stones and Dylan and it has certainly brought out the best in Ryan.The songs are of a very similar type all through, ballads and love songs, but because they are so well written it works beautifully. His voice comes from his gut through his heart to capture the honesty of the words that he sings as if he has lived every moment. I really loved this and hopefully he is now back on track and I can't wait to hear more, like the beautifully titled last track "I love you but I don't know what to say" get it and I don't think you'll be disappointed.
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